MARINERS

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The Good Old Days
A Miscellany of Memories
 


Round about 1948 the electrical  school HMS Defiance previously the torpedo and mine school, trained Devonport  ratings .

It consisted of  the Amdromeda, a later Victorian Cruiser (Black Hull ,yellow funnels), the WWI supply ship Vulcan ( tall funnel and masts) and the sail/steam hulk Inconstant that I believe took the young Prince of Wales , Victoria's son  to India in 18 something.
All three were moored together on the Cornwall side and there was a shore station ( mines and torpedos I think) reached by a regular dinghy service.
There was a flash looking Captain's dinghy  that I manned for about three months following completion of training .
Installed in the Andromeda engine room ( huge reciprocating engines all whitewashed over) was installed a modern cruiser electrical ring main system for training. Most people slept in hammocks.

There was a canteen with two or perhaps three billiard tables , very tricky on a stormy night with a harbour swell.

The tender Redwing was attached for service as a torpedo recovery vessel. We trainees had to do night mooring watches aboard her.

It all must have gone by the early fifties as I later was sent to Collingwood from the submarine branch for advanced electrical courses.
It would be shame to forget such an interesting  training establishment.

Peter Hulme Taupo, New Zealand.



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20.04.02ef