RN Naval Base: Singapore

[airlana]

Perhaps this thread should be in the RN Forum, but I think there is enough revelance to start here with Australian Navy.
During the post war years hundreds, if not thousands of RAN personnel [not forgetting our RN friends] and many an RAN ship would have passed through the base.

The Singapore Naval Base dates well before WW2 when the British Government built the base and dock to service their Far Eastern Fleet. Consideration had been given to other locations including Sydney, Hong Kong and Trincomale but in the end Singapore was selected. Taken over by the Japanese, it reverted back at wars end to British control. Covering some 40 sq miles it was the largest naval dockyard/base outside the UK. 1971 saw the base handed over to the Singapore Government and nowdays it’s use is mostly for commercial shipping due to the Singapore Navy’s move to it’s new base near Changi Airport.

The aerial photo below was taken probably around March 1962. Dad was on HMAS Melbourne at the time and the carrier visited Singapore then on it’s Far East Cruise and Sea Devil Exercise.

I’m not the best at navy ship recognition and that’s where some help is needed.

The large carrier at the bottom of the photo, I presume is HMS Victorious with the V deck letter. She was in the Far East 1961/1962.

The smaller carrier, bottom left, I thought may have been HMAS Melbourne but there’s no deck letter M visible and the white[?] stern has me puzzled.

As to the third carrier at right, I have no idea. Thought it may be the troop transport HMAS Sydney but March 1962 doesn’t fit for her being in Singapore. What other carriers without angled flight deck were around the Far East then? Or maybe my date of March 1962 for the photo is incorrect.

As for the other 20 odd ships in the photo – well there’s a challenge. But seriously, any help with identifying the carriers would be appreciated.

Apart from that, I hope the photo brings back pleasant memories to those who passed through Singapore around that time.

Ash/airlana

[fearless_rs]

There is a photo that I have seen although not recently of the basin in Sembewang with a full house of, FEARLESS or INTREPID, 1 County class 3/4 Leanders, 1 Aussie Daring with B mounting missing, and a couple of RFA's, plus the LCUs from the LPD at the bottom of the picture. I dont know the Time line but wonder if its round about the same as your aerial photo.

[mik43]

Wel done ash, but has anyone got an aerial pic around 1950??

Mik

[astraltrader]

Excellent picture Ashley. I also agree with Mik that it would be interesting to see an aerial picture of the base from around 1950 and I would also be interested to see the same shot taken as it is today.
I bet it would almost be unrecognisable.

[kookaburra]

The smaller carrier, bottom left, I thought may have been HMAS Melbourne but there’s no deck letter M visible and the white[?] stern has me puzzled.

Ash/airlana

Ashley, pretty sure that is HMAS Melbourne. The white stern is a deck awning arrangement that both Melbourne and Sydney [maybe RN ships also] used on Far East deployments. You can see it below in these Melbourne pics at the Tamar basin in HK. I've seen pics of the same thing used by Sydney in Vietnam 'Vung Tau Ferry' days. Cheers, K.

[John O'Callaghan]

Airlana.I'm not a ship recognition expert but the carriers that come to mind are Bulwalk or Albion.
Cheers John O'C.

[Powers]

Re; the two RN carriers in the very interesting aerial shot of Singapore at post 1. As already suggested, the Victorious is at the bottom of the shot and the commando carrier Bulwark (or possibly Albion) is at top right. Helicopter landing spots are fairly prominent on the commando carrier. Regards ....Paul

[airlana]

Wel done ash, but has anyone got an aerial pic around 1950??
Mik

Excellent picture Ashley. I also agree with Mik that it would be interesting to see an aerial picture of the base from around 1950 and I would also be interested to see the same shot taken as it is today.
I bet it would almost be unrecognisable.

Here you are Terry, as it is today, thanks to Google Earth. Most of the earlier buildings are still there with new ones on what was open land. The wharf layout seems little changed except for the extensions.

Early photos seem elusive, but there is one from 1953 on the RAF Seletar Assoc website.

I recall seeing an aerial photo of the King George VI dock and surrounding area taken before the fall of Singapore. Probably in one of my books - will have to go and search.

Ashley/airlana

[airlana]

Ashley, pretty sure that is HMAS Melbourne. The white stern is a deck awning arrangement that both Melbourne and Sydney [maybe RN ships also] used on Far East deployments. You can see it below in these Melbourne pics at the Tamar basin in HK. I've seen pics of the same thing used by Sydney in Vietnam 'Vung Tau Ferry' days. Cheers, K.

Thanks Jeff. I should have known that but didn't twig. Maybe I'm experiencing a pre 'seniors moment':)

Airlana.I'm not a ship recognition expert but the carriers that come to mind are Bulwalk or Albion.
Cheers John O'C.
Re; the two RN carriers in the very interesting aerial shot of Singapore at post 1. As already suggested, the Victorious is at the bottom of the shot and the commando carrier Bulwark (or possibly Albion) is at top right. Helicopter landing spots are fairly prominent on the commando carrier. Regards ....Paul

Good work guys and thanks. Providing my date of March 1962 for the photo is right, then it's the carrier HMS Bulwark. Too early for Albion.

Ash/airlana

[astraltrader]

Thanks Ash for the 2009 picture.

[mik43]

Hi ash

Had a look at the RAF etc site but couldn't find an aerial pic at all, which surprised me - plenty of buildings, the odd MCU craft, rogues gallery, but no aerial!!

Mik

[airlana]

Hi ash
.................... but no aerial!!
Mik

Scarce as hen's teeth, Mik.
I've searched books and the net with not muck luck.
Quite a few early photos of the King George VI Dock but no aerials.

Must be some somewhere

Ash/airlana

[Kevin Denlay]

The images below show aerial photos of the Singapore Naval Base while still under construction. From the book; The Rise and fall of the Singapore Naval Base by W David McIntyre.

The other is a recon shot from 1945.

You will also find aerial photos of the naval base circa a February 1945 US bombing raid; prior to bombing, during bombing and after bombing at the following links. Of note is the floating drydock, afloat pre bombing, then burning furiously, and then another of it settled on the bottom. There are many photos there from the raid, just click on film strip at bottom of their page.

PS. You may have to copy and paste the links to get them to open.

www.footnote.com/image/29022448/Bombing|Force|Photos|US|malaya|WWII|Air|malayas/#29022222

www.footnote.com/image/29022448/Bombing|Force|Photos|US|malaya|WWII|Air|malayas/#29022573

www.footnote.com/image/29022448/Bombing|Force|Photos|US|malaya|WWII|Air|malayas/#29022513

www.footnote.com/image/29022448/Bombing|Force|Photos|US|malaya|WWII|Air|malayas/#29022243

[Bear]

The 1962 photo doesn't include HMAS Sydney. She paid off in 1958 and was not back in operational commission until July 1963 when she re-commissioned as a fast troop transport.
I was at the Singapore Dockyard many times during my service in the RAN in the 60s and early 70s. It was indeed an amazing place.The dry dock gates were blown off and the machinery destroyed by the RN before captured by the Japanese. This was not fixed after the Japanese surrender and the old dock became what was known as the 'Stores Basin'. It was large enough to tie up many ships. The RN depot attached and a few miles up the road was HMS Terror and there were restaurants, wet canteen, swimming pool and extensive sports' grounds to go with the barracks. We used to run from the dockyard to the depot, swim 30 laps of the pool and either run or take the free bus service back in time to start work in our ships. Oh to be still that fit--or perhaps make that stupid. The memory of that sort of exercise in the tropics makes me wince these days.
I thought the base passed into the hands of the US navy some time after the British left, but I could be wrong about that.
Here is a link to photos of the dockyard. Of special interest are the pictures of ships in the old dry dock.

http://www.hmsgangestoterror.org/Terror/SingaporeDockyard.htm

[Kevin Denlay]

.The dry dock gates were blown off and the machinery destroyed by the RN before captured by the Japanese. This was not fixed after the Japanese surrender and the old dock became what was known as the 'Stores Basin'.

If the above in bold is correct, and we are talking about the KGVI drydock then the Japanese repaired that drydock ASAP after capture by them (Feb 1942) and then used it throughout the war. (There are many photos of IJN ships in that drydock during the war.) And it is my understanding that the 'Stores Basin' is on the opposite side of the base to the KGVI drydock. That is, it is shown in the 2nd image across that I posted above, no?

[airlana]

Thanks Kevin for posting those. Some interesting ones too of the USAAF bombing.

Bear, I have read the the US Navy used the base/docks when their ships visited Singapore. This was after the British left in 1971, but don't recall they took it over as such.

Your dates re HMAS Sydney are spot on, and although the carrier in question did look like Sydney, I eliminated that possibility in the opening post "March 1962 doesn’t fit for her being in Singapore" as at that time she was undergoing refit as a troop transport.

Some good photos in the site you linked, thanks for posting.

Ash/airlana

[Jan Steer]

re post no 1: Is that HMS Centaur in the stores basin?

best wishes
Jan

[Kevin Denlay]

Just to answer my own question from my previous post, and clarify the relative positions for those that haven't been there, as i thought the Stores Basin is on the opposite side of the base to the Drydock and an 'entity' unto itself, rather than being the 'unrepaired' drydock as was suggested.

I have read the the US Navy used the base/docks when their ships visited Singapore. This was after the British left in 1971, but don't recall they took it over as such.

As for the USN, whether they ever 'officially took it over after the Brits left I am not sure, but it is my understanding that the certainly 'ran' the facilities for many years, as a friend of mine, A USN Captain now retired, oversaw the dry docking facility for many years in the early 70's and his superiors were USN.

