HMS Triumph: Carrier 1944

[Ernest H]

I served onboard H.M.S Triumph (flagship) together with a flotilla of H.M ships when she paid an exchange visit to Leningrad, the Russian Navy visiting Portsmouth (the Buster Crabb episode, it‘s been in the news again recently). This I believe was in Oct or Nov 1955. I was an S.B.A and the dental assistant to the Surgeon Lt (D) onboard at this time. We were on exercise in home waters, when we suddenly left the exercise and transferred onboard the C in C Home Fleet, and then steamed due North towards Norway, all the crew wondered what was going on until we entered the Baltic, when the Captain explained what was happening and that the Russian Navy was paying an exchange visit to Portsmouth. We were informed that their flotilla of ships should pass some few miles from us at approximately midnight, and when we picked them up a gun salute would be fired. However this is the funny part although it didn’t seem funny at the time, just after Midnight on the radar we picked up a large fleet of ships heading in the opposite direction, and duly fired our gun salute, however it was not until some time later we discovered it was a fleet of Russian merchant shipping, tankers or some such like, and the Russians had in fact already passed us, why we missed them and not the merchant ships I will never know. It could have caused a diplomatiic incident. I could go on all day about our visit which we all classed as a huge success, and I felt privileged to have had the opportunity to meet such wonderful ordinary Russian people during the course of our visit, especially as it was at the height of the 'Cold War'.
Should there be any ex-shipmates who were onboard Triumph or any of the accompanying ships at this time, it would be great to hear from them after so much time, especially if anyone has any photo’s of the visit. I did have some taken by our official photographer onboard but unfortunately they were damaged during some flooding.
On the ‘Pathe News’ website search and you will find the newsreel coverage of the visit.

[jbryce1437]

Thanks for sharing your experience Ernest:)

[herakles]

Me too Ernest. I enjoyed reading that. To have been able to meet the Russian people at that time must have been a great experience.

[The Sailor]

Thanks Ernest, all these sorts of first hand stories are interesting to us.
I have to comment here and ask, with the radar systems available by 1955, just what sort of radar watch was on duty that night to miss a fleet of warships that they even knew would be passing.
Probably a good thing for the captain that the story didn't surface back then.

[Batstiger]

Here are a couple of memories for you Ernest.
I forgot to put the pictures on.
Bob.

[Batstiger]

I'll try again.

[Ernest H]

Thanks for the photo's Bob, they were great, just wondering if anyone had some photo's of the the Triumph when she was at anchor midstream (River Neva) Leningrad. Ernest.

[riordan]

