Thread: Navy History- A little warrie and some very salty 15 &16 year old Gents- 35 years on

Haaa bunks - shear luxury, when I first went to sea we had hammocks - mine was over the top of the mess fridge and as the hammock ropes stretched over night and the knots tightened the hammock dropped a bit onto the top of the fridge - each time the fridge flashed up and vibrated you would get a cheap thrill - also at the bottom of the mess ladder and the hatch was normally open with the occasional wet bits coming down making for a great nights sleep.

Arh - the good old days - dont miss them one bit

sailed

Originally Posted by NavyDiver

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1900 Navy Surgeons kit- Sad thinking how well this was utilized.
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I still do not fit in my Bunk on HMAS Vampire. ( I know its the SS mess Bob- poetic licences taken. I have a photo of me in my bunk its in the off limits areas ) It is amazing how much long it took me to get into a middle bunk 35 years later

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Toilet on a O boat- Submarine- I can you guess why I did not volunteer ? the bunks are tighter than the ones on Vampire

IMG20190323114727.jpgMy crew in the engine room of the sub

IMG20190323111047.jpg two things of beauty

IMG20190323131444.jpg My first toys
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IMG20190323133036.jpg Seriously wow. A Navy Rabbit
IMG20190323133851.jpg1942 midget sub. The smallest people I know could not possibly get inside that hatch!!!
IMG20190323133830.jpgIMG20190323133040.jpgThe sword of the very brave Japanese sailor who was killed RIP. No longer an enemy fellow sailor. Note the family markings on the handle.

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Hmas Adelaide.jpgMy crew, Two four ringers, CPO and missing a WO all still doing the hard yards. Flight deck of HMAS Adelaide LHD01. One very impressive ship. A You tube for those who likes some Video



Sydney is wonderful. I loved running all over the place as the Sun rose every day. Over and back over the coat hanger and RAN sailing school, Darling harbor and on to HMAS Penguin - I may need new runners again.

One Final note-Sydney lock out rules are PITA. I was drinking water most of the time. As one gent got a little over the whole lot of us got turfed from the Rocks to the Cross. Had they refused to server the drunkard any thing but water and defused the issue rather than make needlessly aggressive collective punishment. They also letting every other pub that some water drinking totally sober and 20 other very un offensive people are some who violent offenders was way over the top. The several police officers chuckled like most of us did about any chance we would be visiting Sydney pubs again for a long time.

I always go on a walk down memory lane, if I can get a leave pass. Trouble is, The Rockers is a yuppie pub [ They don't even raffle prostitutes on paydays any more.] The Brooklyn doesn't exist [ or I couldn't find it] I'm afraid the Sydney of my youth has grown up. Still a beautiful place, around the harbour. I make a point of walking past where Johnnies used to be, one day I was deep in thought standing in the doorway, a smile on my face from some of the memories, when an old dear came up asked me If I was alright. Still there is the Manly ferry, the trip to Manly is worth the trip to Sydney, I see North Head, and remember when we sailed away, my Wife used to go to North Head with the kids, to wave. [ We lived at Manly] It was a bit of a tradition, I'd go to the flying bridge , each time we sailed. And watch until I couldn't see them. Same coming home after a deployment. [ Unless I was on watch, or SSD. ]

Anyway, enough of that. I remember once when ammunitioning on Vampire at some small island right up the harbour, they had a museum in a building there, chock full of relics. This museum at Garden Island sounds good, definitely worth a look. I also try to get to the Naval Chapel, for some quiet reflection. Getting on the grog in the Rocks is not what it used to be. Jolly Jack can't get jolly any more. I normally give a mate a ring, and we do a pub crawl [ a very small one] large groups at the Rocks are scrutinised closely, one or two people blend in.

Still, a walk down memory lane down there just reinforces why we live where we live.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

Haaa bunks - shear luxury, when I first went to sea we had hammocks - mine was over the top of the mess fridge and as the hammock ropes stretched over night and the knots tightened the hammock dropped a bit onto the top of the fridge - each time the fridge flashed up and vibrated you would get a cheap thrill - also at the bottom of the mess ladder and the hatch was normally open with the occasional wet bits coming down making for a great nights sleep.

