WesWorld

I wanted to start this at the beginning of the SIM year but wasn't organised enough in time. This is going to be a slightly different news thread, a ship's log covering one entire year as an illustration of a typical Royal Navy ship and its movements and little side stories too. I'm surprised its not been done before, but at a time when general news fills like filler this should provide an alternative look.


***

HMS Lancaster


History

Built at Chatham Royal Dockyard
Laid Down 1 January 1934
Launched 18 July 1934
Completed 11 May 1935

Completed builder’s trials 10 June 1935
Handed over the Royal Navy 18 June 1935
Commissioned as His Majesty’s Ship Lancaster 20 July 1935
Joined the 20th Light Cruiser Squadron at Rosyth on 29 July 1935
Appointed Flagship of the 20th Light Cruiser Squadron on 7 August 1935
Refitted with four sextuple .661in HMG mounts in lieu of the original quadruple 14mm HMG mounts 3-29 December 1937

Commanding Officers
Commander T.N. Lennard 18 June 1935 – 26 September 1936
Captain J. Whitworth 26 September 1936 – 14 July 1939
Captain P.R. Worthington DSO 14 July 1939 – 26 October 1941
Captain T.R. Whitlock 26 October 1941 – present

20th Cruiser Squadron Commanding Officer
Rear Admiral H.M. Burrough 29 July 1935 – 16 March 1942
Rear Admiral P.L. Vian 16 March 1942 – present

Oh, that's a neat idea.

Maybe I'll borrow it at some later point!

Great drawing!

Yes, an awesome drawing !!!

1 June 1943
Return to Rosyth after two days of exercises with 16th Destroyer Flotilla and cruisers HMS Scylla and HMS Dido from 19th Light Cruiser Squadron north-west of Orkneys.

2 June
Cleaning ship and making preparations for visit by Commander in Chief Home Fleet, Admiral Tovey scheduled for 5 June.

3 June
Chip fryer in main galley broken down, not fixed until late evening. Much grumbling aboard ship. Day spent cleaning ship and making preparations for visit by Commander in Chief Home Fleet. Most of portside of hull repainted.

4 June
Officers of Squadron gathered for exercise debriefing. Ship given a favourable report by umpires.
Day spent cleaning ship and making preparations for visit by Commander in Chief Home Fleet. Hull repainted, some work on funnels required. Fresh stores loaded aboard for Admiral’s dinner tomorrow.

5 June
Visit by Commander in Chief Home Fleet, Admiral Tovey. Ship dressed with flags and ship’s company turned out in full dress for inspection. Admiral arrived 09:30 made an inspection on quarterdeck, dined with Flag Officer, Captain and Officers before departing at 15:15. Tovey much impressed with recent performance of the squadron and ship.

6 June
Starboard watch sent on five day’s leave. Both seaplanes removed ashore for maintenance. Tonight a film was shown in starboard hangar, a good Great-War submarine drama, We Dive at Dawn.

7 June
Rear Admiral Vian and his staff leave the ship for shore accommodation. Several areas of the superstructure scraped and repainted.

8 June
Stoker’s John Bannerhan and Thomas McCloud and Seaman Henry Cole brought before the captain on charges of disturbing the peace and assault. Last night in the Fox and Hounds public house there was a brawl between members of the crew and sailors from HMS Yorker. Two sailors from HMS Yorker were injured and two plate glass windows were smashed in the building and several chairs broken. A Military Police shore patrol arrested the three accused and two sailors from HMS Yorker. None of the three defendants could give any defence of their actions and all were docked three days leave. The Captain is seeing the landlord of the Fox and Hounds in regard to possible claims for damages against the ship’s crew.

9 June
Chief Engineer sent list of spares request to Admiralty. Several areas of the superstructure scraped and repainted. Officer’s mess redecoration begun.

10 June
Training begun for the Squadron Regatta boat race. Coxswain and two Leading Seamen and ten sailors selected for this year’s team and the ship’s boats have begun refurbishment. Captain’s permission granted for two hours of training and an extra hour of exercise each day for the team. HMS Lancaster has not won the Squadron Regatta since 1939.

