Dreadnought
27-02-2010, 12:28
On Sunday, 24th November 1974, I entered the US Naval Station at Norfolk, Virginia, upon the British Antarctic Survey ship RRS Bransfield. We were en route to Antarctica, calling in at Norfolk to embark cargo for the re-supply on the US Antarctic base Palmer Station.
We only were only in Norfolk a short time and I remember we had to escorted everywhere by MP’s and told that when we got outside the base, we were to keep in groups as a British seaman had been murdered a few days earlier.
During our stay, I was invited, with a group of pals, to have lunch on board the amphibious assault ship USS Inchon (LPH-12). We were not allowed to take photographs, but I did manage to sneak the shot shown below as we set off on a small US launch to the ship. As we got closer, I remember being struck by the size of the vertical steel wall stretching high above us. The launch, with us on board was winched up into a huge opening in the side of the hull. Everything about her seemed huge …. even the steaks we had for lunch. I was touched by the overwhelmingly warm welcome we received and the generous hospitality.
So, a little over 35 years later, I would like to say a really big thank you to the US Navy and the officers and crew of the Inchon, for an experience that will forever be a special memory.
This wasn’t the only instance went I was warmly looked after by a US vessel. In February 1977, whilst I and a fellow scientist were carrying out a month long study at Prospect Point on the Antarctic Peninsula, we received a surprise visit by two orange suited Americans from the RV Hero, which had been working nearby and spotted the Union Jack we had raised at our camp. They invited us both back to Hero where we enjoyed a Woody Allen film, steaks (of course), and quite a few well appreciated beers. Hugh, the ship’s cook stocked us up with more steaks to take back to our camp. However, upon returning in the RIB later in the day, we couldn’t get close enough to shore because of ice that had blown in. So it was back to the Hero, where we spent the night, returning to shore the next morning.
Another belated thank you to USARP (United States Antarctic Programme), and the officers and crew of RV Hero. Where are you all now guys?
Photographs of Hero and some of the crew (taken at South Georgia 1976 I think)
There is another picture of mine and more about RV Hero here:
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showpost.php?p=75492&postcount=1 (http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showpost.php?p=75492&postcount=1)
Two shots of the US Antarctic base Palmer Station, 1974, one taken looking over the stern and helipad of RRS Bransfield. We didn’t get offered any beers here …dry !!
Some more shots of Inchon, just for interest – not taken by me, but in the public domain.
We only were only in Norfolk a short time and I remember we had to escorted everywhere by MP’s and told that when we got outside the base, we were to keep in groups as a British seaman had been murdered a few days earlier.
During our stay, I was invited, with a group of pals, to have lunch on board the amphibious assault ship USS Inchon (LPH-12). We were not allowed to take photographs, but I did manage to sneak the shot shown below as we set off on a small US launch to the ship. As we got closer, I remember being struck by the size of the vertical steel wall stretching high above us. The launch, with us on board was winched up into a huge opening in the side of the hull. Everything about her seemed huge …. even the steaks we had for lunch. I was touched by the overwhelmingly warm welcome we received and the generous hospitality.
So, a little over 35 years later, I would like to say a really big thank you to the US Navy and the officers and crew of the Inchon, for an experience that will forever be a special memory.
This wasn’t the only instance went I was warmly looked after by a US vessel. In February 1977, whilst I and a fellow scientist were carrying out a month long study at Prospect Point on the Antarctic Peninsula, we received a surprise visit by two orange suited Americans from the RV Hero, which had been working nearby and spotted the Union Jack we had raised at our camp. They invited us both back to Hero where we enjoyed a Woody Allen film, steaks (of course), and quite a few well appreciated beers. Hugh, the ship’s cook stocked us up with more steaks to take back to our camp. However, upon returning in the RIB later in the day, we couldn’t get close enough to shore because of ice that had blown in. So it was back to the Hero, where we spent the night, returning to shore the next morning.
Another belated thank you to USARP (United States Antarctic Programme), and the officers and crew of RV Hero. Where are you all now guys?
Photographs of Hero and some of the crew (taken at South Georgia 1976 I think)
There is another picture of mine and more about RV Hero here:
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showpost.php?p=75492&postcount=1 (http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showpost.php?p=75492&postcount=1)
Two shots of the US Antarctic base Palmer Station, 1974, one taken looking over the stern and helipad of RRS Bransfield. We didn’t get offered any beers here …dry !!
Some more shots of Inchon, just for interest – not taken by me, but in the public domain.