Welcome to the Coxswain's Grot - Issue 50.
Welcome Fellow Submariners near and far and enjoy an informative read.
Our national election is done and dusted and although we all have our own opinions of who should be in Government our own Jeff Stein summed it up perfectly:
To those who have expressed their opinions through the Grot, I do not want to ruffle any feathers (maybe a few) and suggest the Facebook medium be utilised. Happy to post amusing and relevant banter but not some of the ones posted this week. I guess the reality is such and all our years in the Navy and constant changing of parties that we followed the protocols put in place by the incumbent Power in the seat. Guess that this is how for time immemorial.
I used to think I was just a regular person, but I was born white, which now, whether I like it or not, makes me a racist.
I am a fiscal and moral conservative, which by today's standards, makes me a fascist.
I am heterosexual, which now makes me a homophobe.
I am mostly non-union, which makes me a traitor to the working class and an ally of big business.
I was christened by my parents, which now labels me as an infidel.
I am retired, which makes me useless.
I think and I reason, therefore I doubt much that the main stream media tells me, which must make me a reactionary.
I am proud of my heritage, which makes me a xenophobe.
I value my safety and that of my family and I appreciate the police and the legal system, which makes me a right-wing extremist.
I believe in hard work, fair play, and fair compensation according to each individual's merits, which today makes me an anti-socialist.
I (and most of the folks I know), acquired a fair education without student loan debts and little or no debt, which makes me some kind of an odd underachiever.
I believe in the defence and protection of my country and I honour those who served in the Armed Forces, which now makes me a right wing-militant.
Please help me come to terms with the new me... because I'm just not sure who the hell I am anymore! Funny ...it’s all just taken place over the last 10 to 15 years!
As if all this nonsense wasn’t enough to deal with ... now I’m not even sure which toilet to go into!
ALL ROUND LOOK
Another good one and very informative and many thanks to the Institute and Meltwater USA for the weekly updates:
These articles have been selected as potentially being of interest to subscribers of the Submarine Institute of Australia newsletter 'All Round Look' and, apart from any releases authored by the SIA, no new content is created in this newsletter.
Through its contract with Meltwater, the SIA is licensed and has paid for the copyright access to distribute the articles. |
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| Submarine News |
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| For subs’ builder, the task ahead is historic |
| The Australian (Licensed by Copyright Agency) - 25 May 2019 |
| To John Davis, heading Naval Group Australia and its Future Submarine construction program is a career dream... |
| the design for a conventional submarine, and his appointment last July as chief executive and Future Submarine program director of Naval |
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| Drone subs may alter the rules |
| The Australian (Licensed by Copyright Agency) - 25 May 2019 |
| One of the most important Australian defence projects ever — the local construction of 12 Attack-class future... |
| . Current estimates for the Attack-class Future Submarine in terms of unit cost is about $4 billion per submarine, with $50bn budgeted over |
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| Progress beneath surface for the $50bn submarines |
| The Australian (Licensed by Copyright Agency) - 25 May 2019 |
| Although the overall build schedule has yet to be finalised, the first of 12 Attack-class submarines will be... |
| submarines in Australia after delivering the last of the Collins class in 2003.” Meanwhile program momentum continues to build. A submarine |
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| DEVRON 5 Holds Change of Command |
| DVIDS - 24 May 2019 |
| KEYPORT, Wash. - Commander, Submarine Development Squadron 5 (DEVRON 5), held a change of command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Warfare... |
| 5 is charged with multiple submarine warfare mission areas to include submarine rescue operations and the activities of its three Seawolf- |
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| World first submarine experience launched on Great Barrier Reef |
| Tourism and Events Queensland - 23 May 2019 |
| 23 May 2019 The world’s first rideshare submarine has today been launched in a landmark partnership between Tourism and Events Queensland... |
| for TEQ in late 2018 showed us that submarine travel was at the top of travellers wish-lists as a future experience on the reef. “scUber |
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| The last secret of the Scorpion |
| Navy Times - 23 May 2019 |
| Radioman 2nd Class Mike Hannon walked to work with a palpable sense of unease on the morning of May 23, 1968. As a communications... |
| the Scorpion was missing. While the submarine was nearing the end of its Mediterranean deployment, Sonar Technician 1st Class Bill Elrod, a |
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| Maritime Museum searches for lost shipwrecks and last mysteries of deep |
| Mirage News - 22 May 2019 |
| Maritime Museum searches for lost shipwrecks and last mysteries of the deep This week marks National Archaeology Week and the Australian... |