11 June
Officer’s mess redecoration completed and two new chairs purchased. Captain’s wife came aboard to open the new mess and officer’s party tonight. The Rear Admiral will host a squadron officers party in one week’s time.

12 June
Port watch sent on five day’s leave. Several areas of the superstructure scraped and repainted.

13 June
A sad day for the lower decks as Chief Petty Officer Charles Hubbard (known to the men as Hob-Nail Face Hubbard) retires from sea duty today and left the ship after twenty-five year’s sea duty and six years aboard HMS Lancaster. The Captain presented him with a small gift before he parted the ship.

14 June
Chief Engineer conducting boiler tests all day on No.4 boiler.

15 June
Sooty funnel repainted today. Casualty evacuation drills.

16 June
Turret drills in A turret and gunnery drills at forward starboard gun 3.7in mount. This evening a lecture was held on hygiene below decks in the starboard hangar.

[SIZE=1]A Turret during the loading and firing drills[/SIZE]

17 June
Rear Admiral Vian holds a squadron party in the newly redecorated officer’s mess. Officers from all the cruisers in the squadron attended and some brass from Rosyth. The party went well and was a success. Dinner was very good and of best quality produce from town.

18 June
Whole ship’s company assembled this afternoon for Captain’s talk and inspection. Officer’s enjoyed leftovers from yesterday’s party for dinner.

19 June
Ship put to sea for anti-aircraft exercises with HMS Leviathan and aircraft of 143 Squadron, No 18 Group, Coastal Command from RAF Leuchars. Ship attacked by a variety of torpedo-bomber profiles flown at low altitudes and with combining attacks. The ship’s tally was four Bristol Beauforts. Two torpedoes were combed. After departing exercise area ship returned to port.

20 June
04:00 orders come through to leave harbour within two hours. All crew awakened and stations manned for leaving harbour. Boilers brought on line and ship manoeuvred out of berth with tug assistance at 05:48. Left Rosyth at speed followed by HMS Leonidas and destroyers HMS Xena and HMS Yukon of 12th Destroyer Flotilla. Once in open waters preceded at high speed to point Tango Charlie Four, arrived at 08:27. Rear Admiral Vian in command of force, commenced raider searching pattern according to exercise orders. 11:08 ran into fog bank, formation loosened and eventually in clearer visibility by 11:55. Box search pattern set up and enemy cruiser ‘R’ (HMS Kingfisher) spotted off port quarter at 13:14. Acting in concert with HMS Yukon chased down ‘R’ and brought her to combat. Ten salvos fired and HMS Yurkon made a long-range torpedo attack. HMS Leonidas and HMS Xena arrived on scene at 13:48 and ‘R’ declared severely damaged and surrendered. Damage to ship limited to ten casualties and four hits along portside with port middle 3.7in mount declared knocked out. After exercise course set north to Scapa Flow.

21 June
Anchored at Scapa Flow at 01:40. Live ammunition released in magazine and gunnery evaluation group came aboard at 09:20. HMS Lancaster and HMS Leonidas weigh anchor at 10:15 at set course for firing ranges. 11:40 begin live shoot at target buoys. A and X turrets used for live firing exercises. Score of 80 determined. Second attempt at range at 13:50, scored 75. 120 live shells expended in total. Returned to anchorage overnight.

22 June
Set sail at 10:10 for anti-aircraft exercises with HMS Leonidas and destroyers HMS Xena and HMS Yukon of 12th Destroyer Flotilla. Aircraft of No 1 Carrier Aircraft Group from Ayr, 802 Squadron with Fairey Firefly fighters and 811 Squadron and 832 Squadron with Fairey Barracuda torpedo-bombers. Ship’s tally was four Barracudas. Fly-boy’s claimed two torpedo hits and one dive-bomb hit from a Firefly fighter. Exercise lasted two hours. Return to Scapa Flow, anchored 14:26.

23 June
Day of rest at anchor as planned firing shoot abandoned owing to poor visibility. Damage control drills and casualty evacuation drills conducted. Cleaning of turrets and barrels continues and several areas of the superstructure scraped and repainted. This evening officers from 16th Destroyer Flotilla came aboard for dinner.

