THE WEBSITE OF THE MARINERS MAILING
LIST.
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.
We welcome contributions for this page - send to Debbie Beavis or Ted Finch
20.04.02ef