[Bear]

If the above in bold is correct, and we are talking about the KGVI drydock then the Japanese repaired that drydock ASAP after capture by them (Feb 1942) and then used it throughout the war. (There are many photos of IJN ships in that drydock during the war.) And it is my understanding that the 'Stores Basin' is on the opposite side of the base to the KGVI drydock. That is, it is shown in the 2nd image across that I posted above, no?

Uh...crikey, you are quite right. My memories of 40 odd years ago were faulty in the extreme.

[John O'Callaghan]

I was in Singapore a couple of years ago and as best I can tell part of the old dockyard and living quarters is now a Singapore Naval Base and much of the rest is now a civilian ship repair business.Privatised I Guess.
Cheers John O'C

[Rushy]

I believe all the bars along the strip have long gone

[Bear]

I went back to Singapore about 5 years ago, but didn't visit the old naval base unfortunately. My understanding from other ex-sailors that have been there recently is that the old 'Melbourne Bar' and one other still exist. Apparently Sembawang itself is now mostly housing estate instead of the old village that many of us recall from years ago.

[John O'Callaghan]

Bear Old Son. The Singapore we new in the 'Good Old Days' is long gone.The days when you caught a Taxi at the Base and drove for miles through Villages and Jungle to the City.Now the journey is through (high rise) Suburbia.There are acouple of watering holes in the area but everything is much changed.
Cheers John O'C.

[oldsalt]

In 53 if you wanted to go into Singapore you caught a bus, it took ages, if you stayed ashore all night you would be charged with leave breaking unless you had a bed chit from the Nuffield. :o:o:(:)

[alexrad]

Here's a photo taken in 1976. I can't remember where I downloaded it from.
I do recall, that the Pommie frigate next to Vampire had had it's turret replaced by an Ikara launcher.
The other photo was unusual for the time, the Basin being nearly empty.

[astraltrader]

We have already featured a clearer example of this particular picture in a post from Kookaburra [Jeff].

It can be found first post in this link...

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4249&highlight=singapore

[Dreadnought]

The images below show aerial photos of the Singapore Naval Base while still under construction. From the book; The Rise and fall of the Singapore Naval Base by W David McIntyre.

The other is a recon shot from 1945.

You will also find aerial photos of the naval base circa a February 1945 US bombing raid; prior to bombing, during bombing and after bombing at the following links. Of note is the floating drydock, afloat pre bombing, then burning furiously, and then another of it settled on the bottom. There are many photos there from the raid, just click on film strip at bottom of their page.

PS. You may have to copy and paste the links to get them to open.

www.footnote.com/image/29022448/Bombing|Force|Photos|US|malaya|WWII|Air|malayas/#29022222

www.footnote.com/image/29022448/Bombing|Force|Photos|US|malaya|WWII|Air|malayas/#29022573

www.footnote.com/image/29022448/Bombing|Force|Photos|US|malaya|WWII|Air|malayas/#29022513

www.footnote.com/image/29022448/Bombing|Force|Photos|US|malaya|WWII|Air|malayas/#29022243
Thanks for the links Kevin ... perfectly compliments my posts regarding the floating dock and it's history at Singapore.

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showpost.php?p=85590&postcount=89

Here is aerial view of the docks taken 1967

[Teuchter]

Thanks Jeff. I should have known that but didn't twig. Maybe I'm experiencing a pre 'seniors moment':)




Good work guys and thanks. Providing my date of March 1962 for the photo is right, then it's the carrier HMS Bulwark. Too early for Albion.

Ash/airlana

Spot on about it being Bulwark - I served on her 61/62 on a FSC (Foreign Service Commision) and our "Home" Base Port was Singapore.

As to the Albion she relieved us in Aden in September or October 62

[CYLLA]

Looking in the foreground i notice a sub , any names ???would it have been a Australian ,in post 24..

cylla

[Dave Hutson]

Could have been Cylla. However, if I remember rightly we had a Depot Ship in Singers at that time with her own chicks.

[CYLLA]

Hi Dave H , YEP i remember FORTH and Mull-of Kintyre out there , thou the last time i went out to there to the far-flung was in 71/72, and i dont remember seeing the Forth, who had a many chicks in 1966.

Got a inkling the only last vessel was the Triumph....could be wrong..

cylla

[Dave Hutson]

Think you were right on Triumph.

By 71 of course the ANZACS had taken up residence - I was there 72/74 on Lynx. The RN was getting into it's rundown stage at that point.:(

Happy days. [Don't I recall we still had a Navy of some size in those days].:rolleyes:

Dave H

[harry.gibbon]

My recollection regarding the tender for 'boats' in Singapore 1964-66 is that a landing craft type vessel HMS Medway tended to the needs of SM7 the resident squadron, which comprised 6 'A' boats and 1 'O' boat, the Oberon, during that period.

I don't recall any of the traditional depot ships like Maidstone, Adamant, Tyne or Forth being there at that time.

Little h

[Dave Hutson]

Me neither Harry. I think Triumph was a Destroyer suppoort ship all same Ausonia in Malta. Can't recall which S/M Depot Ship was resident in 62/64 but the Squadron was the 7th.

Another mystery that will be solved no doubt.

Dave H

[culverin]

Triumph left Singapore for the last time latter end of 1971, a few months after the disbandment of the Far East Fleet. Glamorgan lead this final review, and yes it was pretty impressive, whilst Eagle, as flag, was on her final deployment before returning for disposal in 1972.
We, Glamorgan, had accompanied Eagle as her principal escort since leaving Guzz (Devonport) on 1-6-1971 and a great time was had by all, but parted company late 1971.
Glamorgan later met up with Triumph and Minerva in South America early 1972.
I have many pics taken of assorted ships in the basin at Sembewang during this period, but they are all slides.

[ekd]

I have many pics taken of assorted ships in the basin at Sembewang during this period, but they are all slides.

Have you ever considered a "35mm Slide (transparency) to Digital" scanner, to convert the images? They are about £40. If this is not worth the investment, there are companies who will do it for you.

Hope this helps.

[ekd]

Triumph left Singapore for the last time latter end of 1971, a few months after the disbandment of the Far East Fleet. Glamorgan lead this final review, and yes it was pretty impressive, whilst Eagle, as flag, was on her final deployment before returning for disposal in 1972.
We, Glamorgan, had accompanied Eagle as her principal escort since leaving Guzz (Devonport) on 1-6-1971 and a great time was had by all, but parted company late 1971.
Glamorgan later met up with Triumph and Minerva in South America early 1972.
I have many pics taken of assorted ships in the basin at Sembewang during this period, but they are all slides.

Culverin, since I suggested digitising the slides, I've tried to replicate some of my slides, by looking at them in a cheapo slide viewer, and using my camera to take a close-up shot of the image in the viewer.

The results are not bad. Attached are 3 pics of typical quality of the process.
Considering all the slides are very old, its not a bad result for the zero cost.

The first is M.E.(1) Keith Edward Flower, "Taffy" later an SD officer, Clearance Diver, one of my best mates on the Diana; in the Stores basin, with the Vampire in the background. June/July 1963.

The second one is of me, with H.M.S. Lincoln coming alongside, in the same Stores basin Singapore, around the same time.

The 3rd is myself again, with the Vampire in the background. Not bad pics, saying they are nearly 48 year old slides!

I'm going do my whole slide collection (around 200) like this, and post them somewhere later.
hope this helps...

[culverin]

Thanks ekd for your advice and suggestions re my dilemma with slide pictures.
However my problem is aggravated in that i purchased this minolta camera when we (Glamorgan) arrived in the Fez 1971 but it was one of those mini spy type cameras Mi5 or Mi6 use and the slides themselves are miniscule, not the normal type, and have given me all sorts of issues trying to copy the image to something approaching visible size.
Lots of pics in the Sembewang basin including RAN and RNZN ships, especially Otago and assorted RAN frigates plus the usual RN suspects, but i think i am stumped here.
Thanks again, but how come the Lincoln is looking like something straight out of the builders, their forecastle party must have been working overtime, not that they would have been paid for it, either that or had maybe just come from Honkers and Jenny's side party had been to town on her !

[ekd]

.. but how come the Lincoln is looking like something straight out of the builders, their forecastle party must have been working overtime, not that they would have been paid for it, either that or had maybe just come from Honkers and Jenny's side party had been to town on her !

Yes, that Lincoln was one fine looking ship at that time. No answers for you, though.
Sorry, I always remember her looking quite sharp, but know nothing about her movements in general.

[rab.m.]

My recollection regarding the tender for 'boats' in Singapore 1964-66 is that a landing craft type vessel HMS Medway tended to the needs of SM7 the resident squadron, which comprised 6 'A' boats and 1 'O' boat, the Oberon, during that period.

I don't recall any of the traditional depot ships like Maidstone, Adamant, Tyne or Forth being there at that time.

Little h
Forth arrived sometime in '66.I was on Triumph when she moored ahead of us just of Terror.Happy,happy times,never to be seen again.

[Forester]

The Singapore Naval Base was formally handed over to the Singapore government in 1968 and leased until the "withdrawal" in 1971, after which it was used by ANZUK. There may well have been a USN presence there during that time but the base was owned by Singapore and administered by ANZUK. USN ships were 'customers' but had no command control of the facilities. An agreement between the United States and Singapore in 1990 extended the USN's access to the base facilities and Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific (COMLOG WESTPAC) command has been headquartered in Sembawang since 1992.

[oldsalt]

My first view of Singapore Dockyard was very brief, 1100 arrived alongside in Tyne, bag & hammock over the jetty, join Unicorn, sailed at 1500. I had just kept 1st dog & middle & surprise, surprise, I picked up the same watches again.

