Eammon McGrath – HMS Invincible

When we were in Barrow, a transporter turned up with three and six inch cannon shells. This threw everyone until they realised that Invincible was a “through-deck cruiser”, whereas the last cruisers the fleet had was “Blake and Tiger”: these…

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Gerry Quinn – HMS Bulldog

“HMS Bulldog” undertook some of the most dangerous surveys possible due to her having to conduct towed Sonar Sweeps up and down and across the main shipping lanes of the English Channel from July 1977 to March 1978. Radio warnings…

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Andy Richards – HMS Devonshire

HMS Devonshire (Photo Courtesy NMRN) It was a long time ago but a few dits stick in my mind as much today as they did when I first heard or witnessed them. I can remember in or around 1976, I…

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Charlie Hayward – HMS Artful

Local newspaper “Aalborg Stiftstidende” report. "Wind and current this morning created problems for the English submarine “Artful” that is visiting Aalborg until Thursday. The arrival was delayed for over an hour because she was unable to berth because of the…

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Rob Forsyth – HMS Alliance

Funeral at Sea The dit that comes to mind as best illustrating the unconventional and unique spirit of submariners comes from my last day at sea. Living conditions on board were very basic so we did not wear uniform but…

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Brian Reed – HMS Repulse

HMS Repulse (Photo Courtesy: NMRN) I joined submarines in 1963 served for eight years in diesel boats and left in 1971. I re-enlisted in 1973 and entered the Polaris programme, with my first boat being HMS Resolution (S). Even though…

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