Welcome to the Coxswain's Grot - Issue 54.
Greetings one and all and welcome to our next edition of the Grot, enjoy
Straight into it this morning:
ALL ROUND LOOK
Submarine News
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| SIA Committee Member receives Special Mention at WIDA2019 |
| Submarine Institute of Australia - 14 July 2019 |
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| Members of the SIA gathered in Canberra last week to celebrate the achievements of SIA Committee member Errika Meades who received Special Mention (very close Runner-Up) for her performance in Project Management for the Navy. Well done Errika! |
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| SIA Releases Program for SubSTEC5 |
| Submarine Institute of Australia - 14 July 2019 |
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| 42 technical papers have been incorporated into the program for SubSTEC5, to be held in Fremantle, WA 18-21 November 2019. Featuring presentations by Curtin University into digitilisation of the stunning images of AE2 and by Ron Allum, of Deepsea Challenger fame, the program should be a cracker. |
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| Russia Offers India Joint Development of New Diesel-Electric Attack Submarine |
| Indian Strategic Studies - 14 July 2019 |
| By Franz-Stefan Gady Source Link Russia is offering India to jointly develop a new diesel-electric attack submarine (SSK) class based on... |
| are equipped with an advanced sonar and the automated combat control system Litiy. The submarine can accommodate six torpedo tubes and [ |
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| PM comfortable how subs will be powered |
| The Courier-Mail (Licensed by Copyright Agency) - 13 July 2019 |
| Scott Morrison is comfortable with the advice his government has received on how Australia's future submarine fleet... |
| the advice his government has received on how Australia's future submarine fleet will be powered after a former government adviser warned |
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| Video: French Navy’s New Generation SSN ‘Suffren’ Launched by Naval Group |
| Naval News - 13 July 2019 |
| Today in Cherbourg, Naval Group launched the Suffren, during a ceremony attended by French President Emmanuel Macron. Suffren is the first... |
| cameras, which have replaced the traditional periscope. Combat system: SYCOPS As the submarine’s nerve centre, it concentrates all the |
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| Australian uranium exporters winners as Trump dumps quota plan |
| Financial Review (Licensed by Copyright Agency) - 12 July 2019 |
| Australia’s uranium export industry has dodged a bullet with Donald Trump set to reject calls for a "buy America"... |
| too dependent on adversaries for the fuel used in power stations and nuclear submarines. A submission by the Australian government to the |
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| Royal Navy parachutists draw in Helensburgh crowd |
| Helensburgh Advertiser - 12 July 2019 |
| See photos images Skip to next photo 1/1 Show caption 1/1 SPECTATORS lined the Helensburgh seafront on Monday to watch the Royal... |
| based at the Submarine Escape Training Tank in Gosport, though they often work in conjunction with the NATO Submarine Rescue System, |
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| Macron unveils $10 billion nuclear-powered submarine |
| Herald Sun (Licensed by Copyright Agency) - 12 July 2019 |
| French President Emmanuel Macron inugurated France's latest 'Barracuda' class submarine on Friday. |
| Macron unveils $10 billion nuclear-powered submarine |
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| The Russian Nuclear Submarine Accident |
| The Epoch Times - 11 July 2019 |
| Are nuclear submarines safe or a global threat? |
| submarine failures, (2) the sharing of best practices in submarine safety, (3) multilateral efforts to reclaim lost nuclear submarines, and |
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| Nuclear weapons muddies a real debate on defence |
| MacroBusiness - 11 July 2019 |
| by Chris Becker The recent public comments by Hugh White, that Australia should “dramatically increase military spending” due to the... |
| efforts to replace its ageing submarine fleet – the idea is fanciful given our current stance on nuclear energy. Nuclear power reactors, |
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| Mysterious mission of doomed Russian nuclear submarine |
| News.com.au (Licensed by Copyright Agency) - 10 July 2019 |
| A strange detail noticed at the funeral of the 14 people killed in Russia’s latest submarine disaster has raised... |
| been kept out of the public limelight. It is smaller than most nuclear-powered submarines, at just 60m long, carrying a crew of only 25. |
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| Naval Group to locally manufacture sub defence system |