24 June
Set sail at 09:40 for anti-aircraft exercises with HMS Leonidas and destroyers HMS Xena and HMS Yukon of 12th Destroyer Flotilla and HMS Zephyr, HMS Zoe and HMS Zorro of 16th Destroyer Flotilla. Aircraft of No 1 Carrier Aircraft Group from Ayr, 802 Squadron with Fairey Firefly fighters and 811 Squadron and 832 Squadron with Fairey Barracuda torpedo-bombers. Ship’s tally was three Barracudas and one Firefly. Pilot’s claimed two torpedo hits and one dive-bomb near-miss from a Firefly fighter. Exercise lasted two hours. Force then proceeded to practice manoeuvring at high speeds in formation for tactical exercises 14:10 to 15:30. With HMS Leonidas and destroyers HMS Xena and HMS Yukon set course for Rosyth.

25 June
Back to home berth at 04:30. Ship’s crew back to normal running routine. Rest of ammunition disembarked.

26 June
Rear Admiral Vian and his staff leave the ship for shore accommodation. Several areas of the superstructure scraped and repainted. One Fairey Seafox (K4304) taken back aboard following maintenance and air test. Used for dummy catapult training this evening. Educational films shown in starboard hangar this evening.

27 June
Normal duties aboard ship. Stores of fresh fruit and veg arrived this afternoon. Rear Admiral Vian and his staff came aboard at 18:00.

28 June
Squadron map command exercise carried out in Admiral’s quarters today with commanding officers and staffs from all the cruisers in the squadron between 10:00 and 16:30. Official squadron dinner this evening in the Admiral’s quarters with drinks after in the officer’s mess.

29 June
Captain toured ship, pleased with the condition of the vessel and its upkeep and the turnout of the sailors. The naval war film ‘The Silver Fleet’ shown in starboard hangar tonight.

30 June
Boat crews conducted drills during the morning. Medical Officer began medical inspection of the crew. Chip fryer in the galley broken again and much complaining by the crew.

1 July
Dummy catapult seaplane training this morning followed by damage party exercises in X turret magazines. Captain posted orders against too much sunbathing on the after decks. New Chief Petty Officer N. Cornell enforced new orders with recourse to high-pressure water hosepipe. This evening one boy sailor (G. Martin) listed as AWOL. Military Police ashore notified.

2 July
Second Fairey Seafox (K3487) taken back aboard following maintenance and air test. Normal routine.

3 July
The Squadron Regatta boat race was held today. Around 5,000 people from Rosyth turned out to watch as did most of the naval base personnel. Our plucky team came a close second behind the team from HMS Largs (their first victory). Leonidas’ team came third, Leander’s fourth, Leviathan’s fifth and Latona’s a close sixth. Rear Admiral Vian presented the winner’s trophy (a polished 6in engraved shell case) to the winning team.

4 July
Rear Admiral Vian and his staff leave the ship for shore accommodation. At 15:40 a Military Police escort brought boy sailor G. Martin back aboard. He was picked up at Victoria Station, London. He was placed in the cells overnight until his appearance before the Captain in the morning.

5 July
Boy sailor G. Martin made his appearance before the Captain this morning. Punished by removal of eleven days leave. Dockyard supervisor came aboard before lunch to settle dates of ship’s cleaning. Ship will go into drydock on 18 July.

6-9 July
Normal routine.

10 July
Left Rosyth harbour at 08:40 for co-operation exercises with RAF Coastal Command. Performed patrol search patterns. Returned to harbour 17:15.

11 July
Ship’s laundry stopped working due to mechanical defect. Ship’s cat, Lady Caramel, has had four kittens.

12 July
Left Rosyth at 09:40 with HMS Leonidas. Set course for Humber Estuary. Docked at Kingston-Upon-Hull at 18:10.

14 July
Left harbour at 06:00 for rendezvous with HMS Fury, Fame, Firedrake and Foresight of the 22nd Destroyer Flotilla and HMS Skiddaw and Ben More Assynt of the 9th Sloop Flotilla for combined exercises. Formation drills, anti-submarine patrols, anti-submarine defensive tactics and mock convoy-protection drills. At 16:00 aerial exercise with attacks by Mosquito bombers of 571 Sqn, RAF Oakingham, Bomber Command. Only one ‘kill’ scored by our gunners. Determined by judges to have suffered three 500lb near-misses.

