G’day all,

Progress on planning arrangements for our 20^th Anniversary is moving along at a steady pace. On the suggestion of James (or was it Cathy?); Tony Richards, James and I went in to Perth to check out Miss Maude’s. The venue has a hotel next door with both single and double rooms available and a package at a reasonable price. The food there by all accounts is excellent.

 

The weekend closest to our anniversary, date is Saturday 1^st June and this looks to be the best option. Tony is seeking availability etc. should this be, as is likely, the chosen weekend. Discussing arrangements with a number of members indicates the favourite option is for a Friday and Saturday night stay with the anniversary dinner on Saturday night. The management committee will be discussing arrangements at the September committee meeting for presentation at the general meeting. Please let Tony know your thoughts either for or against before the committee meeting.

 

I have been in touch with Shep Woolley and it is very likely he will be in the West at this time. The Ganges Association will also provide the rum for the toasts.

 

Black Tot Day Lunch 01/08/18

Thanks to the organising skills of Paul Chapman, the Division enjoyed yet another wake for that venerable institution that was the 300-year plus Royal Navy “Up Spirits”. Medical and weather problems reduced our number from 30, but we still had a good roll up of 22. Our guests Phil & Isobel Orchard and Pusser’s envoys Neil McLellen & Mick Guissmann were welcome additions at the lunch.

 

The planned routine went to plan, with “Up Spirits” ably managed by Alex McKinnon commencing proceedings, followed by a great lunch, a short, long oration on Naval Rum by Paul Chapman, Toasts to the Queen & Australia, HMS Ganges and Absent friends by Tony Richards and Brian Thompson respectively and the sale and drawing of the raffles managed by Mary Anthony.

 

Social Sausage Sizzle 26/08/18:

Some 30odd souls turned out for the afternoon, a brilliant sunny day. Sausage sizzle proceedings were ably organised by James Sharkey, and cooked as usual by Gary Foley. Accompaniments such as salads and duff, provided by attenders, also went down very well.

 

It is worth noting that RRNA and the Division are interacting a lot more now than we were originally, although the RRNA disappearing for their meeting tends to split the seating arrangements into two. We have a lot in common after all.

 

Our own Cathy Sharkey ran very successful raffles with both groups winning prizes. However, the rum raffle went to our own Les Simmons who was most pleased. Although I did not note the exact amount both raffle taking were above $100.

 

Division Gatherings for 2018

 

Committee Meetings 3rd Thursday of odd month Commencing 1200 @ FNC	Division Meetings 4th Thursday of odd month Commencing 1200 @ FNC	Social Sausage Sizzles 4th Sunday of even month Commencing 1200 @ RNC
20st September	27th September	28th October	RRNA
15th November	22nd November (AGM)
Christmas Lunch – 1200 Wednesday 12th December @ FNC

 

 

 

True Matelots:

True Matelots: Favourite food is train smash and piss strainers for breakfast.

True Matelots: Have served on ships that are now war memorials, dive sites or other tourist attractions.

True Matelots: Have tattoos and use Old Spice aftershave.

True Matelots: Have pictures of ships in their wallets along with their wife and kids.

True Matelots: Do not curse like fishmongers. Fishmongers curse like true matelots.

True Matelots: Can name 15 bars in Hong Kong, but know the best bars are in Kowloon.

True Matelots: Think a 7-course meal is a pie and a six-pack of beer.

True Matelots: Think their last ship was always better.

True Matelots: Think excessive modesty is their only fault.

 

HMAS Stirling and Henderson Upgrade:

The West is to get a new Hunter Class frigate training and capability centre at HMAS Stirling and in Henderson. With the landmark $35-billion SEA 5000 program winner announced, Western Australia will enjoy a major financial boost with a $670-million redevelopment of Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling to support the development of a crew training centre to be known as ‘Ship Zero’. The new frigates will provide Australia with one of the most advanced anti-submarine warships in the world – a maritime combat capability that will underpin its security for decades to come. The warships will also be larger and have more complex systems than the existing ANZAC Class frigates, and will require new and upgraded facilities at HMAS Stirling.

 

As stated ‘Ship Zero’ will be located at both HMAS Stirling and Henderson and will include; a headquarters, through-life test centre, ship and capability specific training school, and potentially a land based test site for platform systems. ‘Ship Zero’ will transfer an increasing amount of the training that has traditionally been done at sea to land. This will mean each of the new frigates will be able to spend more time on operations and exercising with Australia’s allies and partners, and less time in port for crew training. Parliamentary consideration (If polititions ever get their act together!!!) of this project is expected early next year, with construction to commence in 2019.

