My last Boat: Thought I would have a... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

56,223 members66,856 posts

My last Boat

holly17 profile image
43 Replies

Thought I would have a think back to older times this was my last submarine before I retired from the Royal Navy in 1981 it was a different life. :)

Written by
holly17 profile image
holly17
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
43 Replies
Suz01 profile image
Suz01

Hi Fred.

Now that is impressive. I can't imagine being in one (submarine) What is it like?

Suz xx

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply toSuz01

Hi Suz this boat is or was one of the large nuke missile type so lots of room unlike the diesel ones where room was tight. Life on board was routine work, eat , sleep etc. W would stay submerged for approx 2 months at a time. But a life I would not change. xx Fred :)

Jolyn profile image
Jolyn

That's a smashing pic Fred and you have such lovely memories. Thank you for sharing them with us. Now you're going to have to tell us some stories about that wonderful life in the Navy. :-) xxx

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply toJolyn

Lyn your far to young for those stories lol xxx :)

Jolyn profile image
Jolyn in reply toholly17

Lol....if I'm not old enough now Fred, I never will be ... lol :-) xxx

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply toJolyn

I was being kind Lyn as you are younger than me, and I could say I am not allowed to tell of my time in the service as I signed the official secrets act, but that only included my job not what went on ashore, but then if I told you about that I would then have to kill you so slow you would giggle yourself silly.Maybe I will write a book and sent you a copy. What should I call it, any suggestions. lol xxx :) ;)

Jolyn profile image
Jolyn in reply toholly17

Running off screaming with my arms in the air...lol xxx

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply toJolyn

You are funny Lyn, can you run slower as I get out of breath, I have a new tickling stick. lol night sleep tight. xxx Fred ;)

Jolyn profile image
Jolyn in reply toholly17

Lol...lol...night Fred, hope you get a good nights sleep tonight. :-) xxx

helingmic profile image
helingmic in reply toholly17

Suggestion: "all men on board, counting me"!

butter-fly profile image
butter-fly

I really admire you being able to go underwater in a sub. It must have been very disciplined to avoid everyone going going stir crazy.

Wouldn't be able to go down even for five minutes. I am claustrophobic and the very thought makes me feel panic.

Hats off to you Fred. How about a pic of you in uniform? Love to see that! xx

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply tobutter-fly

Once you have dived you tend to forget you are under water, and claustrophobia doe's cut in, as you are busy and there are other thereabout you, the only thing is that you tend to notice all the little annoying things that others do. I don't believe I have any of me in uniform to hand, but will have a hunt around. xxx :)

Jolyn profile image
Jolyn in reply tobutter-fly

Me too sara...the very thought of it makes me panic...I couldn't do it. :-O

naresh62 profile image
naresh62

Much respect to you Fred,also to the heroes who serve in our Forces.Wow what a different life you had God bless naresh62

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply tonaresh62

Hi naresh62 just a job like every one else pal, hope your well ;)

sassy59 profile image
sassy59

What a great time you must have had Fred but I would not like to be on a submarine. Good memories though. xxxx

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply tosassy59

Yes I have some really good memories and also traveled all around the Far East which was one of the area's I all ways wanted to visit and the bonus was Japan, plus there were many other places, as well as hiding under water for months lol xxx ;)

cofdrop-UK profile image
cofdrop-UK

Respect Fred :-) Being claustrophobic I can't think of anything worse. cx

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply tocofdrop-UK

You would have been alright one of us would have held your hand, but then we would have had to smuggle you onboard before we sailed as no ladies allowed in my time. xx ;)

Sokrackers profile image
Sokrackers

Hi Fred Nice to have a pm post from you. Did I tell you about the time I was confined to cabin for 30 days. It was worth it!

Just done steamed cod fillet with greens. Peas n sweetcorn! My daughter smothered it in ketchup but grandad was quiet so I guess it was okay.

What's on the menu at chez Fred?

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply toSokrackers

Hi there love, oh you must tell the the story of what went on in the cabin for 30 days or was it a tropical decease , the mind boggles :). The meal sounded really nice till your daughter added the ketchup. I did meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce with pasta and garlic bread slices followed by strawberries and ice cream, a real naval healthy meal lol. I am off for a scan in the morning so will depend on how the time goes as to whether or not I get on here at all. Stay safe speak later xxx Fred ;)

Sokrackers profile image
Sokrackers in reply toholly17

Hi sweetheart

Yes little monster wanted meatballs so maybe I should have given in. I'm defrosting last year's apples for crumble n custard. Tidied the decks away so looking ship shape.

Twas the Captain that confined me and half the crew to quarters. I seemed to forgotten the time one shore leave!!!