[ceylon220]

HMAS QUIBERRON and QUICKMATCH were there when I was there in `59, they seemed to be regular visitors to the base in those days,often wondered what became of these two ships,were they sold off or scrapped after their service with the Australian Navy, Had some good runs ashore in S`pore with lads from these 2 ships----happy days!

[astraltrader]

I have this picture of Singapore taken around 1935 that I thought might be of interest....

[ekd]

That's a cracking picture, Terry.

Is it of the 'Roads', rather than the Naval base, I wonder?

Someone will pipe up, I'm sure.

[astraltrader]

Thanks Ed - in fact there was a caption with the picture that simply said "Singapore Harbour around 1935".

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi Ekd
It's probaly the roads as the dockyard was either brand new or still under construction and with all the chinese boats in the foregroung they were most likely for unloading the cargo ships anchored in the harbour. If it is the dockyard you would probably be able to see Malaya across the water.

Mitch Hinde

[ekd]

Hi Ekd
It's probaly the roads as the dockyard was either brand new or still under construction and with all the chinese boats in the foregroung they were most likely for unloading the cargo ships anchored in the harbour. If it is the dockyard you would probably be able to see Malaya across the water.

Mitch Hinde

Thanks, Mitch.

I sure you are right.

[harry.gibbon]

Just a thought, if somebody can establish where that YMCA building was located in 1935, dare I say then the roads or harbour question will be resolved.

Also is that a breakwater in the left middle distance/background?

Little h

[keblin]

Just a thought, if somebody can establish where that YMCA building was located in 1935, dare I say then the roads or harbour question will be resolved.

Also is that a breakwater in the left middle distance/background?

Little h

It cant be the Naval Base. The width of the channel at the naval base was four times the length of the Stores Basin.
In the view, its clearly miles wide.
And you are right, Harry, there is a breakwater there, but there's none at the Naval Base.

[ekd]

I think The YW CA is very close to where the Brit Club was later built.

I attach two photos from my slide collection taken at the Brit Club in 1963.

You can clearly see the horizon behind the ' Singapore roads' area, with all the ships moored there.

The YWCA would be off to the left of the Fleet club, in these Photos

(P.S.You cannot see the horizon from the Naval Base, it's too far up the entrance channel.)

Also, on Google Earth, there's a great shot of the new Singaporean Naval Base, at 1deg,18' 59.76"N and 104deg,01' 53" E.
with easy access for the big U.S. carriers. (one is shown there. Also the large ship lift, with a sub actually out of the water on its way to the repair sheds.)

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi All

Comparing the shot with some old views from the net it looks like Clifford Quay.
Mitch Hinde

[oldsalt]

What happened to the Nuffield club ?

[Dave Hutson]

Hi ekd,

That 1935 photo looks to me to be just about where we knew the quay in front of Change Alley. All the craft would have been the lighterage to bring cargoes to the godowns lining the Singapore river, deadly toxic in the 50/60's but now all upmarket pubs and restuarants for the tourists.

Your two slides - agree the first one cos that might be me in the water bottom right. The second one is questionable because if that is a view from the Brit Club in '63 you can see that lovely modern road bending along Princess Elizabeth Walk. My memory and that of my good lady says you could not see the road from the Brit Club in '63 but you could hear the traffic.

Comment please mate :confused:

[ekd]

Hi ekd,

That 1935 photo looks to me to be just about where we knew the quay in front of Change Alley. All the craft would have been the lighterage to bring cargoes to the godowns lining the Singapore river, deadly toxic in the 50/60's but now all upmarket pubs and restuarants for the tourists.

Your two slides - agree the first one cos that might be me in the water bottom right. The second one is questionable because if that is a view from the Brit Club in '63 you can see that lovely modern road bending along Princess Elizabeth Walk. My memory and that of my good lady says you could not see the road from the Brit Club in '63 but you could hear the traffic.

Comment please mate :confused:

Dave, I can assure you, they were both taken by me, on the same day from the same building, i.e. upstairs in the Brit Club!

The first looking south easterly, the second looking more southerly.

I know the olde grey matter is a bit fitful these days; but that is how I remember it to the best of my recollections. :)

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi Ekd

I think pic #1 could be printed the wrong way round. It is definitley the Brit Club just back to front.

Brit Club 1969.

[ekd]

I have this picture of Singapore taken around 1935 that I thought might be of interest....

Most of the water in the foreground of the picture, out to the breakwater, is now dry land.

See attached plan.

[ekd]

Hi Ekd

I think pic #1 could be printed the wrong way round. It is definitley the Brit Club just back to front.

Brit Club 1969.

Thanks, Mitch. I will turn it round forthwith! :)

[ekd]

Hi Ekd

I think pic #1 could be printed the wrong way round. It is definitley the Brit Club just back to front.

Brit Club 1969.

Nice picture Mitch.

Again, all the water you can see on the right in your shot, is now filled in and "Reclaimed"

In 2004 Google Earth history shots, show the swimming pool still there, but after that it's a car park, and houses.
location 1deg 17' 38.39 N. and 103deg 51' 18.31 E.

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi ekd

Much better, remember it well. Egg sarni from the stall and pussers bus back to Terror.

Mitch Hinde

[Dave Hutson]

Hi ekd,

You win, I concede the point. All is clear now the piccy is reversed. We used to spend a lot of time at the Brit Club - went back a few years ago and the guys now occupying [Singapore Armed Forces Club] it let us in for a trip down memory lane.

As Mitch says Princess Elizabeth Walk is now well inland after all the reclamation work and at a big festival on the shore we thought we were walking on water.

Keep posting them mate.

Dave H

[ekd]

Hi ekd,

You win, I concede the point. All is clear now the piccy is reversed. We used to spend a lot of time at the Brit Club - went back a few years ago and the guys now occupying [Singapore Armed Forces Club] it let us in for a trip down memory lane.

As Mitch says Princess Elizabeth Walk is now well inland after all the reclamation work and at a big festival on the shore we thought we were walking on water.

Keep posting them mate.

Dave H

Dave, what year did you go back?

Was the swimming pool filled in then?

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi All
Just had a walk up Orchard Road on Google maps. Didn't recognise a thing except the name. All gone.:(Still, the memories are there.:rolleyes: Apparently Kranji W/T is now a housing estate.:eek:

Mitch Hinde

[Dave Hutson]

ekd ........... Think last trip was mid 90's - the pool was definitely there then and the Raffles was undergoing it big refurb - thus the Raffles Bar had been temporarily relocated to the Cockpit atthe bottom of Orhcard Road.

Mitch - just googled Orchard Road and took a walk round C K Tangs which most of us who did an accompanied wil remember with it's Pagoda presentation and every time he wanted to expand he just just jacked up the roof and put another floor in.

I see Serangoon Gardens Estate is now an upmarket residential area, even more so than during our last visit when we were surprised to see the hi rises which dominated the skyline. [Before the question - we lived in Walmer Drive opposite the Market and Shell Station, before that above the Hong Kong Barbers in Kensington Road].

Wow, what happy memories, newly married, first son and a great job [Fleet Pool & Kranji W/T].

Dave H

[ekd]

Right, Dave.
I didn't spend all that much time in Singers, relatively speaking; being only on the DIANA and EAGLE for visits.

Although, Diana was in the floating dock for 3 weeks, so we did have a bit of time to get to know the place.

I have a few slides to show you, and I'm particularly interested to find out about the first one.

Is it "The Coconut Grove?" The place where the then 83 years old 'BILL BAILEY' lived?

I went there several times, but I was so intoxicated, I never really knew where it was, or what it looked like!

Can you identify where the others are?

[Dave Hutson]

Don't know about the first picture and alas "Bill Bailey" doesn't ring any bells.

However, I would suggest the second one was taken probably down the Kampongs behind Sembawang Village - the rest I recognise as shots in HMS Terror.

Hope this helps.

Dave H

[ekd]

Don't know about the first picture and alas "Bill Bailey" doesn't ring any bells.

However, I would suggest the second one was taken probably down the Kampongs behind Sembawang Village - the rest I recognise as shots in HMS Terror.

Hope this helps.

Dave H

"Won't you come home, Bill Bailey; won't you come home? You've been away so long"

Surely you have heard the world famous song, by Satchmo, for example?

His house was taken over by the Japanese, as a Headquaters in the war!

[Dave Hutson]

With you now.

The Japanese took over every building during that period, ie, The Raffles Hotel was the HQ of the Kempetia [Gestapo]. Don't know where Bill's place was.

[ekd]

I've just dug out my old file on Bill Bailey. 1886- 1966.

It's 'Famous Iowans, by Tom longden.'

If you Google that, you should get the info.

It shows an interior shot of the bar inside the Coconut Grove in Singers, and I sat at that very bar many times.

He was an inspirational character, but maybe not the real "Bill Bailey" of the song I think, but who knows? ..his real name was Dale Bales a vaudeville star who married Jean Marsh the actress, but what the heck; I believed every word that came out of his mouth.

No doubt he really suffered under the japs, but he continued after the war as though nothing had changed, and his bar was famous the world over. His wife diedin 1957, and it was all downhill after that.
I remember musical instruments of all descriptions on the chairs, of the seldom used lounge, being held by ghosts of the past.
What a magical place.

See him, and see the bar below....many a good night here! Awsome place.

[limpet44]

Ashley, pretty sure that is HMAS Melbourne. The white stern is a deck awning arrangement that both Melbourne and Sydney [maybe RN ships also] used on Far East deployments. You can see it below in these Melbourne pics at the Tamar basin in HK. I've seen pics of the same thing used by Sydney in Vietnam 'Vung Tau Ferry' days. Cheers, K.
I was on the Chichester in 66,and not sure if that is not us in the background in HonkyFid.but we had the double bedstead radar.The next time i saw the Melbourne, she was in drydock in Singers, having been in collision with a USN Destroyer.Her aircraft were still on deck, they could not take off because of damage to the forrad rounddown.I think they were lifted off by crane.