| Aumanufacturing - 22 July 2019 |
| French submarine builder Naval Group has flagged big ambitions for its CANTO anti-torpedo vessel protection decoy, announcing it will... |
| of false targets that confuse an attacking torpedo, will likely be fitted to the Attack class submarines the company is building for the |
| How to Defend Australia? |
| DEFENSE.info - 21 July 2019 |
| Editor’s Note: In our work with the Williams Foundation, the evolution of Australian thinking about the evolution of a fifth generation... |
| South Pacific. The showcase item would be 24 new submarines more like an evolved Collins class than the Attack class now being designed by |
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| Defence ordered to hand over documents on $50bn submarine deal with French |
| Australia News - The Guardian - 19 July 2019 |
| Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick accuses department of ‘unlawful conduct’ for wrongly withholding sensitive material |
| documents about Australia’s $50bn submarine deal with a French multinational. The government’s massive future submarines project has been |
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| Nuclear weapons? Australia has no way to build them, even if we wanted to |
| Energy Source Distribution - 19 July 2019 |
| Public support may be shifting in favour of nuclear energy in Australia, but there remains significant opposition to nuclear weapons. Sean... |
| efforts to replace its ageing submarine fleet – the idea is fanciful given our current stance on nuclear energy. Nuclear power reactors, |
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| PHOTOS: Aus Navy sub's quick stopover in Gladstone |
| Gladstone Observer (Licensed by Copyright Agency) - 15 July 2019 |
| IT'S a hive of activity at the Port of Gladstone with navy ships and submarines making stops on the way to military... |
| with navy ships and submarines making stops on the way to military exercises off Shoalwater Bay. Collins-class submarine HMAS Farncomb was |
And now for something completely different..
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A Public Service announcement for all our members in WA
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So this is how Mermaids were made!
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In order to enhance your general knowledge, we are now including information on the world around us. This week we look at the Mantis Shrimp
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IN DEPTH
DEATH OF THRESHER by Norman POLMAR
From the magazine “The Navy” May 1963.
The sound of a ship breaking up – like compartments collapsing!
That was the description of USS Thresher’s last moments given by one of the last men to communicate with the nuclear-powered attack submarine before she plunged to
the bottom of the Atlantic with 129 men on board.
The loss of the nuclear submarine is the worst disaster in history (up to 1963, Smudge). The depth of water in which she sank – 8,400 feet (2,560.3 metres) – precluded any chance of rescue.
Thresher went to sea for the last time on the morning of 9 April 1963 for trials after nine months in the Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Naval Shipyard. In the fleet less than two years, Thresher had gone into the yard for overhaul, modifications and installation of new electronic gear.
In company with the rescue vessel USS Skylark, Thresher conducted routine operations and shallow dives on 9 April and that night headed out into the deep Atlantic to conduct a dive to her test depth. Officially the US Navy will say only that nuclear submarines can dive in excess of 400 feet (121.9 metres); it is believed the ‘Threshers’ can go to some three times that depth.
At 0747 on 10 April Thresher reported to Skylark by underwater telephone that she was beginning her deep test dive. On board the nuclear submarine were 17 officers, 95 enlisted men and 17 civilian engineers and technicians. Thresher was to check with Skylark by telephone every 15 minutes. Five minutes later Thresher reported being at 400 feet and checking for leaks. At 0754 she reported that future references to depth would be made in terms of planned test depth.
At 0809 Thresher reported she was at half test depth; at 0835 ‘minus 300 feet (91.4 metres).’ Eighteen minutes later a message said the submarine was proceeding to test depth. At 0902 Thresher asked for a repetition of a course reading. Skylark had good communications with Thresher at the time. Ten minutes later the two vessels made a routine check.
Then ‘about a minute later,’ according to a Skylark officer, Thresher reported: ‘Have position up angle. Attempting to blow up’ (blow water out of the ballast tanks with high-pressure air). For ‘perhaps two or three seconds’ the officer could hear the sounds of air under pressure. At 0914 Skylark told Thresher she had no contact. The submarine was asked to give her course and bearing to Skylark. There was no reply.
