大象传媒

HMS Volage after commissioning was on evolutions (working up trials) in Scapa Flow (Orkneys) and at sea.

Having completed exercises with a British submarine. Hide and seek, for asdic operators with equipment for identifying enemy subs (U Boats).

A ping sound is emitted from a dome apparatus under ship, if a ping is vibrated back off a sub, whale, or shoal of fish, rock etc. operators with practice and with experience, decipher difference between each.

A considered ping from a U Boat, operator would inform Bridge, a decision would be taken to attack, depth charge crews alerted, executed by dropping charges over the stern of ship, a key would be inserted to arm charge and to set depth control, cannon operators would throw other charges out each side of ship.

HMS Wizard also on working up trials, with depth charge crews closed, had order to proceed back in to Scapa to anchor.

We proceed on another exercise with asdic operators still closed up made contact with a sub. Volage made a dummy run.

Orders to return to flow to anchor a cables length from Wizard, also received message to say British subs had returned to depot ship half an hour before our dummy run, did we really have a contact with a U Boat?

Approaching HMS Wizard us on the foc鈥檚le ready to drop anchor on orders, noticed that Wizard a cable length away had her stern underwater, slooping from Y-gun aft. We on board Volage, tried to imagine what catastrophe had happened to Wizard.

Shortly our motor boat went away after we had anchored to the stricken ship, with some three badges A.B. (21 years service each).

On their return, we soon were told, each A.B. given a tot of rum, told to go down after mess Wizard to pull out bodies (Navy practice not to let Ship Company do this job if possible).

Badge A.B.s stated given bags to place head, torso, tow arms, two legs, save identity discs, best in the situation that can be done.

Asking the returned party how Wizard had received dame. Was told, orders received to anchor from the Bridge, for foc鈥檚le party to let go anchor. Don aft, the depth charge party had not been dismissed, on order let go, let go a depth charge over the stern, which blew the stern up.

There must have been an inquiry later. Wizard was repaired and enter R.N. Service.

Lofty John Mills

AN EVOLUTION WITH HMS HOWE BATTLESHIP MAY 1944

HMS Volage for exercise and evolutions working up to join Home Fleet on commissioning as a new ship.

One exercise was to oil ship from HMS Howe in Scapa Flow (Orkneys).

Both ships steaming alongside each other, same speed, parallel to each other, a cables length apart.

The evolution was for Howe鈥檚 crane to swing out of ship side with oil pipe attached, for connecting Volage.

Suddenly both ships collided and slowly came to stop. Sky overcast, only a slight breeze and swell.

Myself with other shipmates on duty on Volage鈥檚 foc鈥檚le, orders to put fenders out. For a moment both ships were locked, then Volage proceeded to go astern slowly.

A large projection bracket, attached to Howe, was resting on Volage鈥檚 foc鈥檚les deck. As Volage slowly going astern, a flame nine inches high from friction slowly advanced along Volage deck.

Knocking guard rails off one by one. 1st Lieutenant (Jimmy) was shouting at us, don鈥檛 drop the fenders; hold on to them as the flame advanced towards us.

Splinters of metal were flying about that time. Fortunately no casualties. The two ships slowly came apart, and Howe鈥檚 bracket eased off Volage鈥檚 deck.

From near disaster, an interesting incident occurred, our Middy (Midshipman) recognised a Captain of Marines on Howe鈥檚 quarter deck, and both leaned over their ships side, shook hands and passed compliments of the day.

Exercise aborted

Lofty John Mills
For the next chapter in the story go to: A8890527

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