Idling time away on the magic of Google image I thought I wonder if I could find picture's of the ships I have traveled on.... sure enough..there they were......did not worry about canoes,rubber ducke's or tinies.....it suddenly dawned on me...I have probably spent more time at sea than some sailors....I think I will apply for my water wings...TomBSS Georic....is correct spelling.....we called it the George-it........TomB
Let us know when it docks.
I traveled in a bit more comfit.....as the ships were ....old Ocean Liners and not built/converted to Troop carriers, we traveled in cabins..6 in my case, from memory,.....had good access to the ship so the voyages were okay...The trip on the carrier would have been something like your experience... it was converted to a troop carrier....crowded......at least it was only for a few days and the weather was fine......I was about 19 at the time...Gee ...dont time fly...regards TomB
Thank you for that...very interesting...especially ...looking down the funnel...bloody hell...can relate to the flat bottom bit....though a very short trip in a small landing craft ......the Herc aint the best way to travel...ear wise.....have flown a bit in the Herc.....the short trips just as uncomfortable as the long trips.......my ocean trips have been in calm waters...had some rough weather in 12/16 footers but that was later in my own time as a civilian.....it is fun to look back at the past ...most time's you completely forget bout it......almost forgot.....did you ever come across the old 62 and 68 radio's the Brits used during the war and still in the mid 1950's ?.....got stuck with a 68 once...heavy bloody things....bty almost as big as a car bty...that was what it seemed to me at the time...regards TomBThe RFA Sir Bedivere. Used to fly most everywhere - usually in a Hercules - and arrive deafened!
I sailed on this one several times for exercises in Europe, when we took our vehicles with us. Because these are really large landing craft vessels - they have a flat bottom and roll about in rough weather. I remember being sat in my 3 tonner (chained down to the top deck) and watching her sister ship Sir Gallahad - sailing alongside roll towards us as we rolled towards her. For a moment, I looked down her funnel and saw the glow of her boiler burning. That's when I realised we had rolled 45 degrees towards her - and she had rolled 45 degrees towards us!! That was a strange feeling.
I was sat in my truck - because there was fresh air up on top. Down below - where we all bunked - it was pretty grim. The food on board was excellent though - and I remember that all the cooks were of Chinese origin. Couldn't understand a word they said - but excellent cooks. usually plenty of it too - as many couldn't eat any food , once we got into the North Sea. Thankfully, that never bothered me when I was a young lad - I'd eat anything, anywhere and anytime! As a Radio-operator - we were used to dashing about - and often ate whenever and wherever we could.
I found out recently that both ships had been de-commissioned by the UK - and sold on to the Brazilian Navy. Here she is. jb
Have not read the book so I do not understand your reference...if your quote was merely "Ship of Fools"...I might misunderstand it to read ...Merchant seamen...RN Sailor's and Commonwealth Force's are fools...as I have mention before ,I have not read the book. so your remark goes over my head...cheers TomBI've travelled on the Ship of Fools
I have to say that the highlight was on the United States on the rear deck in a raging storm one night. The ship was rolling some, and pitching fore and aft in 40-50 ft waves. The wind was roaring across the superstructure. I had woken up feeling queasy so my mother took me up on deck for some air. A few minutes of that sea air coupled with the spectacle chased it all away. It was one of the most exciting experiences of my life.
jb Not familiar with radio's after 1957...swapped the radio for a rifle...nowhere near as heavy....early line of sight..valve radio were almost hopeless on voice in the the Malayan jungle...dipole aerials ( not the easiest things to erect in the jungle) did help a bit...the Brit radio's were replaced in the infantry in about 1956 by an Aust radio ... the 105 set made by AWA from memory....it was lighter..was in two parts ( Bty...Wrls)...and hooked onto your belt in the same position as your ammo pouches...so that you carried the set in the same place your ammo pouches would normally be... ..and because of being less burdened by the much heavier set ...I lost my pistol and got a rifle...line of sight commutations no better than the old 68.....Morse code....both set were fine on Morse...but,,,regimental sigs were only voice trained, hence the prop with comms......Bet it was Cold...Windy... and bloody miserable on that mountain top in Wales....also bet the comms were top notch .......thanks for the chance of a chat...enjoyed it....regards TomB........PS.....good on yer for giving the squaddie's ( Grunts) a brew....it would have been appreciated I am sure....a bit of humor.....in the last unit I was in...the sig's (Corp of Signals attached ) were called "Chooks"...not Sigs,,,,,,never thought to ask why...it was just one of those nick names you get in the Army
A very good cure for sea sickness...but I would not recommend it......funny thing.......the manly Ferry in Sydney could have some rough trips....crossing the Heads (entrance to Sydney Harbor)...in the winter.....I had the bejesus scared outta me on one trip when I a kid....regards TomB....PS...that pic of the Manly ferry is the South Stern ...built in Scotand in the early 1900's I think and sailed to Aust....the seaworthiness of the ferry was never a doubt...it was just chicken me who thought it was going to turned into a submarine.
That is as good as any an explanation for "Chooks"....Lt Col Fritz was a 2nd Lt I/C chooks in 69/70 in a SAS Sqn in Vietnam.......he would have some idea I guess........regards TomB...PS...knowall aint I