 

We were Lucky!

We recognise the sad loss of the “Tot” in 1970 with our Black Tot Day Lunch, but sad as the loss of the tot was, the beer issue remained. The US Navy was not so lucky;

Inheriting Britain’s Royal Navy tradition of providing sailors with a daily ration of rum in the 18th century, the U.S. Navy established in 1794 that sailors were to receive “one half-pint of distilled spirits” a day. In 1806, the Navy encouraged the sailors to accept whiskey as a substitute for the more expensive rum. Sailors who did not wish to imbibe or were under age were paid an extra three to six cents a day. The ration was reduced to one gill (four ounces) in 1842 and eliminated 1862 during the Civil War. The Confederate Navy continued to provide crews with rum rations, believing that the tradition would help recruit much-needed experienced sailors from other nations. U.S. Navy sailors were allowed to keep their own stock of beers and undistilled spirits at the discretion of their commander until 1899, when even the sale of alcohol was banned to “enlisted men, either on board ship, or within the limits of navy yards, naval stations, or marine barracks, except in the medical department.”

 

On July 1, 1914, the ships of the U.S. Navy officially became dry under General Order No. 99. “The use or introduction for drinking purposes of alcoholic liquors on board any naval vessel, or within any navy yard or station, is strictly prohibited, and commanding officers will be held directly responsible for the enforcement of this order”, reads the hundred and four year-old order. Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels issued the order. Daniels, a teetotaller, former newspaper publisher, and supporter of the temperance movement, had already become unpopular with many of those in the sea services. When the order was announced, on April 16, 1914, it was met with derision and mockery in the press, which regarded the policy as an attempt to make the Navy softer. The US Navy only formally banned alcohol until the advent of Prohibition, but it is memorable in that it created in American sailors an insatiable appetite for ice cream. They went wild for ice cream, and it has stayed that way for generations. Ice cream only gained more cultural significance as a salve for low troop morale during the long overseas deployments World War II.

 

 

Why ‘At Loggerheads’

To be at Loggerheads is to be in a state of serious disagreement, a sort of metaphysical butting of heads! A loggerhead was an implement used aboard ship in caulking seams in deck timbers. It consisted of a hollow iron sphere at the end of a shaft. The sphere was heated in a fire and then plunged into a bucket of pitch. This melted the pitch, was then applied to the deck timber seams. A hot loggerhead was definitely something to keep away from and it is likely that the use of these tools as weapons was what was being referred to when rivals were first said to be ‘at loggerheads’.

 

Exercise Kakadu, the largest maritime drill off its kind in the Australian Northern Territory, began on Sunday 2nd September. Held biennially, Exercise Kakadu is a joint exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy and supported by the Royal Australian Air Force.   More countries are attending this year than ever before, with 23 ships, 21 aircraft, a submarine and more than 3,000 personnel from 27 nations participating in a range of activities both ashore in Darwin and at sea.   Participating nations include Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, The People’s Republic of China, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, United States of America and Vietnam.

Exercise Kakadu

 

As was reported earlier, China will take part in Kakadu for the first time by sending one of its warships. Australia has invited China to join the drill in an effort to ease tensions between the two countries, intensified by China’s growing assertiveness in the South China and East China Seas and sporadic altercations at sea between the two sides

 

Why ‘Jury Rig’?

A jury rig is something assembled in a makeshift manner. In sailing ships, it was sometimes necessary to improvise a temporary replacement for an item such as a damaged mast or disabled rudder and thus enable the vessel to keep going until the nearest port was made and the stopgap replaced. The origin of ‘jury’ is not known, but it has been suggested that sailors coined it as a shortened form of ‘injury rigged’

 

RN Snippets:

PHM Atlantico (A140)

Once the flagship of the Royal Navy, “The Mighty ‘O’ “, ex-HMS Ocean left Devonport in July flying the Brazilian flag over a courtesy Union Jack. At a bargain price of £84 million, she is now the Marinha do Brasil’s helicopter carrier PHM Atlantico (A140. Before handing over, she was given a complete overhaul, and was fitted out with new search and surveillance radars, four remote controlled weapons systems and four MK5B landing craft. Her new homeport will be Rio.