Arh - the good old days - dont miss them one bit

Oddly I do. 20 countries prior ro turning 18 and and for it was cool in my view. Billions of stars during night watches and many very good mates.

I did get it easy. Noticeable progression in bunks from DEs. Vamps, DDGs then the FFGs. The new LHD 01 has private coffee machines. No International Roast or pablo in sight. I think the boys and girls pay for it themselves I add!

Originally Posted by NavyDiver

Oddly I do. 20 countries prior ro turning 18 and and for it was cool in my view. Billions of stars during night watches and many very good mates.

I did get it easy. Noticeable progression in bunks from DEs. Vamps, DDGs then the FFGs. The new LHD 01 has private coffee machines. No International Roast or pablo in sight. I think the boys and girls pay for it themselves I add!

The Canadians had beer machines, back in the day. One made the mistake of berthing alongside Brisbane, in Pearl, after RIMPAC. 25 cents a beer. Our XO couldn't work out why the ship, was deserted at lunchtime. The senior sailors were invited to the USN Chiefs mess ashore. For lunch. The only mess I've seen with Female pole dancers , it was a nightclub, mess by name only. The Jimmy had no option but to declare it a session.

Thanks for those really interesting recollections of a different time lads.

Other people's lives seem more interesting sometimes.

Re the Japanese Midget attack. I remember it well & the effect it had at the time on the population of Oz.

Late 85 and early 86 on Building 215 has a few memories. Some good, some not so much.

Originally Posted by bob10

sailed

I always go on a walk down memory lane, if I can get a leave pass. Trouble is, The Rockers is a yuppie pub [ They don't even raffle prostitutes on paydays any more.] The Brooklyn doesn't exist [ or I couldn't find it] I'm afraid the Sydney of my youth has grown up. Still a beautiful place, around the harbour. I make a point of walking past where Johnnies used to be, one day I was deep in thought standing in the doorway, a smile on my face from some of the memories, when an old dear came up asked me If I was alright. Still there is the Manly ferry, the trip to Manly is worth the trip to Sydney, I see North Head, and remember when we sailed away, my Wife used to go to North Head with the kids, to wave. [ We lived at Manly] It was a bit of a tradition, I'd go to the flying bridge , each time we sailed. And watch until I couldn't see them. Same coming home after a deployment. [ Unless I was on watch, or SSD. ]

Anyway, enough of that. I remember once when ammunitioning on Vampire at some small island right up the harbour, they had a museum in a building there, chock full of relics. This museum at Garden Island sounds good, definitely worth a look. I also try to get to the Naval Chapel, for some quiet reflection. Getting on the grog in the Rocks is not what it used to be. Jolly Jack can't get jolly any more. I normally give a mate a ring, and we do a pub crawl [ a very small one] large groups at the Rocks are scrutinised closely, one or two people blend in.

Still, a walk down memory lane down there just reinforces why we live where we live.

Ah there are some memories , The Rockers , Johnies , Tattlers , and then to the Kings to stire up the Pongo,s .

Hammocks for me too , were Ok if you pinch some broom handles to wedge in the ends .

I told my Mum " when i grow up i want to be a Sailor " , she said " Son you cant do both " .

Originally Posted by Fatso

Ah there are some memories , The Rockers , Johnies , Tattlers , and then to the Kings to stire up the Pongo,s .

Hammocks for me too , were Ok if you pinch some broom handles to wedge in the ends .

I told my Mum " when i grow up i want to be a Sailor " , she said " Son you cant do both " .

Yes, the Frisco, Bells, Buncha's, I see a pattern here. Not to mention the SCG, standing on eskies full of beer to watch the footy. My future wife was a student at the Catholic girls school next door to Johnnies, whilst my mates and I partook of the rum session. Unknown to both of us, of course. To balance the ledger, Dempster cup rugby, at Rushcutters Bay, sailing out of Rushcutters bay, up to goat island for the weekend. Lots of memories.