God bless

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply toSokrackers

Spooky seeing I did meatballs, pleased you have every thing ship shape and Bristol fashion. Oh dear over ran time on the run ashore, nothing to do with the local brew was it. Byeeeeeeeeee for now xxx ;)

Sokrackers profile image
Sokrackers in reply toholly17

No Fred my problem with the local brew was in Gibraltar. 10 months on board after a transatlantic docked in Gibraltar CIDER! I was dancing the light fan dango! Hic hic

helingmic profile image
helingmic in reply toholly17

Good luck with your scan. Hope you get good results. Mic

holly17 profile image
holly17

Kracker I did the same dance in Gib many times when we were showing the flag around the Med xx

Towse1950 profile image
Towse1950

Yes we all have time to reflect on our different lives. I worked abroad in Libya...it was lovely in the 80's....Oman, Egypt.....etc......I was an Overseas Financial Advisor to the Expats. Lived the job the pressure went with the territory. Love my more peaceful slower pace....goes with the territory! I wake up and make each day to be the very best....hope you all do too. Audrey Jersey.

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply toTowse1950

Well said Audrey every day is a bonus ;)

Towse1950 profile image
Towse1950 in reply toholly17

We must keep breathing and enjoy.......Audrey x

Have a lovely week-end!

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply toTowse1950

Agree Audrey that's one thing we must all keep doing no matter how hard, stay safe and warm have a lovely weekend xx Fred ;)

bikergrove profile image
bikergrove

Can't imagine what being under water like that would be like, not for me i am afraid of large expanses of water x

bulpit profile image
bulpit

That's really something Fred, You must be a very proud man,lovely to relive memories of previous times,all those far off places you visited,as you say a different life. Regards Bulpit

Lyd12 profile image
Lyd12

Hi Fred

I was wondering if being an ex submariner had any health issues. And I googled health of ex submariners. It seems you are a pretty healthy bunch with no excess of cancer. wondered if you had followed up any of the sites.

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply toLyd12

I seem to be the exception to the rule as I have cancer in both lungs but this never happened till 25 yrs after I left subs and I put it down to smoking or something else as I gave up many years ago. :)

Wow what a great picture :) thanks for sharing.

katieoxo60 profile image
katieoxo60

That's a grand picture Holly17, my father was in the navy, not on subs but a chief stoker down in the bowels of the ship, but he was discharged after the war on medical grounds. presuming the navy or sea has been your whole life trade. Have a good day hope you are comfortable ,no pain and here's a few smiles for you :) :) :) x

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply tokatieoxo60

Good to hear your father was also in the navy as a chief, yes I joined at 15 and servred till I was 40. Hope you are pain free. xxx :)

helingmic profile image
helingmic

holly17 What a fine ship she is. You must be proud of having been part of its team. Well done! Mic

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply tohelingmic

Thank you Mic I served on all four of the Polaris Missile submarines as a missile launcher Chief.

helingmic profile image
helingmic in reply toholly17

Wow! I was in Birkenhead in teh 70s. I heard a lot about Polaris then. This was the state of the art of our fleet then. And you were behind all the nuclear stuff. Thank you for defending our country.

holly17 profile image
holly17 in reply tohelingmic

I was also at Birkenhead for the build as 2 were built there and the other two at Barrow in Furness then out to the States for the first practice firing . Yes I was involved with the launching side really interesting. Cheers Mic

hufferpuffer profile image
hufferpuffer

How fabulous Fred! i've never met a submarine farer before! :D my pardner is a merchant seaman, he's been at sea since the age of 18 and he's 52 this year, at the moment on the Holyhead to Dublin crossings. I love the photo! Hugs huff xxx

holly17 profile image
holly17

Hi there huff a submariner is the same as any other seafarer only better lol. As your other half well knows being at sea is like a drug as long as you have respect for it. xxx Fred :)

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Last winter

As per @2greys’ s post..last year was very icy..and long..I remember I had to go to Lyons in...

my last post " sad news"

If anyone took offence I apologise , I just assumed quite wrongly that everyone would get the big...
soulboy118 profile image

My retirement did not last long.

Tomorrow I will be back at the salt mine, just 7 days later, only the one day at the moment but the...
2greys profile image

I JUST SMOKED MY LAST CIGARETT

You were all so kind and gave me support when I asked for help to stop smoking. So....just before...
hajoed profile image

Thank you s dry skin around my boat so. Smile on.

Hi. Big thanks to all for. Your veried advice. Just got back from very long day trying for 6...
Tricity125 profile image

Moderation team

See all
AsthmaandLung profile image
AsthmaandLungAdministrator
Claire_ALUK profile image
Claire_ALUKAdministrator
moderator_AandLUK profile image
moderator_AandLUKAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.