 

 

HMS Queen Elizabeth:

On 19 August HMS Queen Elizabeth left HMNB Portsmouth for her first-of-class F-35B flight trials. F-35B trials are an important step in the Royal Navy’s path to achieving a carrier strike group. The deployment, dubbed Westlant 18, will see the carrier spend four months off the Eastern Seaboard of the United States with the aim of developing the parameters for safe operations of the F-35. Prior to her departure, HMS Queen Elizabeth was joined by Merlin Mk2 helicopters, aircrew and support personnel from 820 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) who embarked the carrier to support her forthcoming trials.

 

 

Royal Navy sailors recognized:

The crew of Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring are to be awarded a new medal clasp for bravery shown during Bab al-Mandeb strait escort missions in 2016. Announcing the recognition, the Royal Navy said HMS Daring sailors braved the threat of missile attack to protect merchant ships in the Middle East.   The new medal, named the Gulf of Aden Clasp, has been approved by Her Majesty the Queen and will be introduced for those who served on board Type 45 destroyer HMS Daring during the missions.

 

Point to ponder!

Politicians and nappies have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly, and for the same reason.

 

 

That’s all folks;

HMS GANGES ASSOCIATION

Queensland Division

Newsletter No 61

August / September 2018

 

 Welcome aboard everyone,

 

The first newsletter in over a year, my apologies to all, no excuse just slack….

 

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

For those wishing to renew their membership the following details were provided by the Treasurer

Account is H.M.S.Ganges Association Queensland.

Westpac Capalaba  034080 380466.

 

Members $20.00.    Associate members $5.

 

In an effort to find material for this newsletter I have been scouring the pages of modern Naval magazines and hopefully you will find these interesting …

 

HMS Victory ‘collapsing under own weight’

Britain’s most celebrated warship needs 136 metal props fitted to stop it slowly collapsing under its own weight like a “squashed football”, a hi-tech structural survey has found.

HMS Victory’s deck is sinking towards the keel by a fifth of an inch (0.5cm) each year, while the warship’s sides are bulging out. Two years of precise measurements have found Nelson’s flagship at Trafalgar is also falling backwards, away from the bowsprit and water is getting into the hull.

Metal struts will now be put in to hold the 251-year-old ship up at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as part of a multimillion pound project to stabilise the deteriorating structure. Once the sagging has been halted, work will start on a £35m conservation project set to last 12 years.

Andrew Baines, head of historic ships at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, said: “For the past 40-odd years, the ship has been slowly moving.

“The upper deck has been getting close to the keel at a rate that currently stands at around half a centimetre a year and as the upper deck moves down, the ship’s sides bulge out like squashing down on a football. “The whole ship herself is falling very, very slowly backwards away from the bowsprit, the front end of the ship.

 

“Half a centimetre doesn’t sound a lot, but when it’s been going on for 40 years and it’s accelerating each year it’s concerning. “Eventually it will get to a point when that’s unsustainable. No one is sure if that’s next Tuesday or in 100 years.”

The National Museum of the Royal Navy took custody of the warship on 2012 and engineers using laser scanning have built up a detailed picture of the ship from 89 billion different measurements.

Mr Baines said: “We now have a structural model of Victory and from the model we have been able to understand what is causing the ship to move – to collapse, if you like.

 

“From that finding we know how to stop the problem and arrest the movement and that is where the 136 new struts come in.

“Once we have got her stabilised on this new support system, the conservation programme is going to take us about 12 years and cost £35m. “The most important thing for us to do is work on the ship’s structure to stop water getting in, stop the rot and stop us losing any more really valuable historical material in the ship.”

 

 

More news

Wartime submariner George honoured for missions off occupied France

13/08/2018

Veteran submariner George Crawley became the latest member of our greatest generation to be honoured by the French for his deeds 75 years ago.

Crew from today’s HMS Victorious and Vengeance joined the 93-year-old and his family at HMS Calliope in Gateshead, where the wartime ‘deep’ was presented with the Légion d’Honneur by Brigadier General Herbé Bizeul on behalf of France’s President Macron. George, who lives in nearby Whitley Bay, joined the RN in 1941 at the age of 17 and joined battleship HMS Rodney after completing his training as a signaller at HMS Collingwood. He subsequently volunteered for the Submarine Service and underwent a two-day crash-course – very different from the intensive 25-week training taken by 21st-Century submariners – before thrust into action with HMS Talbot, based in Malta, in October 1943.