[David Verghese]

Singapore Island prewar

Here is another variety of the picture posted by ekd in #57. The pictorial map shows the positions of the Naval Base, RAF Base and main topography of the island.
Actual pictures of naval dockyard facilities pre 1950 Singapore seem to be very rare.

I've got a pre-war II picture of HMS Suffolk in the dry dock there, but it doesn't show much of the Base

David

[ekd]

Singapore Island prewar

Here is another variety of the picture posted by ekd in #57. The pictorial map shows the positions of the Naval Base, RAF Base and main topography of the island.
Actual pictures of naval dockyard facilities pre 1950 Singapore seem to be very rare.

I've got a pre-war II picture of HMS Suffolk in the dry dock there, but it doesn't show much of the Base

David

Thanks, David. A splendid photo that one.

Lots of people did'nt realise how sheltered the Naval Base was from the sea.

The Japs did! That's why they came by land from the North.

Just over the Causeway, turn left; "Bob's your Uncle!", as they say.

[David Verghese]

One of my interests is Royal Navy Dockyards, Harbours and Bases in WWII. I recently had privileged access to the attached photographs which I scanned and am posting here since there are few, if any, images on the Forum for this period in time. I believe that Singapore had the largest, in terms of area, Royal Navy facility outside the UK
The first picture shows the dockyard sometime in 1941. The second and third, from late January/early February 1942 respectively show burning oil storage tanks and the smoking aftermath from enemy bombs on the harbour area.

David

[Egypt]

Nice photos, but are you sure these are shots of the Naval Dockyard?
The first photo shows what looks very like Clifford Pier to me, in which case the photos have been taken in the vicinity of the commercial docks, on the southern side of the island (rather than in the naval dockyard, on the north side of the island).

[David Verghese]

Good input Egypt, on the last posting.
Thanks for this observation.
I reproduced what was written with the original photos. The first picture does seem to be Keppel harbour, which was the original small naval base on the southern side, before the large facility was constructed on the Straits of Johore northern side. The giveaway is no sign of the large floating dock.
I guess the Japanese bombed both harbour facilities, so the other two shots are more likely to be the southern harbour.

[astraltrader]

One of my interests is Royal Navy Dockyards, Harbours and Bases in WWII. I recently had privileged access to the attached photographs which I scanned and am posting here since there are few, if any, images on the Forum for this period in time. I believe that Singapore had the largest, in terms of area, Royal Navy facility outside the UK
The first picture shows the dockyard sometime in 1941. The second and third, from late January/early February 1942 respectively show burning oil storage tanks and the smoking aftermath from enemy bombs on the harbour area.

David

Very interesting pictures David from as you say a period when pictures of any part of Singapore DY are very scarce indeed.
Many thanks for posting them. :)

[David Verghese]

Thanks Terry,
The main point of my response is to recognise, on behalf of the Forum, that you responded at 03.22 am!
Clearly the Moderators remain at their station on watch throughout the night Zulu Time; as one of the motley crew of Forum members - I'm impressed. Clearly you spend the nocturnal hours worrying about the 'Mighty Wolves', as I do about the 'enigmatic Blues' .

[MelQuick]

Thanks to those who posted pictures of the Britannia Club.

I did a 4 year tour in Singapore and it brought back memories of many wild service parties.

Mel

[astraltrader]

Thanks Terry,
The main point of my response is to recognise, on behalf of the Forum, that you responded at 03.22 am!
Clearly the Moderators remain at their station on watch throughout the night Zulu Time; as one of the motley crew of Forum members - I'm impressed. Clearly you spend the nocturnal hours worrying about the 'Mighty Wolves', as I do about the 'enigmatic Blues' .

Very true my friend!;)

[paulus]

Quite a nice photo of HMS Victorious alongside Subic Bay, Phillipines. ;)

[johnho57]

Ashley, pretty sure that is HMAS Melbourne. The white stern is a deck awning arrangement that both Melbourne and Sydney [maybe RN ships also] used on Far East deployments. You can see it below in these Melbourne pics at the Tamar basin in HK. I've seen pics of the same thing used by Sydney in Vietnam 'Vung Tau Ferry' days. Cheers, K.

Surely both these pics (1st entry) are taken at Hong Kong (HMS Tamar from memory) ? I say that because of the high rise buildings and mountains in the background.

[Vegaskip]

Re post80 and 81, the photo of Victorious was taken at the USN base in the Phillipines, Subic bay, Singapore Naval base was HMS TERROR, and that at HongKong was HMS TAMAR.
Regards Jim

[johnho57]

Surely both these pics (1st entry) are taken at Hong Kong (HMS Terror from memory) ? I say that because of the high rise buildings and mountains in the background.

Apologies....I meant the 5th entry on this string. :o

[SENIOR PILOT]

some shots of sembawang taken in nov 1971 the one of the stores basin was the fleet preparing to sail after the hand over of the dockyard to private hands you can make out the triumph . allso the front door of aggie westons and two pictures of kota tingi waterfalls malasyia and a shot of the drydock that was taken in approx 1963?

[astraltrader]

Thanks SP - the photograph of the drydock is really excellent. :)

[dialabull]

[QUOTE=airlana;76069] The Aircraft carrier bottom left is Melbourne - white patch is flight deck awning - rigged to cool officers cabins and as rec space. Pic is prior to 1963 as the 293Q is the highest radar, it was replaced by the Dutch LWO2 radar ariel atop the main mast in 1963 refit.

Melbourne was allocated to the FESR from 28th Feb. 1962 until 16th April 1962 and was in SND from 8th. April 1962 until 12th April 1962. She then went on to tour HK and Japan returning home via Guam and the East Coast of Australia - so the photo was taken between 8 - 12 April 1962.

Phil

[dialabull]

[QUOTE=alexrad;85507]Is that an Aussie "O" on the head of the basin. What was the occasion? For so many Aussie ships to be there? And what was Diamantina doing in such illustrious company? The poor old thing must have been about stuffed - that's her "266" - probably had a load of JRs from Freo - boy, the RAN went downhill from then on! Lowest form of Navy life - JRs and Mobies!!! both should have been called "algae"!

:-)) Phil

[Aussie Bhoy]

I visted Singapore a few times between 1988 and 1995 with the RAN.

A few photos, some are poor quality scans.

The first few are from 88-89 and the one of Sembawang is 1991. Ths bad rigs are from a dibbies banyan and the ashore photo has me in my Broncos shirt, we all had no dress sense it seems.

97124 97125 97126 97127 97128 97129

[SENIOR PILOT]

in the picture of sembawang the gap between the two buildings was were the food market was you took a chance with what you ate there but i admit i enjoyed it

[brian james]

Sembewang Dockyard at the height of the Confrontation 1960's

[dialabull]

Sembewang Dockyard at the height of the Confrontation 1960's

Sorry Brian but that first photo is well after Confrontation - all the RAN Darings and Type 12's (after half life conversion) had the LWO2 down aft by then and 266 is Diamantina (a very, very old River Class Frigate) - training ship for the JRs. Must also be after the Vietnam invasion as the RAN couldn't spare that many ships from the gun line - ie the two Darings and the two DDGs. Further aft of them you can see Supply and an Aussie Type 12. The LWO2 is the give up there too!

Phil

[dialabull]

[QUOTE=dialabull;161680Melbourne was allocated to the FESR from 28th Feb. 1962 until 16th April 1962 and was in SND from 8th. April 1962 until 12th April 1962. She then went on to tour HK and Japan returning home via Guam and the East Coast of Australia - so the photo was taken between 8 - 12 April 1962.

Phil[/QUOTE]

Further to my last - Had a senior moment!! - Melbourne was allocated to the FESR from 28th Feb 1963 until berthing in HK 12th March 1963. For April Read March.

The flight deck awning:

The flight deck awning was specially designed by the Poms to give Aussie seamen the "Tom-Titts"

1. It was designed to cool the officers quarters. None of them helped rig it!
2. It was sewn in one piece and took 50 seamen to manhandle it from "C" hanger onto the aft lift then the flight deck.
3. 24 stantions had to be erected.
4. Two backbones and the ridge ropes were next.
5. The awning in one piece was unfurled, positioned and secured.
6. Frapping lines had to be rigged.
7. At sunset the awning had to be sloped.
8. During heavy rain the awning had to be sloped.
9. At sunrise the awning had to be roved and hauled taught.
10. Frapping lines were adjusted continuely - for the state of the awning and the weather.
11. If there was a ceremonial "Beat the Retreat" the awning had to be struck, all the stantions removed below and the whole re erected the next morning.

The flight deck awning was a bloody nightmare - bring back the lash and sodomy - but Please! - not the flight deck awning.

PS Hope our new Spanish flat tops don't have flight deck awnings!!??

[brian james]

I know how you must have felt Dialabull...though not as large... The Quarterdeck awning on Royalist was a right bloody pain as it was stowed up in the Focsle and twenty or so Seamen Boys used to have to drag it the full length of the ship.. Becoming 'squashed' as you turned the numerous corners on the Main Drag at a breakneck speed was normal, but once up... at least it stayed there until the day before sailing ,then the whole procedure was repeated in reverse!!From memory I think we had 18 awning stanchions which were up on the aft signal deck....

[brian james]

Pic1 Singapore dockyard 1960...Pic2and 3 Hrtland Point in dock 1960's..Pic4..HMS Solebay 1960 dock....

[clevewyn]

Pic 4 Solebay.