Skylark’s commanding officer then took the microphone and repeatedly asked ‘Are you in control?’ The silence continued until 0917 when Skylark heard a garbled message that reportedly ended with the distinct words ‘test depth.’ It was the last message from Thresher.
After that sounds of the submarine breaking up were heard over the underwater telephone. At 1058 Skylark began dropping grenades into the water as a signal to Thresher to answer the telephone. This was done after fruitless efforts to catch any more sounds from the submarine. 
Thresher went down in 8,400 feet (2,560.3 metres) of water some 220 miles (136.7 km) east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. At that depth the water pressure is approximately 3,600 pounds per square inch – comparable to the weight of a full-size car being placed on a postage stamp- and strong enough to crack the submarine’s hull like an egg-shell. Salvage is impossible at such depths.
Immediately after Skylark reported what had happened the Navy began an extensive aircraft-ship-submarine search for Thresher in the hope that she had been able to surface and had had a communication failure. The same day the Navy notified the families of Thresher’s crew that the submarine was overdue and presumed missing. By night there was little doubt that Thresher was lost.
Hope for the lost submarine flickered briefly when the A-sub USS Seawolf reported she heard tapping noises in the area where Thresher went down. The navy quickly announced the noises were ‘not compatible’ with any equipment carried in Thresher. And, ‘there is no cause for optimism nor for the assumption that these sounds emanated from Thresher. There is no reason for hope because of the depth of the water in which the disaster occurred.’
Reports came in from the flotilla of ships and aircraft in the disaster area that oil slicks had been sighted along with debris such as gloves and plastic that indicated the submarine had broken up. Tests were made on the debris and surrounding water for radioactivity, but none was found. The oceanographic research ship Atlantis II obtained samples of the ocean bottom in the vicinity and reported no radioactivity.
In Washington, Vice Admiral Hyman G. Rickover USN, head of the Navy’s nuclear propulsion programme, stated: ‘There is no radioactive hazard as a result of this unfortunate accident. Reactors of this type used in Thresher, as well as in all our nuclear submarines and surface ships, can remain submerged indefinitely in sea water without creating any hazard.
Three days after Thresher was lost, retired Soviet Admiral of the Fleet Ivan S. Isakov asserted: ‘The sinking of the newly charged atomic reactor is sure to contaminate the Atlantic waters, all the more so since the tragedy took place in the Northern current of the Gulf Stream.’ Some Washington observers believe the Soviet admiral’s statement indicated the Russians had had contamination troubles with their own nuclear submarine experiments.
 Admiral George Whelan Anderson Jr USN posing next to a globe circa 1962
The United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Naval nuclear experts have continually down-graded the dangers from shipboard reactors at sea and the oceans have been suggested as the ideal burying ground if there is the need to deliberately dispose of a nuclear reactor. Although this has not been done, early in 1959 the AEC and the Navy did dump the container for the land-based reactor for the submarine Seawolf in a watery grave 150 miles (93.2 km) off the Atlantic coast.
Although there is no question of salvaging Thresher, the United States Navy has already transported the deep-diving bathyscaphe Trieste from the West Coast to Boston in a landing ship. When the remains of Thresher are pin-pointed Trieste will be sent down to look them over in the hopes of finding some clue to the cause of the disaster. Trieste can withstand any known ocean pressure, and has dived to 35,800 feet (11,745.4 meters) in the Pacific. Once she is over Thresher, Trieste will be able to view her visually, take photographs and possibly ‘poke’ the submarine with remote-control pick-up arm. The bathyscaphe can hold three men.
Thresher was the prototype for two attack nuclear submarines which recently joined the fleet, and for 22 more in various stages of construction. She was 278 ½ feet (91.4 metres) long and had a surface displacement of 3,526 tons. The design features a bow-mounted sonar; four amidships torpedo tubes and single screw turbine propulsion. During her sea trials Thresher’s dive was deeper than any submarine had previously been. She was commissioned on 3 August 1961. As with most prototype submarines, some ‘bugs’ were encountered with her. It was noted that ‘problems in welding and forming of heavy structure members in the development of piping systems and hull fittings for deep submergence have been encountered and successfully solved.’