15 July
00:30-02:30 nocturnal formation keeping and night gunnery practice. At 07:30 aerial exercise again involving Mosquito bombers of 571 Sqn, RAF Oakingham, Bomber Command. Strafing tactics practiced but two Moquitos claimed as ‘kills’. 15% AA crews determined killed or wounded. 10:00 ASW exercises. Arrived off the Wash at 14:00 and supported Coastal Defence Squadron (HMS General Crawford, General Pakenham and General Picton) in coastal suppressive fire against shore targets. At 16:40 set course for Kingston-Upon-Hull. Docked 18:54.

16 July
Left harbour at 09:05 and began final day of joint exercises with the 22nd Destroyer Flotilla. HMS Leonidas acted as surface raider. At 15:25 exercise concluded and course set for home.

17 July
Docked 04:10 and ship’s crew disembarked to shore accommodation. De-storing ship commenced at 10:30 and continued all day. Ship’s fuel tanks emptied. All ammunition types removed.

18 July
Both Fairey Seafox landed ashore. Steaming party docked ship into Number Two Dock at 11:40. All ship’s crew ashore by 15:00 and leave passes handed out to eligible crew. Work on cleaning ship expected to last until 30 July.

1 August
Steaming party floated ship out of dock and with tug assistance was docked at usual berth.

2 August
Crew on leave returned. Whole crew mustered for Captain’s talk at 15:00 and by 20:00 all hands aboard.

3 August
Ship’s stores embarked all day. Ship’s bunkerage replenished to third-load.

4 August
Both Fairey Seafox embarked. Stores embarked.

An interesting and busy ship! Bravo!

7 August
Competition among the crew to name Lady Caramel’s four kittens has concluded. The winning names are Peggy [Starboard Watch], Blacktail [Port Watch], Porky [Stokers] and Thomas [Officers]. Rear Admiral Vian and his staff came aboard at 18:00.

8 August
Table exercises and damage control and casualty evacuation drills throughout the day.

9 August
Table exercises and gunnery drills in A turret, X turret and all 4in mounts and two pom-pom mounts. Ship’s No.2 generator load tests 15:00 to 18:00.

10 August
Left harbour at 14:00 for full speed trials and emergency manoeuvre tests of steering without rudder. Damage control drills at 16:20. Returned to harbour 19:04.

11 August
Gunnery drills in B turret. Stoker ‘Shorty’ Long has won the Home Fleet Featherweight Boxing Cup knocking out HMS Saint Vincent’s Signalman T. ‘Knuckles’ Faraday in the fourth round. It is Long’s third title (previous 1939 and 1941). Rear Admiral Vian and his staff went ashore at 10:00.

12 August
Accident during boat drill saw two men fall overboard and boat badly damaged. Captain conducted inquiry which found malfunction with the davits. Fryer in the main galley broken again and morale lowered by lack of chips.

13 August
Engineering Officer oversaw completion of repairs to davits and fryer. Both passed tests satisfactorily.

14 August
Left harbour 10:05 and course set for Harwich. Turret drills in Y turret and on starboard 4in mounts. Arrived 21:35.

15 August
Left Harwich at 10:00 and joined formation with sloops HMS Skiddaw and HMS Garnedd Ugain of 9th Sloop Flotilla. Course set for Portsmouth. Double look-outs posted, weather fine. Off Folkestone spotted French reconnaissance aircraft heading parallel to French coast.

16 August
Arrived at Portsmouth 04:10. No.2 boiler not firing well. Normal routine during the day. Some repainting carried out.

17 August
Joined at Portsmouth by HMS Leander and HMS Largs. No.2 boiler refired at 14:30 but sea trials postponed until tomorrow. At 17:00 officers went to HMS Vigilant for official dinner.

18 August
Brief boiler test run in harbour, made sea test 10:20 to 12:14. Rear Admiral Vian and his staff came aboard at 13:00. Officers of HMS Leander and Largs had lunch with the Admiral and ship’s officers. Ship’s bunkers topped off to maximum. Final deliveries of fresh vegetables and fruit aboard by 15:00. Pre-exercise briefing by the Captain to the ship’s crew on the fantail at 18:00.

