HMNZS Achilles: Explosion Onboard - Portsmouth June 43

[Ceylon-Medals]

Greetings Everyone:

I am currently researching the circumstances surrounding (and the aftermath of) the explosion aboard HMNZS Achilles, in June 1943, while being refit in Portsmouth Harbour.

Attached, FYI, is the recommendation for a King's Commendation for Brave Conduct for one of the dockyard mateys involved.

Does anybody happen to have any information on this explosion, or know where some could be found? Although interested in learning about any aspect of the explosion and its aftermath, I would particularly like:

a) to find a photograph showing the aftermath of the explosion; and

b) identify exactly in which dry dock (or along side which jetty) the explosion occurred.

Cheers,
and thanks,

Glen,
In Our Dominion of the North

[patroclus]

Jack Harker's book "HMNZS ACHILLES" gives a full account of the explosion at Portsmouth (gas leaking from welding equipment) but, unfortunately, does not state which dock she was in and there is no photo.

[Ceylon-Medals]

Thanks very much. I appreciate that.

Does any one know if the log for Achilles still exists? I wonder to what extent it was kept up during the refit. My thinking is that it might, at least, indicate the jetty/dry dock employed before she rang-off "finished with engines"!

Cheers,

Glen,
In Our Dominion of the North

[Old Salt]

Sorry I do not have any more info for you.

Have you read the thread I posted in the NZ Navy section -- 'RNZN Albert Medal' ... your 'dockyard matey' was in fact a Kiwi ..... his son has also posted in that thread.

Brian

[Cpl of the Gangway]

Has any one tried for more information from the Portsmouth Newspaper.

www.portsmouth.co.uk

You usually find there is some one about that will remember all this.

[Old Salt]

Has any one tried for more information from the Portsmouth Newspaper.

www.portsmouth.co.uk

You usually find there is some one about that will remember all this.

Hi ! Thanks for the suggestion ! I have had a quick search but found nothing.
I will have a good search later on. Ziz time calls me now.

Brian

[harry.gibbon]

A further bit of info about the incident:-


---------
LEADING STOKER William DALE AM, NZ 4861

The explosion in a fuel tank on board HMNZS Achilles at Portsmouth on 22 June 1943, which killed 14 dockyard workers, might have claimed more lives had it not been for the prompt and courageous action of members of the cruisers’ crew.

A dozen men owed their lives to Stoker First Class William Dale, of Waimate, Engineroom Artificer William Vaughan, RN, of Durham, England, and Stoker First Class Ernest Valentine, RNZNVR, of Ohakune.

After finding that all smoke apparatus was in use, Dale tied a handkerchief over his mouth and went down three decks into a smoke filled space. With complete disregard for his own safety, and working in pitch dark, he found four injured men and passed them up to safety. He then went up on deck for a breath of fresh air before re-entering the fuel tank that was the seat of the explosion. With Dale went a dockyard worker named Rogers. Between them they rescued two men who were hauled clear by ropes. Those rescued said afterwards that, without the New Zealander’s help, they would not have survived. For his actions Dale was awarded the Albert Medal, the only member of the New Zealand Navy Forcers to receive this rare decoration during the Second World War.
----------
extract from:-
http://www.navy.mil.nz/naval-reserve/naval-reserve-history/default.htm

Little h

[Old Salt]

Thanks Harry

I have already posted that in the thread 'RNZN - Albert Medal' in this NZ section.

Perhaps the Mods might like to join the two threads ?? ( same incident )

Brian