Thresher operated in the Atlantic without incident until 5 June 1962 when the submarine was in a collision with a tug and suffered a three-foot gash in her hull. Three weeks of yard repairs followed. Last July (1962), she went into Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Naval Shipyard for an overhaul and installation of new electronic equipment. The latter work made it necessary to cut some holes through the submarine’s hull. The hull was resealed by welding and was then carefully examined by X-ray to insure there were no flaws in its strength.
The Chief of Naval Operations Admiral George Whelan Anderson Jr USN has stated that other submarines of the ‘Thresher’ class will be temporarily restricted from going to their maximum depth, but no other changes in submarine operations are planned. Stated by the author, the United States Navy now has 28 nuclear-powered submarines in service – 16 attack type, 11 with Polaris missiles and one armed with guided missiles. Another 52 nuclear submarines are under construction in American yards.
Smudge’s notes.
USS Thresher was built at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Maine USA. The boat was commissioned on 3 August 1961 with a crew of 16 officers and 96 men, although the number on board varies in several lists and I take the extra listed all up 129 as visitors or trainees on the boat. The boat’s shield in Latin was “Vis Tacita” which means “silent strength”. The commanding officer at the time of the loss of the boat was LtCdr John Wesley Harvey USN.
Lieutenant John Wesley Harvey USN.
And a good one from Sandy Freeleagus
Hi Greg
A story the lads might be interested in.
In the Second World War, the Japanese submarine I-33 had the dubious honour of being sunk three times - each time by accident.
I-33 was completed at Mitsubishi Shipbuilding's Kobe Yard on the 10 June 1942. It was commissioned into the IJN and based in the Kure Naval District, assigned to Submarine Division 15 of Rear Admiral Yamazaki Shigeaki's Submarine Squadron 1.
She returned from its first patrol to their Japanese bastion of Truk on the 25 September 1942 whereupon half the crew were granted leave.
Moored alongside the Sixth Fleet Tender/Repair Ship Urakami, the remaining on board crew and three engineers from the Tender started repairs on I-33 's lowest port torpedo tube No.6. The navigator was the senior officer on board and gave permission to open the drain cocks of the after main tanks. This compromised the partially flooded submarine's buoyancy drastically and a sudden wave surge flooded through the torpedo loading hatch. I-33 sank in just two minutes in 33 metres of water.
Despite being alongside a Tender/Repair Ship, rescue efforts were inexplicably poorly handled, resulting in the deaths of 33 men.
Rear Admiral Ugaki Matome appointed Rear Admiral Takayangi Gihachi to investigate the accident while I-33 was salvaged.
On the 19 December 1942 with all openings sealed off was pressurised and her bow slowly broke the surface. Only three minutes later, the internal over-pressure blew off a weakened hatch - and once again I-33 sank to the bottom of Truk lagoon. Ten days later, I-33 was finally and successfully brought to the surface. On the 02 March 1943, I-33 left Truk for Kure under tow from Nippon Maru and a light escort, arriving Kure on the 18 March 1943. Once in Kure,
I-33 underwent extensive repair.
On 01 April 1043, Lieutenant-Commander Wada Mutsuo was appointed Commanding Officer and was allocated to the Submarine Squadron 11 of the IJN's Sixth Fleet. It was time for work-ups and trials in Japan's Inland Sea.
At 0700, I-33 departed Kure for a series of practice rapid dives, the first of which was successfully completed. Around 0840 Wada ordered a second crash dive that morning, but this time the starb'd. main induction valve failed to close, flooding all section aft of the Control room. All main ballast was blown only to have the bow break surface momentarily at 0850 for I-33 to sink to the bottom in 55 metres of water.
Ten officers and men were isolated in the Control Room while a further 13 were trapped in the Fore Ends. As the flooding increased, Wada ordered everyone to exit the submarine through the conning tower escape hatch. He elected to stay on board.
