Ships and Harbours Photos

Hi Ken, you have some very interesting photos, thank you for sharing them
regards Paul

Added by Paul Mara on 13 April 2007.

Hi Paul, thankyou for your kind remarks. Did you see the photo of the drydock at Sembawang, Singapore, I was wondering if you'd been there, or if you knew anything else about it. Regards, Ken

Added by Ken Watson on 13 April 2007.

Hello back Ken, Sorry mate I have never been to to the dry dock, but will ask my son if he has any info for you .Take care Paul

Added by Paul Mara on 14 April 2007.

I served on board the Auriga 1957, we based in the Shetlands carrying out deep dives under the ice testing sonar equipment. On one occasion we surfaced in the early hours of the morning to hear on the radio that our boat was missing, because our surfacing signal to our surface ship had been bounced to Malta, it took some time to get the message through to our surface ship that we were O.K. In the meantime subsmash 1 had been put into operation.

Added by Michael H Marketis on 22 June 2007.

Hi Michael, did you ever get stationed at Halifax with 6th SubSqdn?

Added by Ken Watson on 22 June 2007.

Hello Ken, no I never did get to Halifax although we spent many months carrying out deep dives in the Atlantic ocean. I was lucky enough to send most of my time in boats working with Boffins so was never attached to any particular Sqdn. Regards Michael.

Added by Michael H Marketis on 23 June 2007.

Hello Ken, I was on Auriga from 1970 to 1972 but she had a 4inch gun at that time
but your 1960 picture does'nt show this. Do you know when it was fitted? I know it was taken off during 72 refit, which is when i left her and the navy.

Added by Dave Stephens on 18 August 2008.

Hi Dave: Only A Boats with guns which I recall were prior to being fitted with the sail and streamlined. I never saw, nor knew of one so fitted post modernization. Strange! Regards, Ken

Added by Ken Watson on 20 August 2008.

Hello Ken:

Appreciate your photo - I got to sail with a number of Brit Ex-Sumariners, in the Canadian Coast Guard and other ships, who had been stationed in Halifax.

This era was before Canada got its own submarine fleet going.

These guys were always good for great sea-stories, during the Watches.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 26 August 2008.

Yes Pat, my era, RCN 1960s. YVT, Ken, Halifax, N.S.

Added by Ken Watson on 26 August 2008.

If this is "s69" as claimed in the text above, then it is not repeat not submarine auriga. in 1960 she was s09 but in late 1961 then back home in the uk she became s69

Added by GODFREY DYKES on 13 April 2009.

Hello. Further to my comment posted on the 13th April, if you are at all interested in HM Submarine Auriga have a look at this webpage.
www.godfreydykes.info/SUBMARINE PENNANT NUMBERS.htm
I was the Petty Officer Radio Man [the RS] on the Auriga from 1962 until 1968 leaving her only when she refitted in Portsmouth UK between the Canadian [Halifax] Commission and her Far East [Singapore] Commission. During that refit period I served in HM Submarine Grampus [S04]. Regards.

Added by GODFREY DYKES on 14 April 2009.

Sir: This IS Auriga, however the pennant is impossible to read, could be 09 or 69, I would agree, she changed pennants about this time 60-61. Hair splitting. Have a good watch Godfrey.You can always tell a Kipper, but you can't tell him much., Yours, Ken.

Added by Ken Watson on 14 April 2009.

Hello,
I have a brass plate showing HM Auriga's Torpedo Firing Reservoirs, dated 4/9/68.
I aquired this plate when I worked at Rosyth Naval Base in the late 60's. It now has pride of place above my fireplace.
Shortly after I left Rosyth in the 70's, the boat was sold to the Brazilian navy. Last word from that country is that she is still afloat.

Added by Colin Campbell on 23 May 2009.

I Was the RS (POTS)on Auriga in 1969/70 Frank Worthington was the CO...have wonderful memories, I was also on Alaric...Artful....Alliance...Astute...they all look alike to me except fot the 4 inch gun.

Taff Bevan...demobbed Chief Radio Supervisor in 1975

Added by Brnbevan@yahoo.co.uk on 05 January 2010.

I joined Auriga when she returned from the Far East in 68, taking round to Chatham for a refit then stayed on as engineers store keeper. I was on there when we had the battery explosion in the Med in 70. I left the Auriga on the and went into Drake barraks, where I left the Navy on the 3rd June 1970.

Added by ' Pony ' Moore M(E)1 on 06 September 2010.

I was on the Auriga from 1st April 68 till 31st May 1970. Regardless of what Godfrey Dykes says in 'Submarine Pennant Numbers' about the battery explosion, we were on the surface at the time and those in the forward messes made there way out of the forward hatch and spent the rest of the night in the conning tower. I know, I was there.

Added by ' Pony ' Moore M(E)1 on 06 September 2010.

Thanks for your input 'Pony' always good to hear straight from 'live' witnesses. All best wishes from Canada, Your Ken 'Soapy'Watson ex ERA, RCN, 1960's.

Added by Ken Watson on 07 September 2010.

i joined the Auriga in Singapore, in June 67, and left in April 70.I was on watch on the bridge when the battery exploded.is there anyone who remembers Bordeaux in late 69?

Added by Dave Lycett(ex Ab Uc) on 23 October 2010.

Yes.
Had a good run with 'Vasco' the navigator, Lt.(Dave)Sandiford and the Tanky 'Goldy'.
I was in the forends during the bang. Nearly 'face aft and salute time'..!

Added by Strawbs. Killick forendie..! on 26 October 2010.

hello strawbs, you are the first one posting comments about the Auriga, who I remember. do you keep in touch with any one else from that time? sandy sandford was the best officer I knew. I met his brother in gib in the late 80s

Dave Lycett (ex ab uc)
dandelycett@gmail.com

Added by Dave Lycett(ex Ab Uc) on 27 October 2010.

I was a EM1 on the Auriga in 1965 took her from the UK to the Far East via Aden. The captain was LT/CMD Roundturner, other em`s included Tubby Harding and Taff Evens

Added by EM1 Allan Simmonds[Simmo] on 06 January 2011.

To add to my last comment we had the 4inch gun in 1965 as I have a photo of me next to the gun alongside in Singapore.

Added by EM1 Allan Simmonds[Simmo] on 11 January 2011.

Wotcha Dave,
Yes, Rodney the Grocer, Goldy the Tanky, Stormy Bullard, stoker Nat King, also, David Tall 5th hand OBE Ended up Commodore and now with Plymouth Argylle F.C.His brother Jeff was I/c S/m museum.Also an OBE and Bomber Skipper.
Still havent found Sandy Sandiford. Any Ideas..?
If so I'm on jungfigh@onvol.net

Cheers oppo.

Added by Strawbs on 27 May 2011.

Please add your comments about this picture using the form below.

Comments

Your Name

Your email address - this will be shown on the page and will allow the system to notify you of further comments added to this picture.