- Home
- HMS Devonshire
- HMS Devonshire 1964- 66 Commission
HMS Devonshire 1964- 66 Commission
- By Robby G
- Published 05/6/2008
- HMS Devonshire
- Unrated
Marine Electrical Department
At the start of the commission we were all pretty “green” and the smallest defect meant hours of soul searching. We very soon received our Baptism of Fire—at least that’s what F.O.S.T.’s smoke bombs looked like—and flood—remember the Gear Room flood?; in a dry dock of all places. We lost count of the number of times the Fresh Water Pump space forward got flooded but we became efficient—fast. Water troubles again when the evaporators raised their ugly heads and flushed their cloudy deluge over the evap. pump motors, once again proving that 440 V. and water are not really compatible. A little game of draughts was next on the agenda and this was won by the M.L. section with a very crafty move—”K” run down pump to the washing-up machine. Take the washing-up machine motor to the flooded port evap. Remove the port evap. coil drain pump and the winning move was to fit the washing-up machine motor in its place.
Several little hitches were encountered during the commission, e.g., the engine protection circuits were an impossibility for the Chief E.A. (you really are too fat to get under that gearbox, Chief)—leave it to “LEM” Webb. Taff (**** the pump!) O’Brian found he couldn’t speak Chinese but after living with the washing machine in the Laundry for a few weeks got by quite well with his “French”. Then there was the time Hughie threw a fire pump at the starboard H.P. air compressor and had to call on our No. 1 slinger for assistance (never did find out where he swiped those docky’s overalls).
We had our share of runs ashore, after the old heave-ho with shore cables or making the Ship a dazzling display with floodlights or Awkward Circuits (should those names be reversed?) and when an attack of hangover or other allied endemic sailors’ diseases resulted, Chief could guarantee a cure by sending us into the Boiler Box “to lamp up”, he said.
The department
had one or two “Black” patches like the first trip (that was the operative word as far as gas generators are concerned) to Hong Kong on Nigh Speed Gas. It was disastrous, All took their turn to put those Aliens on again. They’ve settled down nicely now, thank goodness.
A special mention, too, for our Switchboard Watchkeepers, a task which most of the juniors have had to do and carried out uncomplainingly and well. They’re the best tea-makers in the section!
In sports we excelled. Our football team only lost to the Upper Deck in the final (the final of what we’re not too sure, but still, they’re good). We won the Captain’s Cup twice at Deck Hockey but after that someone pinched L.E.M. Murray’s (Goalkeeper) glasses, we were “seen off” for winning the cup outright.
After the Gala at Simbang we thought of changing the name of Faraday’s Swimming Rule to Upward’s Swimming Rule. There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that he is fitted with fins and webbed feet.
Several of the stall excelled at indoor sports while others became TV. personalities, such as Screaming Lord Latto, and we all remember how Dick Deadeye Webb scuttled H.M.S. “Pinafore” (at last).
All things considered (pressure of work, hangovers, heavy dates, Egyptian P.T., etc.) the department performed very well in the most of the Ship’s activities and had representatives in all the Ship’s teams. Our best sport was Golf where L.E.M.’s Mooney, McCarthy, P.O. Stirling and Lt. Webb all sportingly agreed to play in Div. 2 of the DEVONSHIRE “Open” so as not to cause embarrassment by beating the Captain or Cdr. Shand,
A very successful season was had in the advancement stakes. Almost all the division moved up a rate whilst the Ship was abroad, which was most gratifying to all concerned.
In conclusion it could be said that the “Moles” worked and played hard “but”—well they did, anyway. We had a lot of fun, tears and sweat and now some of us are away to new ships to start again.
We wish them all good luck in the future.
At the start of the commission we were all pretty “green” and the smallest defect meant hours of soul searching. We very soon received our Baptism of Fire—at least that’s what F.O.S.T.’s smoke bombs looked like—and flood—remember the Gear Room flood?; in a dry dock of all places. We lost count of the number of times the Fresh Water Pump space forward got flooded but we became efficient—fast. Water troubles again when the evaporators raised their ugly heads and flushed their cloudy deluge over the evap. pump motors, once again proving that 440 V. and water are not really compatible. A little game of draughts was next on the agenda and this was won by the M.L. section with a very crafty move—”K” run down pump to the washing-up machine. Take the washing-up machine motor to the flooded port evap. Remove the port evap. coil drain pump and the winning move was to fit the washing-up machine motor in its place.
Several little hitches were encountered during the commission, e.g., the engine protection circuits were an impossibility for the Chief E.A. (you really are too fat to get under that gearbox, Chief)—leave it to “LEM” Webb. Taff (**** the pump!) O’Brian found he couldn’t speak Chinese but after living with the washing machine in the Laundry for a few weeks got by quite well with his “French”. Then there was the time Hughie threw a fire pump at the starboard H.P. air compressor and had to call on our No. 1 slinger for assistance (never did find out where he swiped those docky’s overalls).
We had our share of runs ashore, after the old heave-ho with shore cables or making the Ship a dazzling display with floodlights or Awkward Circuits (should those names be reversed?) and when an attack of hangover or other allied endemic sailors’ diseases resulted, Chief could guarantee a cure by sending us into the Boiler Box “to lamp up”, he said.
The department
A special mention, too, for our Switchboard Watchkeepers, a task which most of the juniors have had to do and carried out uncomplainingly and well. They’re the best tea-makers in the section!
In sports we excelled. Our football team only lost to the Upper Deck in the final (the final of what we’re not too sure, but still, they’re good). We won the Captain’s Cup twice at Deck Hockey but after that someone pinched L.E.M. Murray’s (Goalkeeper) glasses, we were “seen off” for winning the cup outright.
After the Gala at Simbang we thought of changing the name of Faraday’s Swimming Rule to Upward’s Swimming Rule. There is absolutely no truth in the rumour that he is fitted with fins and webbed feet.
Several of the stall excelled at indoor sports while others became TV. personalities, such as Screaming Lord Latto, and we all remember how Dick Deadeye Webb scuttled H.M.S. “Pinafore” (at last).
All things considered (pressure of work, hangovers, heavy dates, Egyptian P.T., etc.) the department performed very well in the most of the Ship’s activities and had representatives in all the Ship’s teams. Our best sport was Golf where L.E.M.’s Mooney, McCarthy, P.O. Stirling and Lt. Webb all sportingly agreed to play in Div. 2 of the DEVONSHIRE “Open” so as not to cause embarrassment by beating the Captain or Cdr. Shand,
A very successful season was had in the advancement stakes. Almost all the division moved up a rate whilst the Ship was abroad, which was most gratifying to all concerned.
In conclusion it could be said that the “Moles” worked and played hard “but”—well they did, anyway. We had a lot of fun, tears and sweat and now some of us are away to new ships to start again.
We wish them all good luck in the future.