RAOC Gazette - page 202
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1981 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1981 |
| Late date | 1981 |
| Transcription |
EXERCISE AMERICAN THUNDERER RHODE ISLAND NEWPORT TO NORFOLK VIRGINIA THE CREW: Brigadier Cook, Mr Peter Hart—Skipper, Lieu- tenant Argyle, Second Lieutenant Bristow, Corporal Davies and Lance Corporal Golding. After initial introductions at Bicester on the Thursday evening we left for Washington from Brize Norton on the Friday, arriving at approximately 1630 hours. Here we met Major John Ross and Captain Karl Hoe, who had done so splendidly well in the Observer trans-atlantic race and exchanged a few stones and some English cigarettes. From Washington we had a four hundred mile drive to Newport Rhode Island, a journey of some ten hours in a murderous ninety five degrees fahrenheit heat. However, after negotiating numerous tolls, hamburger bars, gas stations and the like, we arrived at New- port in the early morning of Saturday 11 th July. sail -•••^w^$P * ' i . r. <*<- : . J , \ V. ••** — Thunderer sat restfully, in Newport Marina but, after taking on stores, fuel and water, we slipped moorings and left for Block Island about twenty five miles to the south. The weather remained beautifully in the nineties and the scene was truly set for two glorious weeks. Block Island gave us a welcome and the first of many nocturnal adventures but, after forty eight hours without sleep, we gladly settled for an early morning! We left Block Island for the mainland and Clinton, Con- necticut Here again we enjoyed a fine welcome from the locals, meeting the brother of Mr Shanks—of Armitage Shanks fame (well, so he said) a meeting which left us all feeling a little flushed. Moving further south by about forty to fifty miles a day we reached New York on the Wednesday sailing up East River towards Manhattan Island. One memorable sight was that of a Canadian Contessa 32 going north which we met half way down East River—much to our mutual surprise. New York grew larger and larger as we approached, moor- ing finally at Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal. We spent two days here exploring the sprawling metropolis, trying to avoid the army of expected, potential muggers. Another feature which deserves a mention, is the New York Police Department who have the reputation of shoot first ask questions later a matter which gains healthy respect. Yet, in all fairness, we had no cause to worry and had a good time in New York. From New York we had a fine sail down to Masaquain, a fishing village thirty miles south. Although we generally managed a good five knots the wind sometimes left us struggling for two and we had to proceed under engine. The weather remained fine and in the nineties and although generally on either port or starboard tack, we made good headway. Atlantic City was another of the stops which draws you in from ten miles out—sporting a huge Playboy Casino. The city is a small Las Vegas taking millions of dollars per night at any game you wish to play. Moving on again the wind became very light and we spent much of the day under engine, making five knots. We were sailing about one mile out to sea and watched the almost deserted golden beaches for mile after mile. We could also see a storm out to sea which followed us for most of the afternoon clouding out the sun which gave Corporal Golding a chance to save some of his Hawaiian sun tan lotion. Reaching Ocean City on Sunday 19th July we decided to have another full days stop and celebrated by enjoying a meal of sword fish steaks caught, incidentally, only that day. The weather was back to its usual ninety degrees and we were back to the local brew, Buelweiser, known as ' Bud * and served ice cold. Ocean City can be best equated to a huge Bournemouth with a twelve mile beach of golden white sands and shopping arcades. We had proposed a night sail but the weather forced us to remain over night in Ocean City. Leaving eventually at The Corps Yacht Thunderer RAOC. 1000 hours on Tuesday morning, sailing all day and night, we encountered the journey's worst weather hitting several mild storms during the night but, by dawn, these had passed and we reached Norfolk at 1100 hours the following morning. Norfolk provided us with the opportunity of buying gifts, sending cards and even of using the American PX which provided excellent value in cigars etc. Spending our final night in Norfolk we enjoyed a barbecue on the quay side, thanks to Sergeant Cheshire and the skipper, and then left for a local night spot On the Friday we travelled back to Washington in a v small' Cadillac which barely had room for us all — although we managed! The flight back left Dulles Airport Washington at 1800 and reached Brize Norton 0600 hours our time. It had been a marvellous two weeks, the sailing was gorgeous, along with everything else. {We will be publishing the full story of the Corps yacht Thunderer RAOC in the Observer trans-atlantic race in a later issue of THE GAZETTE.—Editor.) SOME SIXTY YEARS ON MAJOR GENERAL SIR CAMERON D. SHUTE, commanding the Fourth Army Division, in unveiling a war memorial at Toppesfield, Essex; said the men T under him in France, when called upon to go " over the top/ did not stop to ask for an eight hour day or a rise in wages. Yet when they came home they found nothing but strikes and everybody making selfish demands. The Germans could not beat us in the field, he continued, but now that peace was restored they were capturing our trade wholesale. {From THE GAZETTE April 1920). Perhaps we should now add the Japanese. 168 |
| Book number | R0250 |