Transferred to Portsmouth
until
centralised.
H e r a
l d i
c D a t a
Badge:
On a Field White in front of 3
bars couped
wavy Blue,
a Roebuck's head erased Proper, gorged with a
ducal crown Gold
D
e t a i l s o f
S e r v i c e
(for
more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and
type name in Site Search
1 9 4 8
March
Carried
out First of Class harbour and Sea
Trials
to
(Note: First of
the conversions to Survey Ship to be
completed
April. Manned
by
Trials complement and after extensive
trials consequential repair work
was
completed by HM Dockyard.)
May
4th
Commissioned for foreign
service in the Far East
.
(Note: Seven
Assistant Hydrographers
were included in complement.)
Commanding Officer:
Captain K. St.B
Collins,
QBE, DSC
.
(Later
Rear Admiral, KBE,.DSC
and Hydrographer
1957 to 1960).
First
Commission 1948 - 50.
June
18th
Took passage from Chatham and on
completion of D/F
calibration sailed for Devonport.
22nd
Sailed from
Devonport for foreign
service.
26th
Emergency repair
work carried out at Gibraltar after
rough passage
Resumed passage on
completion.
July
Passage in Red Sea and Indian Ocean with
call at Aden.
(Note:
Oceanographic measurements and shoal
examinations
were carried out on passage.
.
27th
Searched for B29
aircraft which crashed when taking off
at night from Khormaksar,
Aden,
(Note: No
survivors found.
Wreckage
located by radar and buoyed.
August
Diverted
to Colombo to land rating for medical
treatment.
Joined BPF at Singapore (August).
September Carried
out Malayan Coasts Survey based at
Singapore.
to
(Note: These
included Kelentan
(East) and Bintulu
(West). Klang
Strait,
October
and Port
Swettenham.
November
On
completion took passage to Hong Kong
December Under
refit and docking at Hong Kong
(Note: Work
done included replacement of Starboard Danforth
anchor by 34cwt Stockless
type and
Hawse pipe modified.
1 9 4 9
January Refit
in continuation
to
New Commanding
Officer: Commander SJ Hennesey,
RN (19/01/49)
March
April
Carried out Survey
in Borneo area.
to
(Work
included Batang
Sadong and
Labuan (Ship and Detached parties)
June
Brunei Bay (Ship) and Brunei River
(Detached Parties)
July
Docking and
Essential Defects at Singapore
On
completion
deployed for survey on East coast of
Malaya
(Note: Work
included Sermut
Abi; Kota Bahru
area and Kelentan.
August Despatched
to Hong Kong for special new
requirement.
Carried out Deep
Bay local survey
with protection provided by RM
Commando unit.
September Deep
Bay survey in progress
7th
Typhoon conditions
experienced
with winds of up to 100 mph which
enforced
move from
normal anchorage to a better position
off TAINKEN Island.
(Note: Two
dinghies were wrecked on quarterdeck.
Flooding
caused due to poor fitting
of scuttles and superstructure doors.
Commanding
Officer reported overall behaviour to be
reassuring . ).
Party taken
to Pratas
Reef to repair damaged Meteorological
Equipment but unsuccessful.
Returned to Singapore
to continue
East Coast survey.
October
East Coast survey in
continuation.
to
(Note: Work
included Perhentian
Island to Sungei
(Kelentan).
November
Continuous
sounding and 'least depth' determination
recorded over wrecks
in
China
Sea on passage to
and from survey area.
December
Taken
in hand for Annual Refit
and Docking at Hong Kong
1 9 5 0
January
Under refit
to
(Note: Work
included fit of Electrical driven
davits.
April
Repair of Hall structure damage
sustained on
passage.
Funnel
height extended by 6 feet which later
proved fully worthwhile and
reduced
effect of
fumes and heat haze in bridge area.
On
completion took passage to Borneo
May
Carried out survey
between Labuan and Gaya Bay
Returned to Singapore to re-commission
18th
Commissioned
(Note: New
Ship's Company from Chatham Depot
travelled in HM
Light Fleet Aircraft
Carrier OCEAN and transferred with ships
lying in adjacent berths.
20th
Survey work was
resumed off North Borneo between Labuan
and Gaya Bay
Second
Commission
1950 - 54
June
Survey
carried out at Victoria Harbour
to
(Note:
Kuala Similajou
commercial Timber development facilities
were well in hand)
July
Carried out survey
of Tioman
Exercise area.
August
Transferred for further
Malayan coast work including Cibu
Channel to Blair Harbour,
to
Klang
Strait and Penang)
November
December
Passage
to Hong Kong for annual refit.
(Note:
Shoal examination, least depth
assessment of wrecks and continuous
soundings on
passage with
Bathythermograph measurements.