He subsequently switched to the Free French Submarine Curie. The boat – complete with canine mascot Radium on board – patrolled off Nazi-occupied French ports in 1943 and 1944. These were, understandably, highly-dangerous missions; Curie was depth charged and, on the surface, engaged enemy vessels with her gun, which George helped man.

Later in the war, he returned to British boats, serving in HM Submarines Universal, Medway and Upstart. He was also posted to HMS Elfin at Blyth where, over Christmas 1944, he got to know Freda while delivering signals to her office. In August 1945, the couple tied the knot.

He received the French decoration for his service aboard the Curie – and like most men of his generation is modest about his wartime service. “This honour is not just for me, but for all of Her Majesty’s Submariners,” he told everyone present, who loudly applauded the veteran off the Calliope parade ground as he left for a private celebration with family, friends and fellow submariners.

“We are in awe of George’s achievements as a submariner, as were all who attended. It was also a great opportunity to meet the people of Tyneside and raise the profile of the Submarine Service,” said Lieutenant Commander Simon Barr of HMS Vengeance, who formed part of the ceremonial guard for the medal presentation.

 

And.. to all our stokers (notice I didn’t say ‘ex stokers’) as I am of the belief that once you’re a matelot, your always a matelot…

 

Happy Birthday !!!!

 

Yes July 2018 is the anniversary of RN Marine Engineering

 

HMS Collingwood celebrates Engineering birthday

20/07/2018

Personnel from across HMS Collingwood came together recently to celebrate the ‘birth’ of the Engineering Branch of the Royal Navy.

Although steam propulsion was introduced to the Royal Navy in 1812, the early ships were manned by civilian engineers employed on an ad hoc basis.

By 1837 with 27 steam vessels in the Fleet it was clear that more formal management arrangements for engineers were needed and so early that year the post of Comptroller of the Steam Machinery and Packet Department was created.

Then on 19 July 1837 an Order in Council was issued placing engineers onto a permanent footing, “with such rank and pay as appears to be fitting for persons charged with the performance of such important and responsible duties.”

It was felt appropriate, especially in the Year of Engineering, that the Engineering section within HMS Collingwood, join with other bases to celebrate the 181st Birthday of the Engineering Branch on 19 July 2018.

The Year of Engineering is an initiative of the Cabinet Office to counteract the potential future shortfall of engineers and specialists in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects and these birthday celebrations seek to raise the profile of engineers and engineering careers within the Royal Navy.

 

“I’m really enjoying my course and I’m proud to have been chosen to cut the cake. I’m delighted to represent the Royal Navy today and I’m looking forward to a rewarding engineering career”

AB Elliott Baird

 

Lieutenant Commander Tim Laurenson organised the event and said, “The UK, home of the Industrial Revolution, finds itself facing a potential shortage of engineers and the Royal Navy, as a main trainer of engineers, has aligned itself to the Year of Engineering initiative. “HMS Collingwood is the main school for Royal Navy Weapons Engineers and this is just a simple little acknowledgment. Today is a celebration of the formation of the Engineering Branch within the Royal Navy and an acknowledgement that these engineers need to be recognised. Let’s celebrate our birthday!”

The event was marked with a splendid cake iced with Engineering sections’ badges and it was cut by the youngest trainee present.

The event culminated in a rousing chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’

 

And to finish on more good news (don’t get used to it)

Royal Marines cuts U-turn: 1,500 troops and assault vessels SAVED

BRITAIN is to retain its ability to land troops on enemy shores by sea after plans to cripple the Royal Marines and axe two amphibious landing craft were shelved.

By MARCO GIANNANGELI

PUBLISHED: 00:01, Sun, Apr 8, 2018 | UPDATED: 12:16, Sun, Apr 8, 2018

The plans, leaked last year, would have seen the Commando regiment reduced by up to 1,500 troops and assault vessels Albion and Bulwark scrapped as part of £20billion cost-saving measures. According to senior sources, Ministry of Defence mandarins have now accepted a new plan, endorsed by Admiral Sir Philip Jones, which promises to deliver the same savings but result in only 450 Royal Marines being axed.

Last night a senior source said: “The Royal Navy has found a way of ensuring the Royal Marines can maintain their operability and amphibious vessels remain in service, for the time being.” The cost will be high, however, and will include the withdrawal of six warships, three of them Type 23 frigates, from frontline service.