| in the late 1830s. · Discovery and documentation of Australia’s first submarine, HMAS AE1. · Involved in ongoing collaborative shipwreck |
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| International Possible America-Iran War and India |
| DailyHunt English - 21 May 2019 |
| The United States is in the midst of an extremely dangerous standoff with Iran. In May 2018, President Donald Trump withdrew America from... |
| a wide variety of assets it has at its disposal, including submarines, smart torpedoes, smart mine capability, free-floating and dumb mines |
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| 3 more years and a next-generation Defence wish list |
| Defence Connect - 20 May 2019 |
| With the Coalition returned and cabinet position announcements imminent – building on the success of the preceding six years in the Defence... |
| the Strategic Partnership Agreement for the $50 billion SEA 1000 Attack Class future submarine program; and Committing to the acquisition |
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| And the winner is: Coalition returned and what it means for defence |
| Defence Connect - 19 May 2019 |
| Following a tight race the Coalition has been returned to power – seeking to build on momentum established in the Defence portfolio, here’s... |
| -35A Joint Strike Fighters; and The $50 billion SEA 1000 Attack Class future submarine program. The government has confirmed over the next |
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| Deepest submarine dive in history recorded |
| Infomarine.net - 18 May 2019 |
| The Five Deeps Expedition has successfully dived to the bottom of one of the world’s five oceans. The team completed a mission to reach the... |
| diving, currently operational submarine. The team measured and mapped the operating area with a Kongsberg EM124 sonar to pinpoint the |
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| Israel: An 'Underwater' Nuclear Power (Thanks to German Submarines) |
| The National Interest - 15 May 2019 |
| The 2,400 ton Dolphin 2 model is based on the state-of-the-art Type 212 submarine, which features Air-Independent Propulsion technology and... |
| deterrence patrols. Currently, the Chinese AIP-powered Type 32 Qing-class is the only AIP-powered submarine in service armed with ballistic |
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| A Most Significant Project: Why 75(I) Submarines May Matter Immensely |
| Indian Defence News - 14 May 2019 |
| by Rear Admiral Sudarshan Y Shrikhande (Retd) The 75(I) indigenous submarine programme at a cost of around Rs. 40-50,000 crore, promises... |
| , weapon payload (including mines and even longer-range torpedoes), thinking of submarines as primarily sea denial instruments are actually |
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| Brazil’s second Scorpene sub Humaitá starts move to launch site |
| Naval Today - 14 May 2019 |
| The first section of a new submarine for the Brazilian Navy has been transferred from the pre-outfitting site UFEM (Unidade de Fabricação... |
| sections are joined together. Future BNS Humaitá (S 41) will be the second of four modified Scorpene submarines built for the Brazilian |
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| Navy recapitalisation and is the Navy big enough? |
| Defence Connect - 14 May 2019 |
| As a maritime nation Australia is dependent on unlimited access to the ocean – as the regional paradigm changes, placing greater strain on... |
| time frame and the viability of the $50 billion SEA 1000 Attack Class future submarine program. The 12 Attack Class are expected to deliver |
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AROUND THE TRAPS
Greg, AE1 FINAL REPORT
Popped up on Facebook. In case you don't have it.
https://www.sea.museum/about/media/media-releases/media/2018/09/13/05/12/ae1-survey-report?fbclid=IwAR2bK5nLN3giSIn7kJWKvfZQzHPA3ZwJKuwIG7DcCcmtpLnAISKV-gv_P38
Geoff
G’Day Greg,
Get this then!
Mike
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/21/armed-forces-head-uneasy-decision-remove-aircraft-carrier-commander/?WT.mc_id=tmg_share_em
Another one from Jeff Stein
Subject: on this day in 1969
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the action that later awarded Keith the Victoria Cross. Have a read below about his valiant efforts on the battlefield.
#OnThisDay in 1969 in Kontum Province, Vietnam, Warrant Officer Keith Payne's company came under heavy attack. As the local troops fell back, Payne, wounded and under constant fire, valiantly fought to hold off the enemy. Having rallied his own men, he then set about bringing in the wounded, including an American advisor. For his actions, he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the United States Distinguished Service Cross, the United States Silver Star and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star. Payne was the last Australian to receive the Victoria Cross under the Imperial Honours system.
To read more: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C2089596
Image: Artist name: Shirley Bourne, Title of work: Warrant Officer Class II Keith Payne, Date: 1972, Accession number: ART27773
Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan: Videos | Transmission Films
https://www.dangerclosemovie.com/videos/
IN DEPTH
VICHY FRENCH SUBMARINES by Peter Smith.
In concluding the history of European Axis submarines in Asian waters, a small group of French submarines under the control of the Vichy French in Madagascar became a concern for Allied Forces Control.