I joined H.M.S. Triumph the early summer of 1946 in Scotland. I was an aircraft mechanic(L). With a skeleton crew we sailed South through the North sea to the EnglishChannel where various aircraft and barrier tests were executed. We had perhaps the first Sea Vampire to land and take off from a small carrier. A short time later Admiral(Lord)Fraser came aboard, all planes were flown, off , a Royal Marine Band was brought on, and we proceeded with our escort destroyer astern to the Baltic. Our destination was Leningrad. At the entrance to the Baltic we were joined by three Russian mine sweepers, that spread out in front with their paravanes out. A channel had already been swept clear, but this was an additional precaution. Also our destroyer escort was stationed behind the sweepers in front of the carrier. Russian bunting tossers (signalers) were brought on board to maintain communication , and one of them was billeted in our mess. He was astonished by the food he was offered; after he had finished his soup he thought that was the end of the meal, until we gave him the second course. We finally arrived at our anchorage in the Gulf of Finland laying off Kotlin Island near the dock of Kronstadt,which was the naval base of the Russian Baltic Fleet. The warship, October Revolution lay off nearby. It was an old dreadnought, the flag ship of the Baltic Fleet. Theirs and our bands swapped anthems.
We exchanged money, on board ( they gave us twice the normal rate of exchange) and got ready to hit the shore. They would not allow our liberty boats to go to the dock, and we did not allow their boats alongside the carrier, consequently our boats took us half way,we transferred to their steam pinnaces (old) that took us the rest of the way. The dock and the town was a shamble. There was at least one ship (cruiser?) dockside that had been partly sunk ( stern under water) with men living aboard. The roads were wrecked, there were great holes everywhere, they had been pounded. We went to a park and bought a beer that an old woman hand pumped out of a drum into what appeared to be jam jars. It was horrible. Later we met up with some Russian sailors and we went into cafe(?) bare wooden tables and chairs, a single lamp swinging overhead. I said I would buy the first round, I had changed lots of my money and we had got a good rate of exchange. There were five of us, two Russians, and we were brought some glasses of vodka and some dry bread to go with it. I did not have enough money! One of the Russians brought out of his pocket a wad of bills you could choke a horse with and paid up the difference laughing. I cannot remember whether we had seconds. Some of the Russians could speak English, it was apparently taught in schools. We arrived back on the ship without incident, I heard of others that did not! Transferring liberty boats half way is OK going ashore but not so good returning. Our ship could not go up the channel to Leningrad, so we were taken to the city on a Russian mine layer. Opposite the dock where we landed was a large apartment building in which lots of girls lived. They were hanging out the windows waving and shouting. We got aboard a bus and were taken to The Leningrad Memorial Museum. The bus could not get to the front door of this building as the road was being rebuilt, women hauling great rocks around, so we had to walk several hundred yards. The city was in great need of repair but the priority appeared to be to get this museum going before anything else. It was quite a place. Hero aircraft slung from the ceiling, all kinds of weapons, trucks, boats, and dioramas of the way the trucks crossed th frozen lake and other actions and all this with audio. There had been loudspeakers set up in the streets during the siege broadcasting martial music while explosions could be heard in the background. After the museum we were taken back to the dock to return to our ship.We waited a long time and nothing was going on.We had had nothing to eat since breakfast and we were hungry. My buddy and I decided to go look for something to eat. We walked off the dock and down the street, watching out for holes, until we came to a brightly lit store front.We went inside and it was crowded with sailors mostly from the mine layer that was to take us back to our ship. Everybody was drinking vodka or beer or something. We were greeted wildly and quickly set up with glasses of vodka. We told them we were hungry not thirsty and they laughed and said drink up.After about half an hour ,a large number of the sailors got up and we all went back to the mine layer. Now with everyone aboard we set sail back to our ship. One of the sailors with whom we had been drinking and knew that we were hungry, invited us down to their mess. And that is what it was, a mess!! They sat us down at a table and produced some black bread with some kind of fish stuff on top. One went off somewhere, boiler room perhaps, and came back with two cups of warm water into which they put a couple of spoons of sugar and said “eat, drink, is good” . It was not! but we ate and drank anyway. They were very considerate of our well-being, and this was their normal rations. No wonder that the signaler in our mess was surprised.
In 1949 the museum was closed but reopened ln 1989 with the name, State Memorial Museum of Leningrad Defense and Siege.
In 2006 I was on a cruise ship visiting St.Petersburg. We passed close to Kotlin Island but I did not recognize any part of it, There were a few small patrol ships evident.
In Tallinn, Estonia there were several navy ships of the Baltic countries in dock. I was told they were on an annual multi national patrol. They were mine sweepers, did not look at all like the old ones. I asked if they ever found mines, they said “yes, we sink them”

[The Sailor]

Riordan, you put a lot of work into this post old chap. I have only just noticed it. I hope others now will. You deserve a five star rating for this post and for your memories.
You are the first member to receive five stars for a first post.

Here are a couple of pics of your ship.

[herakles]

This is an excellent post Riordan. I did enjoy reading it. What a time you lot must have had.

I was in that town in 1990 and I assure you that not much had changed from what you describe. The food was almost inedible (I remember being served green meat) and everyone was blind drunk on vodka. The only place I could eat well was in a black market North Korean restaurant, seemingly full of men wearing dark glasses.

The exchange rate was a laugh. I didn't have enough pockets for the roubles I was given.

[cissystar650]

Brilliant Riordan, what a great read, thankyou!

I too visited Leningrad in 1980, the year that Russia was getting ready to host the Olympics. It was one big building site!

[astraltrader]

I too would like to thank you for one of the most interesting posts I have yet seen here. It echoes my belief that once you get past all the politics the Russian people are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality...

[mik43]

For anyone inerested, TRIUMPH's full service history forms part of Neil McCart's book 'The Colossus Class Aircraft Carriers 1944 -1972' available from www.navybooks.com and before anyone asks, I work for neither McCart or Maritime Books!!

[NSR]

Looking for some information to help grandson with his homework I stumbled on this website and what should have been a two minute check became an hour and a half of enjoyment. Riordan's description of the Triumph's visit to Leningrad was particularly enjoyable as I served in her in a later commission. Other threads brought back memories and had the lamp swinging gently.

Having been promoted to the exalted rank of Leading Stoker (They hadn't added the word Mechanic at that time) I was dispatched to Chatham to do the 'hard lump' (Leading Stoker's Course). This included attacking various odd shaped pieces of metal with hand tools, hence the name. On completion a number of us were drafted to Triumph for a Mediterranian commission and sailed for Malta, via Glasgow to pick up the aircraft, in April 1949. After a brief spell in dry dock we commenced working up trials with the two squadrons attached to us. These were 600 and 627 Squadrons. One flew Seafires and the other Fireflys but at this distance of time I can't remember which was which.