Remember that, port prop had to be replaced after getting too close to a practise torpedo during recovery.

Slow trip to Singers due to vibration.

[alexrad]

[QUOTE=alexrad;85507]Is that an Aussie "O" on the head of the basin. What was the occasion? For so many Aussie ships to be there? And what was Diamantina doing in such illustrious company? The poor old thing must have been about stuffed - that's her "266" - probably had a load of JRs from Freo - boy, the RAN went downhill from then on! Lowest form of Navy life - JRs and Mobies!!! both should have been called "algae"!

:-)) Phil

http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Navy_News-January-16-1976.pdf

Page 10 of this Navy News will answer your question about the ships in the Basin. :D
As an aside, page 15 also has an article about Vampire's rugby team.

[dialabull]

Very interesting reading - just another "warie" exercise but what was Diamantina doing there? Must have been a "rabbit run"!! :-)) CU, Phil

[MelQuick]

Anyone remember the trishaw races we used to have through the town? Some of them put the last scenes from Ben Hur to shame!

Mel

[Dave Hutson]

Pic1 Singapore dockyard 1960...Pic2and 3 Hrtland Point in dock 1960's..Pic4..HMS Solebay 1960 dock....

Brian, Your Photo 1 ---- Hazarding a guess on a couple of the ships - right side second ship a Cat Class, last ship RFA Retainer. Left side inboard ship
RFA Fort Charlotte or Fort Rosalie.

Dave H

[brian james]

Dave your guess is as good as mine!! I think you are right about Retainer....

[Dave Hutson]

Dave your guess is as good as mine!! I think you are right about Retainer....

I think so too - served on her, the Charlotte and the Rosalie 62 thru 64 during the Indonesian saga as an RN Sparker attached from the Fleet Pool.

Dave H

[brian james]

Yeah Dave... Remember doin' RAS and such with Retainer when on Royalist..and as a little OD used to 'curse' having to lay out all the 'gear' to Replenish!!!but...God did we learn the real meaning of 'Seamanship'.....Stay well Old Sailor....Regards Brian...........

[cameraman]

Couple of shots from 2004. Used to enjoy a jug of Tiger at the terror club and one of the Kranji memorial at the war cemetery

[kookaburra]

Hi All,

I've had a couple of 'historical oddity' photos on the RAN Centenary photostream of a Japanese escort destroyer left behind at the Singapore base after WWII, and used for damage control exercises.

Does anyone have any memory of it, and perhaps where it was in relation to the Basin. A Singapore photographer was also asking whether it, or any relic still exists [a bit unlikely I think - the RN was starting and dousing fires on it].

The Graeme Andrews Collection pics can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41311545@N05/5502395424/

and here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41311545@N05/5501850505/in/photostream/


cheers, K.

[kookaburra]

[QUOTE=dialabull;161681]

http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Navy_News-January-16-1976.pdf

Page 10 of this Navy News will answer your question about the ships in the Basin. :D
As an aside, page 15 also has an article about Vampire's rugby team.

alexrad, I have been wishing for a long time to date and clarify that crowded [1976?] RAN Sembawang basin image- but I can't find anything in the Navy News page 10 link [or nearby pages] that you've posted that refers to it. Can you be a bit more specific about which article I should be looking at.

Also I've sent you a PM regarding your other [Vampire] pic, if you would have a look at that too, thanks. K.

[Mike B]

Sorry not a very professional job but due to size of photo had to scan each half separately and then stick them back together again. Anyway pretty sure its Singapore Naval Base in 1975, or thereabouts. Could it be an ANZUK gathering? Anyone like to have a go at naming them?
Mike B

[Dave Hutson]

Sorry not a very professional job but due to size of photo had to scan each half separately and then stick them back together again. Anyway pretty sure its Singapore Naval Base in 1975, or thereabouts. Could it be an ANZUK gathering? Anyone like to have a go at naming them?
Mike B

Mike,

This has been posted and discussed previously but I cannot remember on which thread - as far as I can remember the year is about right. Someone will put it where it belongs no doubt.

Dave H

[rumrat]

Sorry not a very professional job but due to size of photo had to scan each half separately and then stick them back together again. Anyway pretty sure its Singapore Naval Base in 1975, or thereabouts. Could it be an ANZUK gathering? Anyone like to have a go at naming them?
Mike B

Right hand photo ships as follows from left -right
CHICHESTER
DANAE
SCYLLA
LONDONDERRY

Along the front wharf

YARNTON
WASPERTON

Left hand photo ships as follows
VENDETTA & OXLEY with Unknown Tender alongside
HYDRA
ARIADNE & OTAGO
TIDESURGE

All taken at Sembawang Basin Singapore 1974

Regards
Dave

[Mike B]

Dave x2
Thanks to both of you. Can't recall where I got the photo from, think it was one among other things that I was permitted to take with me when I left the MOD(N) in 1999. I can label it up properly now.
Best regards
Mike

[Alan D]

Another photo from the same time period. From the front an RAN 'O' Boat, then on the left Diamantina with Vendetta and Vampire on the right, behind them is Brisbane outboard with a sister ship inboard and finally behind them Supply with either Swan or Torrens outboard.

[jbryce1437]

Last 5 posts moved to the existing thread on the same subject.

Jim

[BlackBat242]

Another photo from the same time period. From the front an RAN 'O' Boat, then on the left Diamantina with Vendetta and Vampire on the right, behind them is Brisbane outboard with a sister ship inboard and finally behind them Supply with either Swan or Torrens outboard.

The ship inboard of Vampire & Vendetta appears to be an Ikara-equipped Leander class Frigate.

The two type 12 frigates inboard of Diamontina appear to be Whitby or Rothesay types, by the bridge shape.

[tjstoneman]

The ships inboard of DIAMANTINA in the photo attached to post #110 are, as BlackBat says, Type 12s - the plated mast and MRS3 fire control shows that both are in fact Rothesay class ships after their mid-life modernisations.
Tim

[Tired Old Wombat]

Hi my first post since joining. Just looking thru this subject and got quite a shock as I knew of this old Japanese escort used for damage control training. I've tried to find out about it before. My father, now sadly deceased, recalled training on it in the fifties and remembered it as one of the worst things he ever had to do in the navy. My father Eric 'Ginger' Braithwaite served in HMS Loch Quoich in the 50's. I'm sure the photo's would have brought back some memories for him!

[Rob Hoole]

I was sent this image, showing HMS Forth passing Red House Jetty in 1969, by Dave 'Nobby' Clark who was a first draft 'Baby Tiff' on board at the time.

[ASSAIL]

I was sent this image, showing HMS Forth passing Red House Jetty in 1969, by Dave 'Nobby' Clark who was a first draft 'Baby Tiff' on board at the time.

I remember her well from 69. I had just completed 4 weeks of exercises (mostly submerged) as the token oz in HMS Onslaught and what a suprise! we marched straight off the submarine and into the biggest bathroom I have ever seen on a warship and sat soaking in the bath sipping G&T's.

Those were the days!

[hydroggy]

I was sent this image, showing HMS Forth passing Red House Jetty in 1969, by Dave 'Nobby' Clark who was a first draft 'Baby Tiff' on board at the time.

Glad you mentioned Red House Jetty. In 1950 as a Mid (UNICORN) I used to sail dinghies from Red House :D. Last month I visited "TERROR" to renew old memories. I went to the SAF Yacht Club thinking that would have been the spot but not so. However near by there was a jetty with a much more impressive "Green" House. My guess is that was where it was. I have marked it in the attached.

Will add picture of the Green House when I find them.

Can anyone confirm or deny that I have the right spot please?

[alexrad]

The ship inboard of Vampire & Vendetta appears to be an Ikara-equipped Leander class Frigate.

The two type 12 frigates inboard of Diamontina appear to be Whitby or Rothesay types, by the bridge shape.

Ajax is inboard of Vampire.
Rothsay & Chichester are inboard of Diamantina.:)

[tjstoneman]

Sorry to disagree with alexrad, but both ships inboard of DIAMANTINA in the photo attached to post #110 appear to have funnels and MRS3 fire control, so neither of them can be CHICHESTER. Both are Rothesay class ships after their mid-life modernisations.
Tim

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi Mike1

As there are no points of reference left for us older elements to try to align things with, it is very difficult to pinpoint anything accurately.
I have over flown the dockyard/Terror area on Google maps and get lost very quickly. Nothing from my time 59/61 and 64/66 seems to remain.

Mitch Hinde

[clevewyn]

Can anyone confirm or deny that I have the right spot please?

Opposite end of what used to be the dockyard I think Mike.

[Dave Hutson]

Mike,

Look at #121 , now if my memory cells are working correctly here we go. 59/61 thru 62/64 when I was in the Dockyard. Look toward the bottom of the map and you will see "Canberra Road". At the bottom of this was the junction and across the junction was the Main Entrance to the Dockyard, enter that gate and the offices of the FOCINCFEF were on your right including the MAIN SIGNAL CENTRE where I was usefully employed. Turn 18 and come out of the Gate, turn left for Sembawang Gate passing the Cinema which was on the right or turn right and just down the road was the entrance to Terror. Go straight across and there on the right at the top of the bank was a bar/restuarant.

Hope my memory cells are in tune with others, maybe Mitch or Fairlead. All this being pre ANZAC takeover time.

Dave H

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi All

Memory fades over time, but I always thought that when you came out of the dockyard gates, went straight across and up the hill you passed Aggie Westons on the right. Carry on and you came to Sembawang gate and beyond that the flesh pots of Sembawang itself.