19 August
Admiral Sir Max Kennedy Horton (Commander in Chief Western Approaches) and small party of staff came aboard for inspection at 10:00. Stayed for lunch and did not depart until 14:50. Gunnery drills carried out 16:00 to 18:00.

20 August
Left harbour at 08:30. Took up station position and headed out into Channel, weather fair, wind scale 2. Commenced exercises with HMS Leander and Largs as escorts to carriers of 4th Carrier Squadron (HMS Ocean and Theseus). Rest of escort comprises HMS Jackal, Javelin, Jersey, Janus, Jutland and Jubilee of the 26th Destroyer Flotilla and HMS Skiddaw and Garnedd Ugain of the 9th Sloop Flotilla. Course set into Western Atlantic. [A covering force of HMS Victorious, King George V, and the cruisers HMS Superb, Bellerophon, Lincoln and the destroyers of the 10th Destroyer Flotilla are also present.]

I'm enjoying these little entries. Please keep up the work.

21 August
Combat drills held 08:00-10:00 and 13:00-15:30. Ship’s crew on full alert. Air support provided by Short Sunderland’s of 210 Sqn, RAF Pembroke Dock and Blackburn Bostons of 201 Sqn, RAF Calshot, Coastal Command. RDF contact by Sunderland investigated by HMS Javelin. Target was a fishing vessel. At 16:21 entered official exercise exclusion zone. Anti-submarine zig-zag begun 16:25.

22 August
Seas rougher today, force six. At 10:04 a Fairey Firefly from HMS Theseus of 882 Sqn crashed into the sea while attempting to land. HMS Jersey managed to get alongside and a boat was lowered to rescue the pilot. Air support provided by Short Sunderland’s of 210 Sqn, RAF Coastal Command. Battle damage drills held 11:00-13:14. Submarine contact by HMS Skiddaw at 13:14, anti-submarine manoeuvres carried out. Believe ASDIC contact fleeting and after an hour chase was abandoned. Casualty evacuation drills at 16:30. Seas rougher, now state seven. Life below decks getting harder. Action stations at 18:04 as portside look-outs spot submarine periscope. In the high seas sighting was lost. HMS Janus conducted ASDIC sweep but found no solid contact. Rough night.

23 August
06:19 air attack on the force. 19 Fairey Barracuda’s from 811 and 832 Sqns, HMS Ark Royal supported by 10 Fairey Firefly, 806 Sqn, HMS Ark Royal spotted. Only HMS Ocean and Theseus have RDF search sets but were able to signal warning report by lamp. All guns manned and ready by 06:05. Group took positions for mutual AA defence. Torpedo bombers made for the carriers, four fighters made bomb-run against us. One claimed by portside pom-pom crew. Judged to have suffered one near-miss. Another strafing run by three more Fireflies behind bombing planes. Starboard-side 3.7in crews awarded a Barracuda ‘kill’. Stood down from action stations at 08:30. Fighters from carriers kept rest of attacking fighters busy and they claimed six aircraft destroyed. Seas still rough, some superficial damage caused to mainmast. At 12:40 sent to investigate surface contact by HMS Theseus some fourteen miles to the west. Visibility poor due to weather but visual contact made at 13:09. Small ship, gunnery officer could not positively identify. A signal was sent requesting vessel to identify herself. Unclear message received by signal lamp. At 13:24 at 9,000 yards range B turret began practice firing against the target as the Captain felt it provided a good exercise given the conditions. Six salvoes were ‘fired’ and the ship claimed as sunk. The vessel was an Iberian tramp and was told to leave the area. We escorted the ship southwards for an hour before returning to the force. Crew stood down 14:50. At 19:20 water entered an electrical switchboard aft and shorted out. Ten compartments in darkness, emergency supplies took twenty minutes to get online. Captain unhappy at state of affairs and Chief Engineer subject to grilling.