When the Germans marched into Paris and took over control of France, a Fascist Government was formed at Vichy under the leadership of Marshal Philippe Heni Petain (L) with Hitler (R) on 11 July 1940.
 In an agreement on 23 July 1941 Petain permitted free access to the French military bases of Indochina. With the fall of Singapore and the Japanese making major Carrier Force incursions into the Indian Ocean, Britain’s War Cabinet became alarmed the Japanese would take over control of the island of Madagascar and its naval base at Diego Suarez.
The Mozambique Channel between Madagascar and the mainland of south-eastern Africa was a very important convoy route for ships supplying both the north and southern Africa and the Allies in India and Ceylon. The Japanese had reported to the Germans that they recognised the strategic importance of the island and how ideally positioned it was to set up naval bases for U-boats to attack shipping travelling north through the Channel and to and from South Atlantic via the Cape of Good Hope.
By early 1942, it was known that at least four Vichy French submarines were stationed at Diego Suarez, Le Heros Q170, Le Glorieux Q168, Monge Q144 and Beveziers Q179 which were of the “Redoubtable” class, a double hull ocean going submarines built between the late 1920s and completed by 1932.
Vichy submarine Le Heros.
Prior to the Japanese taking over French Indochina in 1941, the submarine Phenix Q157, a “Redoubtable” class boat was lost in Cam Ranh Bay in the deep waters off Cam Ranh on 15 June 1939 with the loss of 63 crew. The French admiralty could not inform the public how she was lost due to the lack of information. Two other submarines operated from the French Indochina, Monge which undertook two convoy trips from most likely Saigon to Madagascar, the last one, she arrived in April 1941 and left in December to meet her fate in May 1942. The second submarine, Pegase Q156 also operating out of Indochina was returning to Madagascar from her mission in July 1941 had developed major problems with her batteries and remained in Saigon. She was taken over by the Japanese and disarmed, the submarine was used for spare parts for the duration of the war. On the 9th March 1945 the boat was scuttled, however, in September 1945 she was re-floated. The boat was disposed of in 1950 never to see service again. In 1951 Pegase was beached on Bassac Sandbar in the Mekong Delta to serve as a floating navigational aid (seamark).
To alleviate the threat from the Vichy French, Britain raided the northern sector of the island with a taskforce of ships, aircraft and Marines under the command of acting VADM E.N. Syfret RN who had his flag on HMS Ramillies in an operation code-named “Ironclad.” The first assault took place on 3 May 1942 in Courrier Bay to the west of Diego Suarez. During the ensuing battle Beveziers was sunk by depth-charges in the harbour.
Submarine Ajax sister to Vichy controlled sub-marine Beveziers
In a second thrust combining a joint air and naval attack on 7 May, Le Heros was attacked and sunk by the swordfish aircraft from HMS Illustrious in the approaches to Courrier Bay. On the following day Monge was encountered by destroyer HMS Active and sunk off Orangea Peninsula.
 Submarine Monge
By the end of 7 May the important naval base and major anchorage was secured by the British.
However, 10 September 1942 Britain decided to occupy the rest of Madagascar using troops from East and South Africa and on the 23rd the capital Tananarive was captured, the rest of the island was secured from the Vichy French in early November. With Madagascar under British control, various air force bases were set up and the Allies were able to assert their control of the Channel against U-boat attacks.
In an aside to Britain taking control of Diego Suarez, this major anchorage was not as secure, as the British found out on the night of 30 May 1942 when several Japanese midget submarines attacked the Royal Navy ships, badly damaging the battle ship Ramillies and sinking the British Petroleum Tanker British Loyalty which was going astern and had backed into the second torpedo meant for Ramillies.
MT British Loyalty prior to WW2.
Author’s note. The quality of photographs of the Vichy French submarines are very poor and are not worth reprinting, the best I could find are included with this story.
The name French Indochina was formed and given to the country taken by the French as part of their eastern colonies on 17 October 1887 and lasted to 21 July 1954 when the name was reverted to Vietnam.
Russia launches seventh Improved Kilo-class submarine Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Photo: Admiralty Shipyard
Russian shipbuilder Admiralty Shipyards launched the first of a second batch of Improved Kilo-class submarines in a March 28 ceremony in St. Petersburg.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky will also be the first Project 636.3 to be built for the Vladivostok-based Pacific Fleet.
The first six units in the class were built for the Black Sea fleet.
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky was launched after officially starting construction in a keel laying ceremony in July 2017. The keel for Volkhov, the second boat from the second batch, was also laid at the time.
The lead boat is scheduled to be handed over to the Russian Navy by the end of the year.