Mitch Hinde

[alexrad]

Sorry to disagree with alexrad, but both ships inboard of DIAMANTINA in the photo attached to post #110 appear to have funnels and MRS3 fire control, so neither of them can be CHICHESTER. Both are Rothesay class ships after their mid-life modernisations.
Tim
Thanks TJ... I concur. :o
CHICHESTER should have been in Honkers by then.
I can only narrow them down to:BERWICK, PLYMOUTH & ROTHSAY.
They're the only ones VAMPIRE was in company with around that date: Oct 1975.

[Dave Hutson]

Hi All

Memory fades over time, but I always thought that when you came out of the dockyard gates, went straight across and up the hill you passed Aggie Westons on the right. Carry on and you came to Sembawang gate and beyond that the flesh pots of Sembawang itself.

Mitch Hinde

Hi Mitch,

You are quite right, the Bar/Restuarant [more a Snack Bar] was just before Aggie's and Canberra Road did lead to Sembawang Gate of which there were two, coming from Nee Soon up past RNAS Sembawang you came to the first and the road bent to the right leading to Sembawang Village where the second gate was, again with a Bar/Restuarant just inside on the right.

Dave H

[buster185]

Hi Guys, I lived in Singapore 98 to 02 working in Somerset Road and living in Mountbatten Road, both down south island wise! I did make a couple of forays north towards Sembawang during my time there with some anticipation, but it's so built up it's mainly unrecognisable from how I remembered it in the late sixties early seventies. There were areas and things that still looked fairly familiar, Kranji War Cemetry and Stores Basin to name a couple and there was also a bar called the Nelson Bar, in roughly the same area as the old one would have been. I didn't venture in, I've learnt my lessons over the years about 'not going back' I prefer my memories of the time to remain as intact as possible for as long as the old grey cells remain functional! Whilst living there, I found that the climate, the food and the smells of Singapore were a great trigger for my nostalgic thoughts. Not too much left of the old city we knew back then but still a great place to be based. If you can get away from the major touristy areas, there are still lots of very lively little bars with the same sort of atmosphere I remember from years ago in Sembawang, you just need to know where to look!
Buster

[BelliniTosi]

Hi Mitch,

You are quite right, the Bar/Restuarant [more a Snack Bar] was just before Aggie's and Canberra Road did lead to Sembawang Gate of which there were two, coming from Nee Soon up past RNAS Sembawang you came to the first and the road bent to the right leading to Sembawang Village where the second gate was, again with a Bar/Restuarant just inside on the right.

Dave H

Not quite as I remember it lads, out of the dockyard gate, straight across, onto Canberra Road, Aggie Westons on the right, carry on up the hill past the Asian Hospital and eventually to Canberra Gate, this was at the junction of Canberra Road and Sembawang Road where Sembawang Road did a 90 degree right turn in the village of Chong Pang. When I was there in 64/65 the only bars in Chong Pang were for the locals.

Turn left out of the dockyard gate onto Admiralty Road and this went to Sembawang Gate and Sembawang village with the bars and the food stalls on the other side of the road.
Turn left outside the gate follow the road down to the Hong Kong bar overlooking the straits, had many a good afternoon sess there.

Turn right out of the dockyard gate go past Terror, Woodlands, KD Malaya and you came to Rotherham Gate, out of that gate turn right, over the causeway to the delights of JB (Johore Bahru)

John

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi All

Found this ont' t'internet. View from Aggie Westons over the dockyard.

Mitch Hinde

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi All

Post 128, sorry, didn't check the size of the photo before I uploaded it.
View over Singapore dockyard from Aggie Westons.

Mitch Hinde

[Dave Hutson]

John / Mitch - there we have it right at last. Went back a few years back and both gates were still there and must say that Sembawang Village hadn't changed much , could still find it but it needed a lot of memory bank to put it all in the right places.

Visiting our old Bungalow in Serangoon Garden Estate we got a taxi and asked him to take us to the Kranji War Cemetery to which he, the driver, a Sikh asked me for directions because he had heard of it but never been there. So it was out memory bank ""Top of Estate turn left onto Upper Serangoon Road leading to Yu Choi Kang road, right on the Sembawand Hills Estate roundabout, down the Thompson to Nee Soon, left onto the Mandai Forest road, right on to the Bukit Timah Road, past Kranji Wireless turnoff, right at Racetrack [wasn't there in the 60's] and the Cemetery is directly behind it" All done from memory of two years commuting on a Suzuki 50cc in the early 60's. I hardly recognised any of the places passed but the memory banks were working fine.

Serangoon Garden Estate was like a garrison town in the late 50/60/70's and then when the big build exploded all over Singapore it was given a listing status so remains today much as it was when it was first built. Now surrounded by high rises and fast transport systems. I think I prefer it all as it was not is. Too sterile for me.

Anyway, enough rambling. Really fancy a Tiger and Chop Suey served in a Banana Palm Leaf after that :):)

Dave H

[Don Boyer]

As an old American sailor who has to say shore leave in Singapore was by far the best I experienced in my naval tour (other than home leave, of course!). Only being there a few weeks, I'm no expert on the lay of the land, but was fascinated by what I did see, and I do remember eating dinner in a restaurant that served about the best shore-side chow I ever had overseas. Someone said the name of the place was the White Bear, but I have absolutely no idea at all if that is the correct name. I was a bit pre-occupied with charming my walking dictionary and enjoying a few Tigers.

My luck it was probably some low-end dive no proper RN/RAN/RNZN matelot would be found dead in...but it was a great place as far as my experiences went..anybody recognize the name?

Regards,

[Dave Hutson]

Hi Don,

And going a bit off topic [as if I would] Don't recognise the eating house you mention. My run ashore experience with your guys was with the crew off the old Ticonderoga [Spelling??] in the early 60's in Hong Kong when they were R&R from Vietnam - hey, they played hard :eek: A few years later 66 was a run in Alongapo in the Phillippines, all wood facades and mud - looked more like a Western Movie Dodge City set and the Shore Patrol were a rough lot. But to we Brits it was a good run ashore. [About the time the Forrestal had the big bang].

Thinking on your eating emporium was probably down Chinatown way where most of the liberty guys used to gather ,or, hush ma mouth, Bugis Street :eek::D;)

Dave H

[Don Boyer]

The eatery had been recommended by a retired British civil servant we struck up a conversation with at the Raffles. I remember it was a bit of a taxi ride and that my date thought it was a great place to be going, and she should have known. Had it not been seconded by my date, I probably would not have gone. Absolutely outstanding steaks! Tiger beer! What could be better?

As to Olangapo in the Philippines, a mighty rough place in the 60s (my tours were 66 - 69), but it was "Where the Elite Meet in the Pacific Fleet." :rolleyes:

[brian james]

Yeah Boys..Olongapo.....Dodge City... Transplanted to Asia!!....many runs ashore..even got shot at by the local 'constabulary'( Colt45 I believe)...what a fine bunch of 'upholders of the law' they were!!!( lousy shots thank god).....The sheer numbers of Matelots,Marines and Airmen all ashore at the one time (of course visiting museums and shops etc!!) used to be phenominal....What a shock to the local economy when Subic Bay closed...I must say it was a 'real education' that no University Curriculum could have 'supplied'..Regards Brian

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi All

Apparently Kranji W/T is now a housing estate and the old bar in Yew Tee village that sold a potent brew called, if I remember correctly, Sam Su or some such.
Posted this shot on the Comms thread before but it may bring back a few memories.

Mitch Hinde

[Dave Hutson]

Hi All

Apparently Kranji W/T is now a housing estate and the old bar in Yew Tee village that sold a potent brew called, if I remember correctly, Sam Su or some such.
Posted this shot on the Comms thread before but it may bring back a few memories.

Mitch Hinde

And as you said Mitch ........ what idjit put the pedestrian gate over the Monsoon ditch ...... lucky enough was always on a Motorcycle so never fell in it :D:D

[BelliniTosi]

John / Mitch -

Anyway, enough rambling. Really fancy a Tiger and Chop Suey served in a Banana Palm Leaf after that :):)

Dave H


Dave
I'll have a bottle of Anchor and some Nasi G in a bowl, please
John

[Dave Hutson]

Dave
I'll have a bottle of Anchor and some Nasi G in a bowl, please
John

I'll stick to Tiger, but on reflection change my order to a Nasi Goring [Our local restuarant in Serangoon used to serve the best on the Island]. Same area but in the Captain's Cabin they served the biggest T Bones I have ever seen and never ever managed to finish one. Happy days :);)

Dave H

[harry.gibbon]

I'll stick to Tiger, but on reflection change my order to a Nasi Goring [Our local restuarant in Serangoon used to serve the best on the Island]. Same area but in the Captain's Cabin they served the biggest T Bones I have ever seen and never ever managed to finish one. Happy days :);)

Dave H

For Nasi Goring or Chicken Curry on the bone our local Chusan restaurant on Jalan Selaseh in Seletar Hill estate was hard to beat - (Even taken back to bungalow(s) in several pans in a hold-all/pussers grip).

Little h

[brian james]

The old Prawn and Egg Banjo or the Campbells Soup from a wok! ...from the 'Wang' was hard to beat......Ye Gods..... I can still smell and taste them after all these years...Talk about reflux!!! Regards..(BURP).. Brian

[jbryce1437]

Whilst on the Ark Royal, we were laid up in Singapore Dockyard c1965, following a fire in B boiler room. My oppo was on the Albion at the time. When the Albion arrived in Singapore I went onboard to see him and he promised he would lash me up to a run ashore that night (I was skint after being alongside for so long, it also being a blank pay week). True to his word, he and his half brother, who was also on Albion, took me to the Dockyard Canteen, then ashore to Sembawang Village and we had a few beers, followed by a meal on one of the stalls. At the end of the meal, they told me to scarper, and they ran off:(. I had to follow them, as I didn't have any money to pay. I was so busy looking round to see if anyone was chasing me, that I stumbled into a monsoon ditch, but emerged unscathed. I didn't venture ashore with them again:o
I'm still partial to Nasi Goreng after all this time, but have to be content with it out of the freezer at Aldi and Lidl.