24 August
03:50 damaged aft switchboard repaired. Sea a little calmer and less wind. Intensive aerial operations from carriers. One Barracuda baulked a landing and crashed at 15:04, sadly all crew lost. 17:44 air attack on the force. 18 Fairey Barracuda’s from 811 and 832 Sqns, HMS Ark Royal supported by 20 Fairey Fireflies from 806 Sqn, HMS Ark Royal and 805 Sqn, HMS Majestic. HMS Ocean signalled warning report by lamp. All guns manned and ready before first wave arrived. Group took positions for mutual AA defence. Torpedo bombers made for the carriers, four fighters made bomb-run against us. One claimed by portside pom-pom crew. Judged to have suffered one near-miss slowing ship by 1 knot. Damage parties effected ‘repairs’. Two strafing runs by six Fireflies judged to have killed or wounded fourteen gun crew and bridge damaged. Port-side 3.7in crews awarded a Barracuda ‘kill’. HMS Ocean hit once. HMS Leander also hit and both ships reduced to 20 knots. Stood down from action stations at 19:30. 20:30 another attack by 10 Barracudas of unknown unit. Dive-bombing attacks against HMS Ocean. Captain moved ship close alongside and was able to provide cover-fire and starboard-side 3.7in gun crews judged to have ‘downed’ another two Barracudas.

25 August
Covering force moved closer during the night and by dawn ships were visible on the horizon. HMS Skiddaw spotted a periscope at 09:40. HMS Janus and Javelin attacked with depth-charges and nine runs were made. Contact lost twice and after two hours attack abandoned. At 13:12 report received from HMS Largs covering force were engaging three cruisers and four destroyers to the northeast. Admiral Vian changed formation so Largs and Lancaster could protect the carriers if any ship arrived from the north. HMS Leander remained with the carriers who turned south-west. At 14:10 HMS Largs detached to covering force as requested for additional support. Battle to north-west concluded at 16:15 and crews stood down at 16:45 and HMS Largs rejoined formation 18:10. Zig-zag pattern since 15:00.

26 August
Starshell spotted to the north at 02:33. Crew to action stations. No contact by RDF aboard carriers. HMS Janus and Jackal detached to form a scouting screen. Report received battle underway by covering force at 02:56. At 04:10 HMS Janus and Jackal spotted two destroyers on the horizon. We manoeuvred into position to intercept with HMS Largs and at 05:02 opened fire at maximum range. Twenty half salvoes fired. Targets fled to northeast. Largs detached to return to carriers at 05:50 but HMS Janus accompanied us on intercept patrol until 07:10. Admiral Vian satisfied no contacts threatening the force. Rejoined the carriers at 09:20 and covering force joined with us as one battlegroup [minus HMS Lincoln and 2 destroyers judged sunk] at 11:04. Fleet turned southeast. Weather improved with clear skies. Barracuda trailing us was despatched by Fairey Firefly from HMS Theseus at 12:19. 15:09-16:17 another submarine ASDIC contact by 10th Destroyer Flotilla. Ended in successful sinking. 17:00 entered thick squall for protection from spotter planes and submarines and changed course to south and increased speed.

27 August
Exercise completed at 00:01 today and course set for Plymouth. At 10:04 began refuelling from RFA Appleleaf for at-sea replenishment exercise. Took on 100 tons of fuel oil and transferred some fresh veg aboard. HMS Largs also underwent refuelling exercise as did HMS Janus who badly needed fuel. Crew began chipping and painting and deck swabbing to improve the looks of the ship before returning home!

28 August
Normal routine. Sailing with Leander and Largs. Standby diesel generator failed testing.

29 August
Weather worsened overnight. State 4-5. Planned torpedo crews practice abandoned. Water leaks caused a few electrical problems. Standby diesel generator still unserviceable.

30 August
Arrived at Portsmouth and docked at 11:40. Practice ammunition rounds removed ashore and fuel tanks topped off for voyage to home port. Completed 17:50. Anchored overnight. Cinema in starboard hangar showed films tonight. Standby generator fixed. Rear Admiral Vian and his staff leave the ship at 17:05.

1 September
Left harbour at 09:45. Heading east into English Channel. Normal watch, usual cleaning duties.

2 September
Normal routine. Chip fryer in the galley broken again, head cook not happy and threw the offending article overboard. Much gloom in the lower decks without chips for tea. Signalman P. Barnes arrested for fighting below decks at 20:15.