The first Sunday in Grand Harbour was a new experience. As a Roman Catholic (actually I am C of E but that's a long and complicated story), when the pipe, 'RC and Non-conformist church parties muster at the Starboard gangway' I duly made my appearance in my whites. Another Leading Stoker, Jock Gibson, was there and we chatted as we went ashore. We landed at Lascaris Wharf, turned left and began climbing up Crucifix Hill. Part way up it dawned on me that Jock was going to the Non-conformist Church so I asked where the Catholics went. 'They go the other way through the Victoria Gate', was the reply. A quick about turn, dash down to the Wharf and through the Gate, consternation - no Catholics to be seen.

I walked up the road a short way and asked a Maltese passer by where the Catholic Church was. (Readers who know Malta will now be falling about laughing. I am told that there are 365 churches and the only day they don't have a Saint's Day is in Leap Year) He took pity on me and took me to what turned out to be Valetta Cathedral. Having come this far I decided that I should attend Mass and went in. At the appropriate point in the service a collection was taken and, being in the usual impoverished state, I felt in my pocket for the smallest denomination coin that I coud find. This turned out to be a threepenny piece which I deposited in the plate. I was surprised to find that I was given tuppence h'apenny change. Looking along the pew I saw that each person in turn was giving a h'apenny or getting change for larger coins.

Ruminating on the strangeness of 'foreign parts' I repaired to an open air bar on Kingsway and took solace in a couple of Blues while enjoying the sunshine and a small band playing the popular tunes of the time. A gentle stroll back to Lascaris and the seven bell boat, Sunday dinner followed by feet up and a good book completed the day.

The next Sunday, being fully aware of my error the previous week, I stayed with the RC church party when we landed. We went through the Victoria Gate but then turned sharp left up some steps that formed a side turning leading to a different part of Kingsway. About three quarters of the way to the top was a church, The Stella Maris, which was used by the Navy. At the appropriate moment the collection was taken and once again the smallest coin I could locate was a threepenny piece. This time I didn't get any change.

It was about this time that the Amethyst escaped down the Yangtse and the Communist Army was approaching the New Territories. On our trips down the 'Gut' the bar-girls and taxi-dancers told us that our Autum cruise to Italy and the South of France was cancelled and that we would be going to the Far East. Two weeks later the Admiralty confirmed this and sent the Ocean out to take our place in the Med.

A year later we had left Ominato in Japan on the first leg of our journey home when North Korea invaded. We were diverted to join up with the Americans and were involved in patrols and air strikes in support of the land forces. Our last operation was the troop landing at Inchon. When we returned to Sasebo we were relieved by Thesus. Thesus was equipped with Sea Furies so I think that Triumph's Seafires were the last Seafires to be operational in a war theatre. Others with a Fleet Air Arm background may be able to confirm or correct that.

Thanks for the opportunity to wander through memory lane. I will have to locate my ditty box and see if the moths have left any of the photos. I didn't own a camera in those days so most of the shots are from the ship's photographer.

[astraltrader]

Welcome to the forum and thank you very much for your slice of life aboard the Triumph and of course about Malta. I feel sure that any photo`s you have stashed away in your ditty box would be of great interest to all in the forum...

[John Brown]

NSR

Welcome to the forum. I look forward to seeing any pictures and posts that you might make.



Regards...John

[Batstiger]

Yes, welcome to the forum NSR (there must be a name somewhere in that title!)
A typical ex matelot, can spin a good yarn and still retain a sense of humour, we could do with a lot more like you!
We all look forward to some more yarns and some old photies when you unearth them from your ditty box.

Cheers for now,

Bob.

[NSR]

Thanks for the kind words, I will do my best. To sign off for this week perhaps the following may prove a beautiful bed time story.

Many years later I served aboard Pincher, an Algerine Class Minesweeper, attached to the 4th Minesweepers at Harwich. Each year we would be assigned to Fishery Protection duties during the Autumn period. We had taken a Lloyd's Surveyor to a trawler that had gone aground on the north coast of Iceland. The crew had been taken off by the Icelandic Patrol Boat, Thor, and the Surveyor was looking into the possibility of salvage. We called in to Akaueri (I hope that I have spelt it correctly) which was the second largest town in Iceland and had a population of about 8000 people at that time.

I went ashore for look round but there was very little to see so, after a brief call at a local hostelry which served weak beer, I returned to the ship. One of the stokers asked me if it was worth going ashore and I told him, 'Not really, but there are two cinemas, the Byo and the Neu Byo, and the latter has a good film on called Anna'. I had seen it in Chatham and enjoyed it. Anna was played by Silvana Mangano and it was either about a nun who became a night club singer and got involved with gangsters or the other way round. At this distance in time I can't remember the details but it was a well made thriller.