Jim

[alexrad]

The old Prawn and Egg Banjo or the Campbells Soup from a wok! ...from the 'Wang' was hard to beat......Ye Gods..... I can still smell and taste them after all these years...Talk about reflux!!! Regards..(BURP).. Brian

The only photo I've had taken of the patio in Sembawang in all my trips Up-top.

[Dave Hutson]

Whilst on the Ark Royal, we were laid up in Singapore Dockyard c1965, following a fire in B boiler room. My oppo was on the Albion at the time. When the Albion arrived in Singapore I went onboard to see him and he promised he would lash me up to a run ashore that night (I was skint after being alongside for so long, it also being a blank pay week). True to his word, he and his half brother, who was also on Albion, took me to the Dockyard Canteen, then ashore to Sembawang Village and we had a few beers, followed by a meal on one of the stalls. At the end of the meal, they told me to scarper, and they ran off:(. I had to follow them, as I didn't have any money to pay. I was so busy looking round to see if anyone was chasing me, that I stumbled into a monsoon ditch, but emerged unscathed. I didn't venture ashore with them again:o
I'm still partial to Nasi Goreng after all this time, but have to be content with it out of the freezer at Aldi and Lidl.

Jim

Shame on you Jim boy - what a lot of reprobates lived on Ark Royal and Albion , we Big H boys always paid up.

Will look out the recipe for Nasi Goring and send it to you - I make it quite often - tastes almost like the real McCoy but then there were many variations considering it was Malaya's answer to our Bubble and Squeek and who knows what can find it's way into that traditional dish for leftovers.

Dave H

[eskimosailor]

The only photo I've had taken of the patio in Sembawang in all my trips Up-top.

When I visited in 1971 they had just removed all the food stalls off the street and down to the patio. The only one left was Bobby's Stall, where I had many a fine Prawn Mah Mee (spelling?). One other I remember from down on the patio was the Crab Stall, where they dropped a pre-cooked spider crab, with its shell cracked all over, into a pot of some brown 'goo'. This was dumped on a plate and you ate it with your fingers. :):):):) Absolutely delicious. Never knew if it had a name.
Steve

[jbryce1437]

Shame on you Jim boy - what a lot of reprobates lived on Ark Royal and Albion , we Big H boys always paid up.

Will look out the recipe for Nasi Goring and send it to you - I make it quite often - tastes almost like the real McCoy but then there were many variations considering it was Malaya's answer to our Bubble and Squeek and who knows what can find it's way into that traditional dish for leftovers.

Dave H

Thanks for the offer Dave, but I already have the recipe but the cook doesn't like it, so she won't cook it. She doesn't mind getting the frozen version, cooking half of it for me, and saving the other half for the next sitting. I suppose I could learn to cook it myself, but I don't fancy the drive down to HMS Pembroke to do the cookery course:D:D
There is also a recipe here (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12257/nasi-goreng)

Jim

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi All

One could always slide round the corner from Bugis Street and indulge in a large curry at Fatty's on Albert Street, or so I have been told.

Mitch Hinde

[Dave Hutson]

Thanks for the offer Dave, but I already have the recipe but the cook doesn't like it, so she won't cook it. She doesn't mind getting the frozen version, cooking half of it for me, and saving the other half for the next sitting. I suppose I could learn to cook it myself, but I don't fancy the drive down to HMS Pembroke to do the cookery course:D:D
There is also a recipe here (http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/12257/nasi-goreng)

Jim

Jim,

Just had a look at that recipe [for culinary disaster]. Auntie Beeb certainly dropped a goolie on that one. Show that to any selfrespecting Chinese/Malay chef and he would probably have apoplexy. I think I will stick with mine. Forget Pembroke, all you need is a Wok and a bit of perseverence.

Once had a PO Chef as a neighbour and asked him for the recipe for u-know-what on a raft - he produced it from the Chef's Bible but then I had to ask how you got it from 250 portions to 4 ------ The Kidneys was easy as was the Fried Bread but it was the gravy that stumped me. Oops, gone off thread ....... sorry ....... self slapped wrist.

Dave H

[limpet44]

:D Nasi Goreng, Indonesian Dish , but deelish anyway especially on top of a belly full of Tiger. Was based at Terror 67-69 Postie. lived at Century Gardens Johore Bahru AAAh! the SweetWater Canal.great days;)

[hydroggy]

Opposite end of what used to be the dockyard I think Mike.

Thanks Mitch et al,

I just found a map at http://randal.org.uk/suara/History.html so I am not mad :rolleyes:

The Wardroom is visible in my google earth picture and as I looked at it from the SAF Yacht Club bar I was sure it just had to be the WR because of the shape and location.

Mission successful. 'Red House' is now 'Green House'.

FWIW - As I walked along Drake Road I could see that the old "Terror" buildings are still very much as they were in my time and as shown in the map.

Thanks again....

[ap1]

© Crown Copyright/MoD (1960).


PLUMBING IN H.M.S. TERROR

BY

Engineer Lieutenant J.R. Brazely, R.N.

117172


The writing of this article was promoted by ‘Plumbing in H.M.S. Lochinvar.’
By Commander B.N. Hocken, and by the thought that, because of the shortage of material, the future of this interesting journal could be in doubt.

The engineering commitments in TERROR are numerous, unusual and far from monotonous. The Engineer officer is responsible to the Captain of H.M.S. TERROR for the maintenance of machinery and equipment ashore and in the Reserve Fleet. The Captain, on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Station as the Maintenance Captain, is also the Senior Officer Reserve Fleet, Singapore.
Three territories exist: H.M.S. TERROR (Base), the Reserve Fleet, and Singapore Communications (W/T Stations.)

H.M.S. TERROR. (BASE)


The ‘Hotel Services’ are considerable. The main galley, which can cater for two thousand junior ratings, is due for modernisation and is inadequate when numerous ships are accommodated and victualled ashore. Apart from dieso fired ranges, the galley is steam driven and supplied from two coal fired vertical boilers. Situated on the galley premises, these belch soot and smoke into the food preparation rooms and the adjoining accommodation blocks.

Sea-going engineers are not alone in their problems of soot and smoke control.
Inferior quality local coal, non English speaking boiler watchkeepers and the predominance of white uniforms accentuate the problem ashore.
There is, however no telegraph to tell us to “Stop making smoke!”
Three smaller galleys are also maintained; the Wardroom; C.P.O.s and the dockside accommodation, an overflow for ships accommodated.

TERROR boasts an excellent swimming pool and a smaller one is also provided at Admiralty House, the Commander-in Chief’s residence.
A third pool, recently constructed through the generosity of Lord Nuffield, is now available at the R.N. Officers’ Club.
These pools require regular attention, the filtration and chlorination being a study in themselves. B.R. 820/43 – The provision of Safe Water for Swimming Pools, etc. is a useful source of information. The B.R. does not, however, give an explanation for the water changing from a pure crystal blue to a murky green overnight. This has happened on very few occasions, but as the main pool is considered to be one of TERROR’s most attractive amenities, the situation causes panic in the Department.

TERROR contains the usual domestic refrigerators, water coolers and air conditioning units in considerable numbers. Unlike at sea, ice cold water is taken for granted, and apart from use at “Up Spirits”, consumption is negligible.
Consumption of Tiger Beer, however, is a different story.
An ice-making plant is provided with a daily output of 20 blocks.
As the plant is situated next door to the potato locker it is unnecessary to mention the method of testing the brine density.

All fire-fighting gear is maintained by the Department. No trailer pumps or static water tanks are provided and complete reliance is, therefore, placed in the dockyard water-main. The Dockyard Fire Brigade, is however, a model of speed and efficiency. Four minutes being the average time from their receipt of the alarm to the issue of water from their hoses on arrival in TERROR.
The Scheme of Complement allowed for the base is one E.R.A., one L.M.E. and seven M(E)s, one of whom is permanently employed by the Barrackmaster in Damage Control, Fire Fighting and Paint Schools.

THE RESERVE FLEET.

A Lieutenant Commander (X), as Deputy Commanding Officer Reserve Fleet, is in charge of the Reserve Fleet which is administered from two maintenance repair craft—M.R.Cs 1100 and 1119. H.M.S. MEDWAY (ex M.R.C. 1110 from Hong Kong) is also attached to the Reserve Fleet Base, but is by, and for, the 10th Submarine Squadron. Of some 500 tons displacement, the main features of these craft, are the large and well equipped workshops, office accommodation and Diesel generators. An electronics maintenance room has recently been constructed for the maintenance of equipment in coastal minesweepers.

Electrical power, the main consideration in the Base, is provided by a selection from the nine 50 kW Dorman 6 DL Diesel generators available in the three M.R.C.s.

Watch-keeping on these machines is on a 24 hour basis employing ratings from the Reserve Fleet and the 10th S/M squadron. Because of the continuous use of these machines, with top overhauls on two or three machines at intervals of nine weeks, maintenance is a real problem. As power is supplied to submarines, this problem is more acute during submarine self maintenance periods, when additional generators are required.
A request has been submitted for shore power which, if approved, will not only lighten the maintenance burden, but will release valuable ratings for more objective duties.

