HMS Victorious

[ivorthediver]

Jim , just been looking at the thread again and your post of painting nets , and noticed that some of the portholes are square .

For what were these used please and are they still referred to as scuttles please

For all the Regulars who probably think Ive died , sorry for the lack of progress , but I am hoping to get on with her when my back" ops" show the benefit they promised ...i.e. I can bend over and work on her again as there is masses to do yet .

[Vegaskip]

Hi ivor, different Jim here. I think what you are referring to are ventilation trunking inlets.
There were. Rectangular type 'ports' on some ships, but mostly 'down aft' in senior officer's quarters. I have no idea what they called them.
Jim

[ivorthediver]

Thank you very much Jim and you have confirmed a thought I had after posting.
Around the stern there are alot of Square openings in line just below the flight deck which extend around both sides which I seem to recall may have been adjacent to the Officers Cabins .
These may well be vents running around the stern , but although they are square and I wondered if they may have been "Windows" [excuse me whilst I wash my mouth out ]

[Vegaskip]

Looks about right for Captain / Flag 0fficers Accomodation, from memory. I spent most of my time at the other end or on top.
Photo must be before the final commission, as the Huntress had its own little 'boat deck' stbd after end at catwalk level.
Jim

[ivorthediver]

Yes its post refit Jim 1958 ish I believe but she looks in fine fettle don't you think

[ivorthediver]

Jim, are the pipes that run from beneath the flight deck down to the plimsole line......... drains...... or something else please

Must admit they are on my model but not really sure as to what they are
there are one either side of the opening[2nd] on both sides of the quarterdeck

[Vegaskip]

In all probability, but could not be certain, but there were small drains around the edge of the F/D.
I noticed the small boat boom in the stowed position, right on the stern. I remember waiting at it between trips during a Cocktail Party in Hong Kong, and my DO, putting a glass of Whisky at the end. Certainly warmed the Cockles on a cool Oriental evening.
Jim

[ivorthediver]

Sounds like my kind of Man Jim,

Other than the catwalk lowered on either side of the stern / quarter deck how were the boats secured please.

I know the catwalk was fitted to the quarter deck Brow platform , and the Stern boom had a rope ladder secured to it but what was its designated purpose , as their was a dam great fairlead at the aperture base so getting in and out of there must require a very dextrous rating .

Regards Ivor

[ivorthediver]

More questions Jim ........

What was the Huntress please, as I have listed the following ships boats :-

36ft Pinnace
35ft Fast Motor boat
35ft Fast seaplane Tender
35ft Medium speed boat
32ft Life cutter
27ft Whaler
16ft Fast motor dingy
14ft Sailing dingy

Regards Ivor

[Vegaskip]

The Fairey Huntress was a fast motor boat introduced in the mid to late 1960's as the Captains Motor Boat on 'Major Warships' of the RN
I was lucky enough to be taken with the rest of the two boats crews down to the Fairey Works at Hamble to see 'our' one in the building stages, an excellent day out.
She sat on a wheeled cradle in what was really an enlarged catwalk right aft on the stbd side. She was craned out (Jumbo) and taken to the ships crane for launching and recovery.
Google Fairey Huntress, images for some pics.
Jim
PS
There were boat booms either side about midships used by the rest of the ship's boats. The Booms are used for' Parking' the boats when the ship is at anchor to save hoisting and lowering all the time.

[ivorthediver]

Thanks Jim, that narrows it down .


Ok thanks for the boom information but what about the one on the Stern that you described earlier[ honkers ]

was that used to "Stage " boats waiting to use the stern catwalks to the quarter deck please

[Vegaskip]

You only secured to the boom if you were going to be some time between trips.
When on the boom you would either be maintaining the boat, cleaning ect, or back on board the ship doing other work, or perhaps eating, waiting to be called away. If you were only going to be minutes, you just lay off, and waited to be called along side
The small boom at the stern, I only ever saw it used by the Huntress ,Admiral's Barge or other VIP boats.
Jim

[ivorthediver]

Thank you Jim,

Thought you would know and have often wondered how it was actually used given the height from the boat up to the Quarter Deck.

The Whalers slung on the Port/Starboard aft where on rails and two deep if I remember correctly ,but the Motor boats hoisted on deck by the derrick which were stowed forward on the Starboard Catwalk ...were they on dollies as some photos I have seen show them stowed on the flight deck near the Starboard set of landing lights ..is this correct.... as most of the flight deck pictures do not show them stowed here , apart from the space taken up reserved for Aircraft picketing ...ant thoughts on this please

[Vegaskip]

I think we need a bit of terminology here.
Cat walk, gangway like deck about 3 - 4 feet wide, either side of flight deck, contains various equipment eg fire point,( hydrant and locker with drums of foam compound) Fuel points, electrical and other a/c related equipment.
Where there is no catwalks there is usually safety nets.
Sponson, structure built out from the ships side, takes gun mounts, boats etc.
The large cut out spaces in the ships side are, mooring spaces PV (paravane) spaces etc. Cable deck forward, anchor handling, and mooring.
Quarterdeck aft, mooring and cocktail parties
Flight Deck, promenade for stokers chefs greenies and jack dusties etc. Reception area for stores, sports arena, bigger cocktail parties, skeet shooting, air operations, parking space for Pongo Vehicles while transporting them to exotic far away places.
Goofers Deck, grand stand for watching all the above.
Jim

[ivorthediver]

Wonderful phrasing Jim

Sat here with tears running down my checks picturing what you describe whilst bearing in mind that which you describe so well ooooo and point taken

Kind Regards Ivor

[Vegaskip]

The thing is Ivor, it is all perfectly true. The Carrier is just like a small town with an airfield, life goes on. You go to work( sometimes funny hours) get your hair cut, go for a stroll after your evening meal, ( subject to flying) then off to the pictures. Unfortunately not always in that order, especially if you are watch keeping.
Jim

[ivorthediver]

Jim I dont doubt what you say for one moment but your descriptive way is much like your painting , full of detail and colour tinged with a dry sense of humour bred from years afore the mast

Your Artistic flair manifests itself in all you embrace ....you lucky sod