The stokers went off ashore and reappeared about three hours later with the words, 'Where's that B***** Mechanician?' I stuck my head above the hatch and asked what the problem was and got the reply, 'The film was in Italian with Icelandic subtitles and we couldn't understand a B***** thing'. Of course, when I had seen it in Chatham it had been dubbed in English. A rapid retreat to the 'tiffies mess seemed appropriate.

Oh! NSR, I also have an interest in railways and live in Staffordshire - North Staffordshire Railway is also an interest.

Ken

[Batstiger]

Thanks for that Ken, what part of Staffordshire?

Bob.

[jbryce1437]

This is a photo of Triumph with aircraft aboard c1950, off Korea. In my time in the RN she had been converted to a heavy repair ship and was based at Singapore.

[astraltrader]

As JB mentioned Triumph was converted to a heavy repair ship. Here is one photo before conversion and one after...

[NSR]

Thanks for the views of Triumph, they are new to me. I have done a quick check and found a number of photos showing her in Malta, Istambul and Subic Bay. There are also pictures of aircraft, including some prangs, that were available from the ship's photographer, (I didn't own a camera in those days), so they may already be archived somewhere. There are also some pictures of HMS Charity, our crash boat, when we were on passage through the Indian Ocean. As it was the height of the monsoon season she had a rough time.

I also have a photo of a jet landing on a Colossus class carrier, bought from the same source. I was told that it was the first jet landing on a carrier and the carrier was the Ocean. If I can master the technique I will add some of them to this mailing.

The question about where in Staffordshire - near Burton upon Trent but I'm not a native of the area.

[Stan.J]

Hi! NSR,
I too remember the hard lump at Chatham...A rough burnt chunk of mild steel which we had to make perfectly square using only a hammer a chisel and file and the use of a file card. When we had just about finished, getting a nice smooth finish, some b......r would come along and when you were not looking would wipe his hand across it. Of course if you to touch it once again with the file it would slip because of the grease from the B`s palm.
Then we make a funnel and a bucket which they used in the barracks for sand and fire buckets. Ah! memories.

[NSR]

I have a correction to my first post. When we were relieved in Sasebo in 1950 it was the Ocean not the Thesus - memory playing tricks. Looking through the photo archive there was a picture of Ocean complete with Sea Furies. At least it was another Colossus Class so I got that bit right.

As for the hard lump, the presence of oil on the metal was worse when you were using a hammer and chisel and the chisel slipped. I remember the instructor's words, 'If your hands are not covered in blood for the first week you've learned nothing, lad'. But he was all heart really, he opened the First Aid box and gave me a sticking plaster and didn't charge me for it.

Ken

[Ernest H]

Thanks for the photo's, I was a Sick Berth Tiffy onboard 1955-56, there is a tread of mine on the forum of when we visited Leningrad during that period.

[kc]

Indeed, this most interesting thread in fact:

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=675

[Robert McDougall]

If there is one thing good about a naval apprenticeship training, its the filing. I was a stoker in the RNZN during the seventies. Basic training was filing a block of black steel square alround, then drill and tap a couple of holes in it, thats for a stoker. The apprentice training got more involved with have to file lumps to shapes that fit together, in both directions. i felt it was excellent training, makes you look after files and hand tools. I soon worked out that best bet was use a 12" Bastard right to the line and finish with a smooth, and not to bother with draw filing. Railway apprenticeships will give similar training.
By the way keep your anecdotes coming, these I feel are important as it people that makes an organisation work.

[NSR]

This series might be of interest as the pilot claimed, 'It came apart in my hands, Chief'. It was particularly galling as he had picked up the arrestor wire beautifully. Still, the handlers managed to replinish their spares lockers with out too much trouble.

The inciden occurred while on exercise before the Korean war. Once the war commence the wings received the black and white United Nations markings.

Ken

[burgybonce]

I was drafted to Triumph as part of the crew who steamed her out to Singapore to begin life as a repair ship.I think it was late 1966.There was high drama and tragedy on the way out.
A superheated steam pipe burst in the forward boiler room filling the boiler room in seconds with unbelievably hot steam.The steam supply was shut off from the aft boiler room but it was too late for the watch members.The heat was so intense it had buckled the door to the boiler room and it took two hours to get in.The officer of the watch was found behind the door with his shoe in his hand,obviously trying to open the door.Two more were found on the footplates and two others in the bilges.They had been virtually boiled to death.
You only remember the good times normally but I remember that bad time very well.
Dave

[astraltrader]

Some photo`s I have taken around the same time as Kens...