Eight crew members reached the surface, but soon drifted apart. Only Ensign Konishi Yoshiaki, the Communications/Gunnery Officer and Seaman First Class Okada Keiichi survived to raise the alarm in a small fishing village. Subsequent investigations showed that those crew trapped in the Fore Ends tried to escape through the for'rd escape hatch, but it was jammed. All but one died of asphyxiation. The remaining crew member there, committed suicide.
Once the alarm was raised, aircraft found a widening patch of oil and guided the rescue ship to I-33's location. Divers found the wreck on the 15 June 1943 along with two bodies trapped in the bridge enclosure.
It was found that a small piece of wood, left over from the refit, was moved by the first dive had jammed itself into the induction valve. It was only 2" in diameter. After the subsequent inquiry, all officers involved in the matter were transferred to Saipan where they all were killed in action.
The wreck of I-33 was recovered (a much needed 3654 tons of high quality metal) in June 1953 and between 23 July and 18 August 1953, I-33 was finally brought to the surface.
Now comes the spooky part:
An old mariner's tale tells of how misfortune will overtake any vessel that changes its name. This submarine was laid down as Submarine 146 and was actually launched as I-41 then changed to I-33.
Within the Japanese Navy submarine arm, it was said that the number '3' or its multiples were perceived as ominous figures. Here, I-33's designation speaks for itself; the kanji script Mitsubishi can also be read as '3'; in her first sinking I-33 came to rest in 33 metres of water; in that instance, 33 crew lost their lives; in the second sinking, there were only 3 (lucky) survivors; the bow broke surface for only 3 minutes; finally, while being dismantled, 3 former naval Technical Officers died of gas poisoning after finding 13 bodies in the Fore Ends.
The cumulative loss of life on board I-33 was 138 submariners and salvagers.
Hope you can use it.
Sandy—
A good one from JC
I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN: French submarine found 50 years after disappearance http://a.msn.com/01/en-au/AAEHyWF?ocid=se
ETERNAL PATROL
Information provided by Tony Vine:
Greg
The string below relates to CMDR Lindsay Wilson. In 1985-7 Tug played a big part in setting up the first RAN Submarine Historical Collection at Platypus, initially in the SM School and later in the Married Quarter above the Docky Coppers gate.
Could you please click this onto Pete Smith for me
Regards
Tony
Get Outlook for Android
From: Bob Mummery
Sent: Thursday, 18 July, 23:06
Subject: VALE - CMDR SDSU(W) L. G. "TUG" WILSON OAM MBE RAN RTD.
To: Bob Mummery
Tug Wilson, a commanding Commander.
From AB Writer to Commander, Tug will be well remembered as the scribe who collated and wrote up “Skilled Hands at Sea”, the story of Australian Naval Apprentices. That work was done in his own time assisted by family and friends, and much of the work had to be undertaken by deciphering hand written records from NIRIMBA’s early days. A marvellous job well done and of which he was most proud. I was fortunate enough to have him present a signed copy to me not long before he retired from the RAN.
The remarkable “Wilson” work ethic transferred to his son David who became the Warrant Officer of the Navy 1999 – 2002, and Tug was one very proud father. Two remarkable men.
Thank you Tug
Bob Mummery
From: flocky
Sent: Thursday, 18 July 2019 5:17 PM
To: flocky
Subject: FW: LATE CMDR SDSU W. L. G. "TUG" WILSON OAM MBE RAN RTD.
Good evening all,
With profound regret I pass on the advice of CMDR W.”TUG” Wilson as detailed in the Subject above.
A very well like officer and good to work with.
RIP CMDR Wilson, sail in smooth seas and gentle breezes.
Regards,
Peter F.
Afternoon Peter,
Thought you should also know early.
Please advise your circuit, as I am sure there are a lot of WA”s troops who knew and served with Tug.
Cheers
Lew
And details forwarded for Bronco Snr Funeral arrangements
Hi all, please review below correspondence from Bonnie regarding Bronco.