3 September
Entered Rosyth at 15:10 and awaited to be docked. Came alongside at 17:35 and then followed usual exchanges of food and stores. Chief engineer submitted defects list  84 defects listed.

4 September
New fryer bought aboard. Invitations for post-exercise officers party in the wardroom sent around squadron. Dockyard engineering teams aboard. Starboard watch sent on three days leave.

The ship's photographer developed his rolls of film of the exercises. Some are included below.

Having noted both the MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) of the electric chip fryers presently used by the Royal Navy and the deleterious effect this has on morale of the common sailor, the firm of Fissler KG is happy to provide their Lordships at the Admiralty with copies of its latest catalog of electric catering and cooking equipment.



It's nice to follow a ship through its normal paces.

Indeed. As I've said before, I like this little idea, and may steal it for myself...

Thanks Bruce and Brock. Those fryer brochures might be very welcome!


5 September
Lieutenant Addision fell down a ladder and broke his right leg while on an inspection. He was taken the base hospital for x-ray and plastering. He is now on sick leave.

6 September
Belowdecks cleaned up and new hammocks issued. Fairey Seafox (K3487) craned onto the quayside for transportation to have an engine change following serious oil leak during engine tests yesterday.

7 September
Starboard watch returned from leave. Stoker Jimmy Barnes and Telegraphist Sidney Jones have both got married during their leave. Petty Officer Gerald Duke has got engaged.

8 September
During Captains rounds today a hidden homing pigeon was found aboard. Seaman Shorty Long confessed to owning the bird and planning to set her free on the next sea trip. Punishment was one days pay stopped. Post-exercise officers party in the wardroom this evening. Officers from all cruisers in the squadron and Rear Admiral P.L. Vian plus wives attended. Went very well with dancing on the quarterdeck, the ships band playing several music hall hits.

9 September
Port watch sent ashore for three days leave. A shortage of tinned Herrings in tomato sauce in the NAFFI has affected morale.

10 September
A supply of tinned Herrings in tomato sauce has arrived in the NAFFI overnight. Sub-Lieutenant Graysons wife Mabel has had a baby boy. Shore maintenance parties have begun work on rectifying the defect list.

11 September
HMS Leviathan has reported a quantity of tinned Herrings in tomato sauce has gone missing. The Captain has appointed Lieutenant Fuller to investigate these goings on. The Chief Engineer and most of his men have spent most of the day replacing a set of condenser valves. Work has started on repairs to the mainmast.

12 September
Lieutenant Fuller spent nearly all day interviewing the starboard watch and the NAFFI staff without result. Fairey Seafox (K4304) craned outboard and back onboard several times during the afternoon for deck handling practice.

13 September
Port watch returned from leave, one sailor is AWOL. No marriages or proposals were recorded but a few of the men were sporting black eyes. Lieutenant Fuller immediately began interviewing the Port Watch about the Herring theft. Seaman Barnes put forward the ships cat as a suspect.

14 September
Maintenance parties hard at work, some touch up paining carried out. A new HF radio set has been installed in the radio room. Complaints about the rock cakes received today; like chewing on Gibraltar, you could sink the Hood with these.

15 September
A team of surveyors came aboard to plan for a future refit the ship will receive within the next year. Still no breakthrough in the Herring case. Captains boat launched for boat crew practice.

16 September
Left harbour at 11:40, course set for Scarborough for public open day. Mock gunnery drills in B turret this afternoon. Arrived at Scarborough and docked at 21:10.

17 September
Ship dressed in rig and ships crew given inspection by Captain in best uniform. From 10:30 public allowed access to the quarterdeck and areas of rear superstructure for guided talks. The local Sea Scouts came aboard and the Mayor and his wife had lunch in the Officers Mess. In the afternoon the boat crews raced one of our whalers against a local fishermans team and lost! A very satisfying day for the crew. Crew given three hours ashore this evening.