117175

Three CONISTON Class Type I (Mirrlees) coastal minesweepers have recently have joined the Reserve Fleet with a further three to follow. The first two, SANTON and THANKERTON, having arrived under their own power, require preservation and refitting before they can finally be accepted into reserve.
The remainder will have been towed, and will be in a state of preservation on arrival. Fortunately to date, the vessels have arrived in very good condition, the state of the books, records and documentation being commendable.
Reserve Maintenance Schedules had not been overlooked, and were found in the Ship’s Box.
The routines were implemented without delay and were a boon to the maintenance team who had had little experience with craft of this nature.
Numerous small craft are either attached to, or maintained by, the Reserve Fleet Base but they are far from being of a ‘reserved’ nature.
Two 45 ft. M.F.V.s ; two 52.5ft H.L.D.s, three barges, including the Commander in Chief’s, one 75 ft M.F.V. used by the Bomb and Mine Disposal Unit, one 62.5ft M.F.V., used by the Port Clearance Diving Officer, and two 45 ft P.L.D.s are all very much going concerns, and keep the Department well occupied.

Planned Maintenance, which was started a year or so ago, has paid handsome dividends, the actual breakdowns being negligible. Maintenance schedules were compiled from Forms S1195, Makers’ handbooks and experience. Some of the power boats are fitted with Foden FD6 engines with, of course, Megator circulating and bilge pumps, the sad history of which is well known.
However, trouble is avoided by shipping a refitted spare every 200 hours, irrespective of apparent efficiency.
Type ‘N’ fuel pumps have also given some trouble with broken plunger springs.
Replacement with a modified spring seems to have cleared the defect.

Some excitement was caused on one occasion when the C-in-C’s barge, powered by twin Fodens, returned to the Base from an official trip.
As the barge approached the jetty, a large smouldering hole was seen in the glistening green enamel above the exhaust outlet. Investigation revealed bad design of the cooling water pipe from the gearbox oil cooler which should have, but didn’t, supply the exhaust cooling jacket on the boat’s side. A more efficient driver would have prevented the damage from reaching such serious proportions.

At all times and during Fleet concentrations in particular, there is a great demand for boats for libertymen, exercises, banyans etc.etc.etc. They are also required by Survey vessels for inshore work. In consequence the engines come under the hands of a varied assortment of drivers and, considering the rugged existence they lead, they are more reliable than one might expect.

117174

The Scheme of Compliment for the maintenance of ships and craft in reserve allows for: one C.E.R.A., four E.R.A.s, one P.O.M.(E), four L.M.(E)s, and nine M.(E)s, one of whom is the Shipwright’s Mate. One P.O.M. (E) and one M. (E) are also allowed for M.F.V. 1044, the vessel used by the B. and M.D.U. Because of the age of its main engine (Lister 4 EPVMG) and auxiliaries (one Lister CE2 and one Gardner 2 L2) this vessel receives more than its share of maintenance. On one occasion when the vessel was operating in the Port Swettenham area, the main engine was badly damaged. At that time, no engine room crew was allowed and the frequent changes necessary to man the vessel were most unsatisfactory.
The L.M.(E) in charge was injured on board and it was necessary to send him to a local hospital. The M(E) then took charge, and in his ignorance, failed to prime the lubricating scavenge pump on starting the engine, with consequent failure of all the bearings. This occurrence is not uncommon with this type of engine as explained in B.R.1986, Article 0302 (c). A copy of this Article is, and always has been, displayed at the engine starting position. Engine repairs were undertaken locally and were of such poor standard the engine required a complete refit on arrival at Singapore.

SINGAPORE COMMUNICATIONS (W/T STATIONS)

Two W/T stations- Kranji and Suara- are each provided with one E.R.A. to maintain air-conditioning plants and emergency Diesel generators.

At Kranji, ten miles from TERROR, the Officer-in-Charge and his officers live on the Station. Accommodation for ratings is also provided, with galleys and associated machinery, refrigerators and the usual services.

Suara W/T Station, across the road from TERROR, differs in that no accommodation exists, the machinery, however is very similar.

At Kranji, Asian watchkeepers are employed full time on the air conditioning plant of 500,000 BTU/hr which supplies the transmitting and receiving rooms.
Failure of the plant would make the building untenable in a very short space of time. Defects are, therefore, dealt with promptly.

117173

Four Paxman 12 YHA Diesels with a total output of 600 kVA are available as emergency generators. As interruptions in the power supply are unacceptable, these machines are always at immediate notice, and are manned accordingly.

The installation of these machines was completed this year. In 1958 when only two sets were available, they were temporarily housed in a building previously used as a Fire Engine shed. Initial trials, carried out under these temporary arrangements were the cause of much concern as the machines overheated and cut out on automatic watchkeeper when the circulating water temperature reached 180 degrees F.
Efforts to improve the air supply to the building, for engine aspiration and the air-cooled radiator, watched by a worried Paxman representative from the U.K., failed to overcome the problem, and the machines were reluctantly de-rated to 90% of their designed output. It was therefore with considerable relief, and with all eyes on the thermometer in the circulating water system, that trials in the new generator station were entirely satisfactory.

Suara W/T station is considerably larger than Kranji, with a corresponding increase in the capacity of the air-conditioning plant and Diesel generators.
The A.C.P.. with an output of 2.5 million BTU/hr supplies air of the correct
humidity and temperature essential to the efficient operation of the W/T rooms.
The main room itself is a veritable mass of complicated electronic equipment
which is a constant source of fascination to the Author, taught as he was, to
suspect anything not driven by steam.

Three English Electric 4 SRK Diesels, with an output of 900 kVA, are
available as standby generators. These have recently been installed and, unlike
Kranji with A.S.II. 2 engines, these are, to the best of the Author's knowledge,
non-standard engines. The generators are interesting in that they are mounted
on portable skids in two distinct sections. One section contains the actual
Diesel and dynamo while the other carries an air compressor, fuel, lubricating
oil and water, the radiator, various electrical switchgear and, of all things in
Singapore, a Swirlyflow boiler complete with galley type sprayer to provide hot
water for starting. The two sections are connected by hoses to provide the
various services.

PERSONNEL.

The Engine Room Department work a normal day-work routine with a
mid-week ' make and mend ' and two weeks' station leave annually. The
Scheme of Complement is generally adequate when the incidence of sickness
is low. Ratings with tropical skin diseases who are not allowed contact with oil
or dirt are the frequent cause of the Author having several E.O.'s writers.
Complications also arise when vessels of the Reserve Fleet are, as is often the
Case, in dockyard hands. The consequent division of labour, the requirement
for transport and the supervision of junior ratings and Asians by the single
P.O.M.E. have all to be considered.
Asian watchkeepers are employed for the majority of shore based equipment.
'They are reliable and generally display more interest than naval ratings in work
of a monotonous and routine nature. Their greatest asset is, however, the fact
that they are always available for the job they are intended to do. Naval
ratings, on the other hand, are required for such things as ceremonial gauards,
riot squads and an assortment of other duties. The popular impression of a
shore establishment is that it is teeming with hands. TERROR is, in fact, hard
pressed to muster a guard of respectable proportions and the sudden disappearance of ninety per cent of the M.(E)s is taken as a matter of course.
A variety of jobs come the way of the Engine Room Department. Four
inshore minesweepers have been transferred to the Royal Malayan Navy in
the last two years. These arrived in R.F.A.s and required much attention before
they were ready for transfer. defect lists had to be compiled, harbour and sea trials had to be carried out, trials reports made and every single item of spare gear mustered in the presence of their future owners before they were finally accepted.

Training of junior ratings for advancement has always been a problem.
M(E)s accompanied by their wives and families, are loathe to spend several weeks at sea to obtain their A.W.K.s. Single ratings on the other hand, are usually only too pleased to have the opportunity to have a change of scenery, especially if the trip includes a visit to Hong Kong or Australia.

CONCLUSION.

A plumber's life ashore is far from dull and he can expect to be called upon
to undertake a variety of unusual jobs.
Whether it be, as once it was the case, studying the mechanics of a lighthouse and planning to operate the six in the Singapore area with M (E) s as lighthouse keepers, studying the organisation of a large civilian petrol filling station and planning to take over, or taking charge of a Riot squad, toting a forty-five, which was more of a menace to the Riot squad than to possible rioters.

It is in a day's work.


The signal convening a Fleet Board for engine-room ratings invariably
includes a requirement for ' one engineer lieutenant from TERROR'. Considerable experience is, therefore, gained in this field sometimes with amusing results.
On one occasion a candidate informed the Board that his engineer didn't
believe in boiler compound and never used the stuff! The President's reaction
can be quite alarming on such occasions especially if he happens to be the
S.E.O. of the ship in question.

All TERROR’s officers are in the Officer of the Day's union, another job packed with excitement, especially on pay week ends with the Fleet in. Except for rum issues, this duty does not interfere with the day's work but usually entails a session at the Commander's table the following morning and the Captain's table for more serious cases.

It would he unfair to conclude this article without mention of the assistance
rendered by the overworked Department of the Chief Engineer of the Dockyard.

Ecause of limited complement and the lack of some equipment, it is necessary
in some cases to refer major defects to the C.E. Department. The refrigerator shop in the dockyard is a hive of industry looking after all the refrigerators and
air-conditioners ashore, which includes shore establishments and married
quarters, and afloat.
Likewise. the I.C.E. shop is hard pressed to meet all the
commitments from ships, submarines and the innumerable craft attached to
the Port Auxiliary Service.

Mention of only two small departments has been made, but with the addition of C.M.S.s, both operational and reserve, and submarines to the Far East Station, it is in the Author's humble opinion that considerable additions to the dockyard's services will have to be made if an acceptable standard of efficiency is to be maintained.

[Mitch Hinde]

Hi Andy

An excellent and funny read, thanks for posting.

Mitch Hinde

[Teuchter]

Yes thanks for that Andy - BZ