"Just to let you know, that Bronco’s friends and family will be raising a glass at lunch time, at the Redland Bay Hotel, on the 31st August, and after, laying his ashes to rest in the bay. I welcome anyone who would like that last drink with Bronco.
Thanks, Bonnie."
Regards...
Paul Gapes
Secretary SAA QLD Inc
An insight into the machinations of the Executive
From: Keith Hatfield
Sent: Sunday, 21 July 2019 6:51 PM
To: David John Bryant
Subject: Username and password for National site
Dave, I went on to the National site to access the Minutes from Subcon.
I used my usual password, and the ‘reset’ function – but could not get in.
Any ideas please? Boot.
Keith J. Hatfield
President SAA (Vic. Inc.)
From: David John Bryant
Date: 21 July 2019 at 11:17:37 pm AEST
To: Keith Hatfield
cc: Tim Bass (Webmaster SAA)
Keith,
The minutes (National Executive Meeting) will be forwarded directly to Branch Presidents only (They contain sensative information which is not disseminated to the members generally).
They are currently with the President for approval thence release back to me for distribution.
The Minutes of the AGM will be available on the website in due course.
I don’t know why you could not access the website – Perhaps Tim may answer that question.
But regards minutes – A bit of patience please! I realise that SUBCON concluded some six weeks ago, but on completion Sandra and I spent two weeks holidaying around Tassie, came back to Adelaide, and then had my normal routine interrupted by school holidays and grandees. No guesses what the priorities were!
Regards,
David.
AROUND THE TRAPS
50 Years since ONSLOW Commissioned on 22 December 1969. Arrived Brisbane 4 July 1970 and HMAS Platypus (Sydney) 7 July 1970.
Initial discussions with the Director of the Australian National Maritime Museum received the following response:
At this stage we are intending to do some digital stories and social media promotions leading into either December this year or possibly July 2020. Closer to the time, please let me know if you are intending to have a special gathering at the Museum of ex-crew, as we would be delighted to see how we may be able to help you out
As 22 December 1969 is right on Xmas it may not be the best date to celebrate the event and alternatively it could be the anniversary of her arrival in Sydney 7 July 2020.
Seeking response from Plank-owners and any who served on the old lady your interest in a reunion in either December or July and especially volunteers to form a committee to arrange the event. Am very hopeful from the response above that the ANMM will look after us.
Please contact me: Geoff Anderson, dogonthelap@hotmail.com, 0413980091
Good t have a long chat with Peter (Digga) Delaney (yes he is still about) and he is not cooking or in any engine rooms. I thing he tried to emulate Percy Jones but honestly Mate, you were not real flash in both areas (Dig only)
Mike Bennett pumped out this one and very interesting:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-13/australian-submarines-could-be-obsolete-in-2030s/11306226
As calls come for Australia's new submarine fleet to install lithium-ion battery propulsion, the Defence Department is warned the French-designed subs could prove outdated before they are due into service in the 2030s.
This could make the fan wobble as the slop drain and sewage hits it!
Alex Siezovic posted one of interest for our fraternity on the road trips around AUS:
Hi #6,
Just a note to all of our members that former Dr Harden RAN and was at Plats is the publican of The Farmers Hotel in Vasy, NSW
All are welcome,
Cheers
Alex
Dr Maurice Harden
Farmers Hotel
Bar & Bistro
792 Gresford Road Vacy
NSW Australia
Hotel & Bistro: 02 49 388 106
Courtesy Bus: 0491 388 106
Email: maurice@farmershotel.com.au
Farmers Hotel Facebook
Farmers Hotel Homepage
And another one from Mike:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-16/loyalty-taxes-3.6-billion-consumers-pay/11312452
On average, customers renewing their insurance policy now pay 34 per cent more than new customers. But there's something we can do about it, writes Allan Fels.
And another one:
Jiggs McDonald, NHL Hall of Fame broadcaster, speaking in Ontario, said: "I am truly perplexed that so many of my friends are against another mosque being built in Toronto. I think it should be the goal of every Canadian to be tolerant regardless of religious beliefs. Thus the mosque should be allowed and thus to promote tolerance.”