[NSR]

Frankly Dave, that gives me the shudders. At the time I was in Triumph I was a Leading Stoker and was a throttle watchkeeper in the forward machinery space where that would have taken place. Because of the unusual machinery layout there would be the two boilers, the starboard main engine, an evaporator and a turbo-generator, all with their operators in the one pressurised compartment. That would account for the high number of victims. As you say, not a good memory.

Ken

[NSR]

Terry, which ship is that? I don't recognise the side armament so it can't be a Colossus Class. We were lucky. We only had one catch fire during the commission but I believe that the fire crew saved the pilot.

Ken

[astraltrader]

There is nothing on the back of the photo`s other than Korea. I thought it was probably Theseus...?

[NSR]

The reason that I wonder if it is a Colossus Class is the size of the twin turrets in the sponsons. They look quite large. I don't remember anything that big in Triumph (It might be old age creeping on). The attached photo shows one of the sponsons that carried a Bofors after we had sustained typhoon damage off Hong Kong; a wave decided to fall on it and burst the side out.

Ken

[Patwalker37srpen]

Dear Riordan,
I remember well going to Hong Kong for 14 days leave in April 1965 along with 5 other Marines because they had a vacancy for six ranks to go with them.
We spent the whole time on the way up from Singapore chipping and scrapeing the flight deck and then painting it with `non slip green` Because of the wind across the deck while in transit we ended up with green legs.
Triumph had by this time undergone major alterations and had machine shops and compartments on the Flight deck as this picture shows. She was notoriously top heavy because of this extra weight and I well remember the anxious moments when we sailed into a typhoon and the cable deck had to be closed off because of the amount of water being shipped. In fact some of the waves were coming over the front of the flight deck so far was the ship plunging and dipping into the sea. In the end for safety the Captain diverted away from the storm and the worst of the weather went by, but it was still a bit unnerving.
I also recall well there was a Maltese NAAFI manager on board who was definitely `gay` and he had a habit of playing requests for us Marines on the ships radio system in the evenings. One he thought very funny was the Beatles song at the time `I want to hold your hand ` Our reply song because of the amount of painting and the fact we were in 40 Cdo was `40 Shades of Green `

[astraltrader]

Great post and picture Pat. Many thanks for sharing it with us.

[tonclass]

Superb shot, Pat. Much better than the diddy version I have....

[diver]

hi guys can't believe i am actually putting pen to paper after all these years, a bit about myself i joined service in dec 1947 royal arthur then anson-vernon-sw/frog school - osprey-pembroke, joined triumph 6 april 1949,21 april triumph was recommisioned ( all from memory)

sailed for far east, trecherous weather bay of biscay into malta 5-5-50 to 4-8-50 prior to this clyde 25-4-50 to 28-4-50, bouyed up in grand harbour, said goodbye to hms ocean all hands on deck marine band played 'we'll meet again' as we did thru to port said 6-8, suez 8-8 to 9-8, down to aden 12-8 to 13-8-50
there is of course the daily goings on aboard between all this and my own experiences as a td2/swd/seaman, my secondment to sabawang in 1949 to terror 1950 to ominato 4-1950to 8-1950

i am believed to be only living survivor of that assignment of 6 personnel i was the youngest, to say the least it was a harrowing experience, travelled the length of japan, no food-or money and a 2 day trip but more of that later.
much has been written and published about the triumph far east deployment and the korean war, a lot of it repetative, some of it ''iffy' to those of us who were there a totally different story, finally does anyone know what happened to l/s taylor ship diver?

look forward to your comments and more of my stories and experiences to come

diver

cp m.a.c. pub 2008

[astraltrader]

Welcome to the forum diver - we look forward to reading your stories!

[nigelweysom]

hello Diver , i to look forward to you stories , but may i ask if you could perhaps avoid the 3 letter abbreviations us landlubbers don't understand them
thanks in advance
Nigel

[herakles]

You are welcome diver. I'm sure you have some interesting tales to tell.

[diver]

many thanks for the welcome! yes many more stories & experiences to come,

regarding the short version or abreviated words, part of navy slang ie ab-able seaman, t.a.s.- torpedo anti submarine, each branch of the service has its own interpretation of there working enviroment or daily routine, i am writing to ex crew members via the forum to share experiences with them (triumph) the majority of them will understand the terminology.

will write back soon

diver

[diver]

