Visit To HMS/m Dreadnought at Babcocks Rosyth Dockyard.

After negotiating with the MOD in London & DES NBCC in Bristol (who are now responsible for Dreadnought) and Babcock in Rosyth we have been granted permission to visit the boat after she finishes her maintenance docking. At this early stage we have no idea if the numbers will be limited, if  numbers are it will be on a first come basis.  The date suggested by the MOD Bristol is June 2012, they have said they will be able to give us further information early in 2012.  This visit, which is probably better as a male only visit, although we have no objection to members bringing their wives/girlfriends along if they wish.  As you will realise for many of us getting down and going through the boat will not be quite as easy as it was 50+ or so years ago. This is not a reunion, which will be held on April 21^st  2013 at Bosworth Hotel with a visit to the NMA on 22^nd. Details have still to be finalised with Ken Munroe who is a Director of  Babcocks, formerly as its now known,  as a “Back Aftie” on the Reso etc. When the Reso Association visited their boat they stayed at the North Queensferry  Hotel,   we have had some discussion with them about rates etc but until we get a firm date and some idea of the numbers involved we cannot finalise this either. A form has been inserted on the website, please complete this form if you would like to take part in the visit..

The full statement fro the MOD ref Women sailing in Submarines has been entered on the website in the page headed Submarine News. There is also some news on the Collins class boats in Oz and the Upholder class in Canada in the Submarine News page.

Bruce

The Rum Rats Lament

Up Spirits: Ode to a tot of rum
 
There once was a time in H.M.Ships,
When the magic hour had come.
The leading hands of every mess
Prepared to collect the rum.
 
The smell of Jamaican filled the air
As the ritual began
A daily tot of Nelson’s Blood
Was a favourite to every man.
 
When the Rum Bosun stood, his measure poised
To serve every man his tot.
Two fingers always in the ‘cup ‘
Making sure that the ‘Queen ‘got her lot.’
 
The ‘ticker off’ was there, of course
His pencil at the ready,
With a sipper given from each man’s tot
His hand was no longer steady.
 
The rum rat sat, his eyes aglow
His whiskers twitching well
He liked his rum so much it seems
He could get pissed on the smell.
 
Sometimes the tots were passed around
As each man paid his debts
Favour, rubber, game of crib
Could cost a couple of wets.
 
Then came the time to sup the ‘Queens’
“God Bless Her “was the toast
A watchful eye, as each man supped.
So the Rum Bosun got the most.
 
Once the rum had been consumed
And nothing left to pour;
The dits began, as the ‘Grog’ took charge,
Of favourite runs ashore.
 
A feed, a fight, a couple of pints
Was part of a run ashore.
A game of darts was in there too
Then all night with a Pompey Lill.
 
No longer though, does the scent of rum
Pervade her Majesty’s boats.
No more to sup Lord Nelson’s Blood
And give the Queen her toasts.
 
So to all who drank Lord Nelson’s Blood
And heard the Klaxon’s blast
May old shipmates meet and share a wet
Spinning dits of the good times passed.
 
A toast then to Horatio
And another to the Queen.
And may we all, wherever we are
Remember where we’ve been!