"That is why I also propose that two nightclubs be opened next door to the mosque; thereby promoting tolerance from within the mosque. We would call one of the clubs, which could be gay, The Turban Cowboy, and the other, a topless bar, could be called "You Mecca Me Hot.”
"Next door should be a butcher shop that specialises in pork, and adjacent to that an open-pit barbecue pork restaurant, called Iraq of Ribs."
"Across the street could be a lingerie store called Victoria Keeps Nothing Secret, with sexy mannequins in the window modeling goods, and on the other side a liquor store Morehammered.”
"All of this would encourage Muslims to demonstrate the tolerance they demand from us.”
Yes we should all promote tolerance, and you can do your part by passing this on. And if you are not laughing or smiling at this point, it is either past your bedtime, or it's midnight at the oasis and time to put your camel to bed.
This one from Jeff Stein:
Subject: Fwd: : The Navy Job Interview
Years ago, a young Navy pilot was injured while ejecting from his Douglas A-4 Skyhawk because of engine failure during a catapult shot from the carrier. Due to the heroics of rescue helicopter crew and the ship's hospital staff, the only permanent injury was the loss of one ear. He remained on flight status and eventually became an Admiral.
However, during his career he was always sensitive about his appearance. One day, the Admiral was interviewing two Navy Master Chiefs and a Marine Sergeant Major for his personal staff. The first Master Chief was a surface Navy type, and it was a great interview. At the end of the interview, the Admiral asked
him, "Do you notice anything different about me?"
The Master Chief answered, "Why, yes, Admiral. I couldn't help but notice that you are missing your starboard ear, so I don't know whether this impacts your hearing on that side." The Admiral got very angry at this lack of tact and threw him out of his office.
The next candidate, an Aviation Master Chief, when asked this same question, answered, "Well, yes, Sir, you seem to be short one ear." The Admiral threw him out as well.
The third interview was with the Marine Sergeant Major. He was articulate, extremely sharp, and seemed to know more than the two Navy Master Chiefs put together. The Admiral wanted this guy, but went ahead with the same question. "Do you notice anything different about me?" To his surprise, the Sergeant Major said, "Yes, Sir. You wear contact lenses."
The Admiral, impressed, thought to himself, "What an incredibly tactful Marine. And how would you know that?" the Admiral asked. The Sergeant Major replied, "Well, Sir, it's pretty hard to wear glasses with only one fucking ear."
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Modern Times?
And PC too!
Mike
Seriously though, my Wife was doing her PC thing and came across this link on Collins:
https://g.co/kgs/otLUz4
The other day I needed to go to the public hospital but not wanting to sit there for 4 hours, I put on my blue jacket and pinned on a plastic ID card that I had made off the Internet onto the front of my jacket...
When I went into the hospital, I noticed that 3 quarters of the people got up and left. I guess they decided that they weren't that sick after all. Cut at least 3 hours off my waiting time.
Here's the patch. Feel free to use it the next time you're in need of quicker emergency service:
It also works at Centrelink. It saved me 2 hours.
Don't try it at McDonald's though.....
The whole staff disappeared and I never got my order!! |
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Good one from Pricky Reid “saving submariners trapped under the sea
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Of general interest and FYI.
Not only for our ex RN Contingent, Klaxon, Semaphore, Down Under and RNA newsletters have been posted on their respective websites. Some excellent reading and very interesting.
COXSWAINS RANT
I have nothing to bitch about this fortnight.
Many thanks to all who have provided stories for the Grot and makes it a useful and informative read. Just out of interest, we have 998 registered on the distribution list fortnightly, and our National Webmaster Tim Bass who I work closely with did a check on how many were reading or at least opening the Grot and a pleasing result was 526 were at least looking. If you have something of interest Submarine related for God’s sake let me hear from you so I can post.
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Shut and Clipped for this week
Yours Aye
Greg Jones #6
coxswain@submarinesaustralia.com
0432 559 283
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