Merry christmas to all moderators and admin staff and may you have a prosperous new year greetings and happy new year when it comes from scotland

just to bring an update to my first post, here is some of my experience serving in Royal Navy

divers diaries 2nd july 1948 - 1st dec 1948 (copyright 2008)

before moving forward, i will take a last look back at incidents that were significent in my service career.
we arrived at portsmouth harbour station from pembroke (chatham) for part of the t.a.s. course (torpedo, anti submarine for you know who!!) i won't go into the initial settling period in the series of lectures, we had been issued with s42 a4 notebook, we had already completed the explosives (practical and theory) mines (theory circuits arming etc) torpedo tubes theory, and we were now on torpedos,along with the jotters we had available to us manuals which covered just about everything to do with the subjects, on top of that we copied all the lecture material (blackboard and comments given by c.p.o.walker t.a.s.v

as in any class there were different levels of learning, there were some who had an isatiable appeite to absorb it all, i always - if possible sat at the back of the class and i was one of them, the others grouped themselves in the middle, you always new them there hands were up before the question was finished, the cheif in his wisdom always asked those first by name who were a little way behind if no one answered then the question was put to the others one of his sayings was '' do we all understand!'yes sir, of course a lot didn't, including myself, it was difficult at times listenning, jotting notes and drawings at the same time, the problem was, we were miles ahead of the lecture material, we had the manuals and were drawing schematic diagrams, along with exploded views of every part of the subjects. we discussed all this between us-especially in the dorm. to advance our learning.
we knew the theory by heart, every copact mines function, the jotters were inspected by the training officers regular intervals, on this occassion i was called by the c.p.o. to stay back in class, i was marched to the trianing office, stood in front of the officers, one of whom was ''THUMBING'' through my exercise book. ordinary seaman thompson!! you are in extremely serious trouble! you have bean teaching parts or in full all of the said manuals without permission the subjects being under the offical secrets act section so..........and so.............. this is confidential and restricted information what have you to say!! i couldn't speak at first well!! i traced nothing you will notice its a different scale, and was drawn free hand sir! it was done only to further my learning sir! no one said i could not copy it at that he ripped the pages from my jotter was about to hand me the now useless book then said ''CONFISCATED'' about turn, i made my way back to the dorm, the chief said nothing, of course the boys knew something was wrong, so i told them, their books were much the same, (at this time i was having problems in another place which just compounded the situation...................more of that later. i wrote my parents and told them that i was in serious trouble and may be 'PUT OUT OF THE SERVICE'' that was the inference.

Next day at class, there was a distinct lack of hands going up, as for myself i just lost interest in it all, every time the c.p.o. mentioned my name, i just shook my head, we didn't know where we were with all this. at the end of the lecture the c.p.o. summonoed me to the front of the class, 'more trouble' ordinary seaman thompson, sir! you are a bright lad, but there is not a requirment at this stage in your career, for you and others to know any of this advanced material, the navy only expects you to have a general overview of the subjects being taught. i just couldn't take all this in, do you understand! YES SIR! i was all to hell-DISMISSED! i headed back to the dorm some of the guys getting ready to go ashore and ironing there gear come on tommo! so i went down to the drying rooms to get my dhobing, pulled the rails out b*****s my dickie fronts and socks were gone, borrowed a front but i didn't go with the guys, mainly because i was t-total ended up in the naffi service club with a lot on my mind as it was- ''the andrew'' made sure in the months to come that all aspects of my career would cease.

i never saw or worked on torpedos in the RN nor ASPICS which i will talk about later, at the same time as this was going on i was doing another course when i left the service (invalided out). I got a job in the dockyard, as a crane driver unloading railway wagons of stores at the worksheds, during my lunch break i noticed this thing like a cigar 'glinting' in the sunshine it was sitting on a cradle on rails, i hopped the lines across and yes it was a mk 8 two star torpedo, unknown to myself i had been working right next to the service sheds, i saw the supervisor, told him breifly the story, he obviously knew what i was talking about, could i have a small tour at tommorrow lunch break, i saw it all bench together the semi diesel engines-guidance systems and all the rest, 'want a job? its good money!' i thanked him knowing that all this was still classified!! needless to say i was late back and my crew were waiting for me, in trouble again! but what an experience!! so my advanced learning could of got me a job in a subject i loved, such is life outside the service

to come s.w.d.

hope to hear from you all soon, and more of my service experiences to come

diver

[jbryce1437]

Interesting stuff Diver, keep the stories coming:D

[diver]

just to bring an update to my first post, here is some of my experience serving in Royal Navy

divers diaries 2nd july 1948 - 1st dec 1948 (copyright 2008)

before moving forward, i will take a last look back at incidents that were significent in my service career.
we arrived at portsmouth harbour station from pembroke (chatham) for part of the t.a.s. course (torpedo, anti submarine for you know who!!) i won't go into the initial settling period in the series of lectures, we had been issued with s42 a4 notebook, we had already completed the explosives (practical and theory) mines (theory circuits arming etc) torpedo tubes theory, and we were now on torpedos,along with the jotters we had available to us manuals which covered just about everything to do with the subjects, on top of that we copied all the lecture material (blackboard and comments given by c.p.o.walker t.a.s.v