18 September
Ship left harbour at 10:20 and set a course to the south-east heading for Grimsby. At 11:47 a radio distress call from shore alerted us to a fishing vessel taking on water. Course altered and full lookouts alerted. Captain decided not to launch Seafox. Fishing vessel sighted at 12:57 listing heavily to port. We came alongside and used the ships boats to ferry all the crew to safety. Returned to Scarborough and put fishermen ashore at 15:20. Resumed voyage to Grimsby and arrived at Grimsby harbour at 20:36.

19 September
Ship dressed in rig and ships crew given inspection by Captain in best uniform. From 10:30 public allowed access to the quarterdeck and areas of rear superstructure for guided talks. The local Sea Scouts came aboard. In the afternoon the boat crews raced one of our whalers against a local fishermans team and won! Another satisfying day for the crew. Crew given two hours ashore this evening.

20 September
Left Grimsby harbour at 11:05. Rendezvous with HMS Foresight and HMS Foxhound from 22nd Destroyer Flotilla at Harwich at 13:40 for joint exercises. AA gunnery drill on all 3.7in mounts during the afternoon. Exercises terminated at 17:00. Course set for home. Anchored off Rosyth for the night at 23:40.

21 September
Docked at quayside at 11:40. Normal routine, cleaning ship. Captain and several officers left ship at 14:00 to report for Fleet meeting.

22 September
Fairey Seafox (K3487) received back and craned aboard. The Captain decided to drop the Herring Case because no leads were forthcoming and two-thirds of the evidence is now consumed.

23 September
Stocks of fresh food brought aboard. Shore maintenance parties aboard most of the day. Fuel bunkers topped off and Chief Engineer has completed engineering inspection.

24 September
Practice ammunition brought aboard. Rear Admiral Vian and his staff came aboard at 14:30. Film shown tonight, the latest George Formby caper.

25 September
Ship left harbour at 10:00 with HMS Leonidas and Latona. The ship is to participate in Home Fleet manoeuvres and gunnery exercises. Casualty evacuation drills held between 13:00 and 15:00.

26 September
AA gunnery exercises. Ship attacked by Fairey Barracudas of 832 and 811 Sqns with Fairey Firefly fighters in support from 806 Sqn at 09:47. Gunners claimed four Barracudas and one Firefly shot down over two hours of attacks. Turret drills held in X and Y turrets between 15:00 and 16:30. Arrived at Scapa Flow at 17:20. Admiral Vian held a briefing in the Admirals quarters this evening for all officers.


27 September
Live ammunition taken aboard this morning. Departed Scapa flow at 11:45 and proceeded to live firing ranges. Awaiting firing slot for an hour and battle damage exercise carried out aft. Simulated magazine flooding drills in X turret. At 13:05 proceeded for forty minutes of live firing. Expended 120 6in and 90 3.7in shells. Carried out dummy AA practice at 14:00. Returned to ranges for ten further minutes of full broadside practice. Live ammunition expended. Returned to Scapa and anchored at 16:40. Crew in good spirits tonight, the word is we did very well.

28 September
Left Scapa for Fleet anti-aircraft exercises at dawn. Ship attacked by Fairey Barracudas of 832 and 811 Sqns with Fairey Firefly fighters in support from 806 Sqn at 10:24. Gunners claimed three Barracudas and one Firefly shot down over two hours of attacks. Judges claimed two 500lb bombs hit ship. Damage control teams practised damage control and fire fighting and bomb-disposal. Returned to Scapa at 15:10.

29 September
Left Scapa for Fleet manoeuvres at 08:30. Employed as scouting force. At 13:05 sighted and engaged HMS Kelly, Kingfisher and Kelvin with HMS Leonidas and Latona. Opened fire at 20,000 yards and closed in, managed to split the attackers and covered Latona while she carried out a torpedo attack against Kingfisher. Judges claimed we were hit be six 6in shells knocking out S2 3.7 mount but our guns did damage against Kelly which was judged slowed to half speed. The squadron claimed Kingfisher as sunk. Returned to harbour and anchored at 19:38.

30 September
Left Scapa Flow for home at 09:50 with HMS Leonidas and Latona. Admiral Vian congratulated the crew for their hard work and good results. Arrived at in the Firth of Forth at 18:50 and anchored for the night.