Admiralty Shipyards said it was also in the process of constructing the third and fourth (ninth and tenth overall) submarines in the class. They will be named Magadan and UFa, it was revealed.
Improved Kilo-class submarines are armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air missiles. The vessels can accommodate a crew of 52 submariners and can stay at sea for 45 days.
They displace 4,000 tonnes when submerged and reach speeds of “over 17 knots”, according the Russian Navy. The submarines are also equipped with Kalibr-cruise missiles which are fitted on Russian nuclear-powered Oscar-class submarines.
Posted on March 28, 2019 with tags Admiralty Shipyards, Kil
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Leave it to you to comment on the band.
Geoff
My first thought was you could use them as pull throughs for the SSE’s?
DVA MATTERS
Hi 6
For next log
Below is a link to a survey for those in receipt of DFRDB.
http://www.ombudsman.gov.au/How-we-can-help/australian-defence-force/dfrdb
Regards
Ray Kemp JP
Level 3 ATDP Advocate
And another one from Ray:
Hi 6
For next Log
The RMA is doing a focus review on Cervical Srondolysis in respect to carrying weights on the shoulders and leaning against the neck. I know a lot of us have neck problems and may even have had Cervical Srondolysis rejected as an accepted condition as you didn’t meet the factor of carrying on your head (not above your head on your head). Can all everyone please put a submission into the RMA (see attached link) stating something along the lines of.
When serving on HMAS Ships and Submarines during my naval service I regularly carried weights on my shoulders leaning against my neck. The reason I did this was to descend and ascend Ladder and Stairways especially ladders. Generally the types of items carried on the head leaning against the neck were bags of vegetables, flour, and 20 litre drums.
The link to the RMA investigation is below.
http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/Reviews/2019/8361fa35b5/078-15-Notice-of-investigation-cervical-spondylosis-focussed-forces-on-neck-7-May-2019.pdf
Stream Lining
What is Stream Lining. Stream Lining is where DVA will accept certain conditions under both VEA and MRCA as long as you have diagnosis of the disease. The main difference is there are only a few under VEA however under MRCA there are 27. We hope that Sinus and Ottic Barotrauma will be added to this list in the future thanks to the work of John Polglaze.
If you have condition under MRCA and they are on the list then I suggest you lodge a claim using Myservice it is very quick and easy, however make sure before doing you discuss with an advocate.
Below are the Stream Line conditions
VEA
| Solar Keratosis |
| Acquired cataract |
| Non-melanotic malignant neoplasm |
| Malignant melanoma of the skin |
| Tina of the Skin |
MRCA
| Shin Splints |
| Achilles tendinopathy or bursitis |
| Plantar fasciitis |
| Chondromalacia patella |
| Internal Dearrangment of the knee |
| Sprains and Strains |
| Iliotibial band syndrome (runners Knee) |
| Trochanteric bursitis or gluteal tendinopathy |
| Patellar tendinopathy |
| Seborrhoeic keratosis RH only |
| Malignant neoplasm of the eye |
| Fracture |
| Benign neoplasm of the eye and adnexa the eye and adnexa RH Only |
| Acute articular cartilage tear |
| Acute meniscal tear of the knee |
| Dislocation |
| Labral tear |
| External Bruise |
| External Burn |
| Physical injury due to munitions discharge |
| Cut, stab, abrasion and laceration |
Regards
Ray Kemp JP
Level 3 ATDP Advocate
+61419829299
EASY RIDING
Hi 6
Our SSMCC recently had its AGM at Forbes NSW 17th to the 19th May 19 with 15 members attending.
It was a great catch up with members from W.A., S.A., VIC, ACT and NSW converging on the town on Friday for a meet and greet.
Our AGM was held the next day with changes to the National positions (due to time served) as follows;
President - Des Scalan replaced by Tony Dog Masters
VP - Tony Fruitbat Smith replaced by Greg Doods Doodson
Secretary - Greg no nick name Boorman replaced by Tim Biggles Bass
Treasurer - Greg Boorman replaced by Rob #7 Jones
Storeman - Greg Boorman replaced by John Smudge Smithies
This was followed by a ride and lunch to Parks telescope observatory followed by more socialising at Forbes RSL.
During the AGM, it was agreed to allow scooter and trike riders capable of maintaining the state speed regulations to become members of the Silent Service Motor Cycle Club. The club in the past only accepted motorcycles capable of maintaining the speed limits. We hope that this decision will allow those who are physically incapable of riding a motorcycles or prefer to ride a scooter or trike will join us on our rides and social gatherings remembering our time served in submarines.
As per usual a great weekend had by all.
Cheers
Doc M
SSMCC NSW PRES
 
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