as in any class there were different levels of learning, there were some who had an isatiable appeite to absorb it all, i always - if possible sat at the back of the class and i was one of them, the others grouped themselves in the middle, you always new them there hands were up before the question was finished, the cheif in his wisdom always asked those first by name who were a little way behind if no one answered then the question was put to the others one of his sayings was '' do we all understand!'yes sir, of course a lot didn't, including myself, it was difficult at times listenning, jotting notes and drawings at the same time, the problem was, we were miles ahead of the lecture material, we had the manuals and were drawing schematic diagrams, along with exploded views of every part of the subjects. we discussed all this between us-especially in the dorm. to advance our learning.
we knew the theory by heart, every copact mines function, the jotters were inspected by the training officers regular intervals, on this occassion i was called by the c.p.o. to stay back in class, i was marched to the trianing office, stood in front of the officers, one of whom was ''THUMBING'' through my exercise book. ordinary seaman thompson!! you are in extremely serious trouble! you have bean teaching parts or in full all of the said manuals without permission the subjects being under the offical secrets act section so..........and so.............. this is confidential and restricted information what have you to say!! i couldn't speak at first well!! i traced nothing you will notice its a different scale, and was drawn free hand sir! it was done only to further my learning sir! no one said i could not copy it at that he ripped the pages from my jotter was about to hand me the now useless book then said ''CONFISCATED'' about turn, i made my way back to the dorm, the chief said nothing, of course the boys knew something was wrong, so i told them, their books were much the same, (at this time i was having problems in another place which just compounded the situation...................more of that later. i wrote my parents and told them that i was in serious trouble and may be 'PUT OUT OF THE SERVICE'' that was the inference.

Next day at class, there was a distinct lack of hands going up, as for myself i just lost interest in it all, every time the c.p.o. mentioned my name, i just shook my head, we didn't know where we were with all this. at the end of the lecture the c.p.o. summonoed me to the front of the class, 'more trouble' ordinary seaman thompson, sir! you are a bright lad, but there is not a requirment at this stage in your career, for you and others to know any of this advanced material, the navy only expects you to have a general overview of the subjects being taught. i just couldn't take all this in, do you understand! YES SIR! i was all to hell-DISMISSED! i headed back to the dorm some of the guys getting ready to go ashore and ironing there gear come on tommo! so i went down to the drying rooms to get my dhobing, pulled the rails out b*****s my dickie fronts and socks were gone, borrowed a front but i didn't go with the guys, mainly because i was t-total ended up in the naffi service club with a lot on my mind as it was- ''the andrew'' made sure in the months to come that all aspects of my career would cease.

i never saw or worked on torpedos in the RN nor ASPICS which i will talk about later, at the same time as this was going on i was doing another course when i left the service (invalided out). I got a job in the dockyard, as a crane driver unloading railway wagons of stores at the worksheds, during my lunch break i noticed this thing like a cigar 'glinting' in the sunshine it was sitting on a cradle on rails, i hopped the lines across and yes it was a mk 8 two star torpedo, unknown to myself i had been working right next to the service sheds, i saw the supervisor, told him breifly the story, he obviously knew what i was talking about, could i have a small tour at tommorrow lunch break, i saw it all bench together the semi diesel engines-guidance systems and all the rest, 'want a job? its good money!' i thanked him knowing that all this was still classified!! needless to say i was late back and my crew were waiting for me, in trouble again! but what an experience!! so my advanced learning could of got me a job in a subject i loved, such is life outside the service

to come s.w.d.

hope to hear from you all soon, and more of my service experiences to come

diver

[jbryce1437]

Welcome back Diver. You have already posted your dit here:
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2838
Best to keep them all on one thread.

Jim

[astraltrader]

Thanks Jim - I have combined the two!

[dayerb]

I was also on this goodwill visit to Leningrad on HMS Chieftain? wonderful trip we were treated
like film stars by the Russian public they could not do enough for us, we had a mishap on the way there whilst refueling the pipe came adrift covering the
ship in oil and we had to dock to clean it all off ( not a very nice job ) cannot remember where we docked? but great visit?

[diver]

Hi guys, sorry to be so late but you know what like it is when you get to '30'!!, i am still working on my next chapter, going back to basics will try and get it finished this week and you can read all about it.

speak soon

diver

[Batstiger]

Great to hear from you again Diver, it's about time you dug out some old photies to share with us as well as the stories.

Cheers, Bob.

[Linton]

On behalf of a member of a different website I am looking for a a good side view picture of this ship when she was the cadet training cruiser 1953-1955.
I am sure one of you will be able to help.

[alanbenn]

Linton, there was no 'cruiser' called Triumph, the only Hms Triumph of the 1950's was an Aircraft carrier.