These Duke class frigates will be put into “operational readiness” awaiting early retirement, while their critical components are stripped and fitted to the new Type 26 frigates replacing them. A leaked memo seen by the Sunday Express laid bare the extent to which the Royal Navy is having to “make do and mend” due to budgetary constraints.

In one example, it cites the Northumberland, currently in the final stages of a multi-million pound service. Because the upgrading of its weapons systems has taken priority, there has been no money to fix defects in its four diesel engines.

“As is typical of our refits, headline upgrades to weapons systems use the bulk of the available budget,” said the memo. The budgets are so constrained a lot of engineering defects are largely ignored purely due to a lack of funding.

 

That’s it for this newsletter my fine collection of matelots wherever you are in Queensland or the rest of the world, stay safe and somewhat soberish….

 

 

 

 

 

To contact Scotty

Graham Slaney

1 Harlequin Court

BURRUM HEADS Qld 4659

 Phone  0434896017

e-mail scottyslaney@gmail.com

 

 

 

P.S. If you no longer wish to receive newsletters from sunny Queensland, please advise and I will remove your details from the list. Until we meet again, fair winds to you all..

 

Victoria Australia

Chairman: David Lines.   Secretary: Harry Harrison 54, Tamworth Road, KilsythVic 3137

Telephone Harry 03-9728-3200 Mob. 0418809712 Email:rodneyharrison831@gmail.com

MASTHEAD No. 237

Chairman David Lines Opened the meeting, and welcomed all to the meeting.

Birthdays  July Carmel Dingle with whom the Americans share a birthday and David Lines our birthday wishes. A Happy 90th.Birthday to Marj Collins widow of the Reverend Vern Collins who was our Chaplain for a number of years.

Apologies Owen and Carmel Dingle, John and Maureen Hannant, Charles Jenkinson, Albie Cunliffe, and Mark Kinder.

Sick Parade Albie Cunliffe is in ST John of God hospital Berwick he requests no visitors. Ian Thomson Rockhampton Queensland is having medical tests we wish Albie and Ian our very best.

Treasurers Report   $3,762:48

Correspondence Bank Statement. Queensland newsletter, the Buzz from Guzz, WA Hoist. All circulated by email or hard copies. Out: – sympathy cards to Judith Ernst and family.

.   UK Association   Reading the latest minutes all appears to be going well. Gazette is on its way. Frank Raine Jim Reed’s son in law contacted us with a new email address. It was good to hear that Frank and his family are all well.

General Business 1) October Get Together update Chairman David is finalising accommodation with Michelle and Ben. Secretary has put a hold of $200 for the Tuesday and Thursday bus trips. Chairman David explained that all outstanding monies will be collected at the venue.

AOB Harry Kime invited Members to the FNMC Annual dinner cost $40 which includes all drinks.

2) Mike Bennett invited all to the August RNA Bah Humbug it Ain’t Christmas lunch August 12th. Bill of Fare is a Ham and Lamb with special Champagne Christmas puddings for female attendees.

The September lunch will be a Pre- Grand Final lunch 11:30 hrs.Sunday 9th. September2018. Bill of Fare footie pies mushy peas and mash. Cost $15 members $20 nonmembers. Wear your team’s colours .Entertainment by the popular Déjà Vu Bookings  on 0359431967

The Chairman then: – Thanked Joan for a tasty lunch and Barbara Canty for a delicious dessert. Harry Kime for attending the bar. There being no further business the meeting closed12:45hrs

Next Meeting     September 22nd. 2018 at seven bells (11:30hrs.) at FNMC

Thought for the month: – A lot of us would look more spick if we had less span.

Vale Derek Ernst

Ganges 1951

Derek Ernst Crost the Bar after a lengthy fight against cancer. Derek was President, secretary, and treasurer of the South Australian Division at various times and simultaneously on occasions. Derek was a stalwart of the HMS Ganges Association and detertiminedly kept the branch viable despite many obstacles. Derek was born in Norfolk. He had a straight forward approach and expressed strong views in a straight forward East Anglian manner.

Derek played football for Ganges and followed the football especially Norwich. There was always an email or phone call to discuss the football.  Derek qualified as a telegraphist was an instructor at Mercury. He served on a variety of ships including Saint Kitts which was present at the American reenactment of the landings on Guam in 1954.

Our sympathies and condolences are extended to his wife Judith and family.

Derek may the wind be always at your back, the rain gentle on your face and may you find safe harbours.

Vale Derek Ernst..