If that is what you are looking for then there are a few decent photo's of her on the Carriers of the Royal Navy thread.

Regards
Alan

[Batstiger]

Thanks for that Alan, I was beginning to think that the old brain cells had finally given up the ghost.

Bob.

[alanbenn]

Well, me too Bob, I thought I'd missed a ship somewhere along the line.:p


Regards
Alan

[qprdave]

Obviously, Not a Cruiser but:-


1953 After her Korean service Triumph was selected as the replacement for HMS Devonshire as a Cadet Training Ship. She carried two terms each of 100 RN and Commonwealth cadets on three cruises each year, in the Spring to the West Indies, in the summer to Scandinavia and around the UK, and in the autumn to the Mediterranean.

During deployment in Mediterranean took part in rescue work after fire in the troopship ss EMPIRE WINDRUSH off Algiers whilst on passage from Singapore.

1955 Visited Leningrad with HM Cruiser APOLLO.

1956 Relieved in Training Squadron by HM Destroyer CARRON and HM Frigates VIGILANT and VENUS.

[Linton]

I was merely copying the post from a different website.I knew Triumph was a carrier,buy I believe the cadet training ship had always been a cruiser before.
I will look at the thread you have mentioned.

[Batstiger]

Thanks for that Dave, by the way HMS Apollo is or was a minelayer. I joined her when she got back from Leningrad. Apparently it was a great run ashore.
There was a cruiser HMS Apollo which became HMAS Hobart. She was broken up in Japan in 1962.

Bob.

[Jan Steer]

and the Leander class frigate APOLLO too of course.

best wishes
Jan

[Linton]

I could not find any decent pictures of her as a carrier.

[ObiWanRussell]

How about these?

[alanbenn]

Linton, I will check the thread as I'm a bit shocked there are no decent ones......
meanwhile here are 2 from my collection....hopefully decent enough.


Regards
Alan

[mik43]

Obiwan and Alan, thanks for those pix of the old girl, not seen those before, so I hope you don't mind that I've added them to my small, very small, collection

Mik

[alanbenn]

Mik, no prob's and thanks for the acknowledgment, much appreciated.

Alan

[Linton]

Thank you for posting the pictures.I will pass on to my contact that some have been posted and we may get a new member.

[astraltrader]

This is an interesting photo of her after conversion.

[alanbenn]

Yet again.........2hours......15 downloads of 2 photo's.....1 comment.

I really do give up:mad:

alan

[Wafu]

HMS Triumph was a battleship of the swiftsure class.Launched in 1903.
http://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/hms_triumph.htm
If I remember rightly our Triumph finished her days as a Fleet Repair
Ship after being converted in the mid 60's

[astraltrader]

Yes I posted a picture of her after conversion a few posts above!

[qprdave]

Thanks Terry for the picture

I did try and use the "Button"

Seems that you have to spread them around a bit. It wouldn't let me give you another one. Seeing there is only a few people that post pictures regularly, it won't work. I don't know if that can be sorted out

[harry.gibbon]

Re the 'button' yep I have experienced the same restriction... wanted to give regular credit where it was/is due and behold I was thwarted... Damn

Little h

[Juan90]

I remember going on board Triumph late 69 or early 70 to see some mates of mine in Singapore....
.... definately looked like a carrier then.:D

[Jan Steer]

Triumph was converted to a heavy repair ship presumably as some sort of replacement for Ausonia. I remember being alongside her in the early seventies in HK whilst onboard a destroyer. We had our meals onboard Triumph too as she and her people coped with our assisted maintenance period.

best wishes
Jan

[sierra hotel]

hi from Ray....anyone seen this one before, kinda neat, gotta be good story behind this one, or a date??

or leaving Russian waters.... I THINK... enjoy

[tjstoneman]

TRIUMPH visited Leningrad in October 1955 - possibly that was when these photos were taken?

[navalis]

I would agree with tjs -
In October 1955 Russia and the UK navies, made 'exchange' visits -
two Russian cruisers, the Sverdlov and Aleksander Suvorov, accompanied by 4 Skory class destroyers visited Portsmouth, whilst at the same time, the Triumph, accompanied by the Apollo, Decoy, Diana, Chevron and Chieftan went to Leningrad.

[AndyA]

I dug out a few pictures of my first ship HMS Triumph.. A salutory experience for a JREM2... The delights of Nee Soon, Bugis Street and Sembawang indispersed with midnight leave and 6am cross country runs every morning.


Various shots of HMS Triumph around the Singapore straights and one of her anchored in Kilindini Harbor, Mombasa where we had a 6 week paint job

By the time I was 18 I had seen a large chunk of the world and suddenly had absolutely nothing in common with my old civilian friends.

Here are a couple of reminders for those who were there ;)