1 9 5 1
January Under
refit
to
(Note:
Local shoal
examination work was undertaken at Hong
Kong.
April
Detached party was
deployed on DG Range survey at
Singapore.
New
Commanding Officer:
Commander RH Connell
(16/03/51).
May
Resumed Borneo East
Coast survey work including Tanjong
Batu to Batang
Tatau)
to
(Note: Extensive
use of Detached Parties for setting up
Marks, Triangulation and Tide
June
Watching)
Body of civilian
Manager taken to Miri
at
request of Timber Company.
July
Passage to Singapore for Docking period.
Extended because of
replacement of bearings in "A"
bracket.
31st
Dockyard work
completed
August Resumed
NE Borneo coast survey at Kuala Similajou
to
Detached Party
at Bintulu.
September
October Passage
to continue Malayan coast survey.
Local surveys
carried out at Singapore and Penang
November On
completion took passage to Hong Kong for
annual refit.
During
passage affected
by Typhoon AMY
with
wind speeds up to 80 knots and heavy
seas.
(Note:
Commanding Officer reported:
'Behaviour
beautiful in a sea way with dry foc'sle
but very wet quarterdeck.’
'Little
pounding but needed to keep Revolutions
for 9 knots
to hold required
course '.
‘Damage
to hull structure below waterline added
to Defect
List.’
December
Taken in hand for refit by HM
Dockyard, Hong Kong.
1 9 5 2
January Under
refit
to
Local survey work
undertaken.
March
April
Passage to resumed
survey on West coast Borneo survey
May
Survey in continuation
including periods at Tanjong
Pandaras
and Tanganak:
to
(Note: Extensive
liaison established with shore survey
authorities in Borneo.
July
Identified
need for US co-operation during future
work
(See below).
Ship and
Detached parties used for Sandakan
- Marudu
Bay area.
Located wreck
of Japanese tanker using A/S and E/S
equipment (May)
August
Returned
to Singapore to re-commission and for
Docking Period.
Third Commission
1952-54.
15th
Commissioned for service
September Under
refit
Detached
Parties carried out work in Pulau
Tioman.
October
Resumed
survey including Burong,
To Kong Bara,
Sirbuat, Hariman
and Sembilang.
November Deployed
on West Coast Malaya continuation
Detached Parties at
Penang
and Georgetown.
December
Diverted
for special wreck investigation in
Brunei Bay.
Passage to Hong Kong for refit with
calls at Manila and at US Navy Base at
Subic Bay
for US
equipment. (12 December)
Taken in hand for
annual refit period and docking.
(Note:
Extensive preparation of Charts was
carried out
during these periods)
1 9 5 3
January Under
refit
to
Dockyard
work
included
March
Replacement of Tail
Shaft bearings by new type.
Main
Engines
re-aligned in accordance with 1952
Directive from Admiralty.
New
Bottom Search Asdic,
Type 162 fitted.
(Note
Echo-Sounding
Outfit Type 767 to replace E/S Type 765
not available.)
Local survey
work using ship's boats was carried out.
New Commanding Officer:
Commander JC Grattan,
DSC*
(05/03/53)
April.
On completion of
dockyard work carries out Full Power
Trial
(Note:
Speed - 18 knots after many problems
rectified
Took passage to
resume North East Borneo continuation.
May
Survey
in continuation including Labuan area
and Kennedy Bay for shoal examination
using
newly installed Type 162:
Work included Sibuang
to Billean;
Darvel
Bay; Kudat
Ship and Detached Parties were used for
these tasks.):
June
Work suspended to attend
Coronation ceremonies at Sandakan with
Parades and visits
by Tribal
dignitaries. Ship was illuminated and
Open to Public visitors.
8th
Returned to
survey.
Court Martial
of Stores Petty Officer carried
out relating to
deficiency in Cash Clothing
Account. Result: Disrated
and deprived of
GC Badges and LS Medal.
July
Borneo survey tasks in continuation.
August On
completion took passage to Singapore for
Docking period
At Singapore for hull examination and
essential defect repair by HM Dockyard.
During this
period local reef examinations were
carried out.
September
On
completion resumed Malayan East Coast
survey.
to
Motor
Launches were deployed to
assist using portable Echo-sounding
equipment
October
Detached
parties were landed for Tidal and other
observations.
November
Transferred to West Coast of
Malaya including survey
work at Penang with ship
anchored
at Pulau Jerejak
for extensive Boat work.
(Note: Royal
Malayan Navy trainees embarked for sea
experience.)
December
Passage
to Hong Kong for annual refit
Reef
examination carried out off Jesselton.
11th
Ship forced to
Hove
to for 48 hours in excess
weather conditions.
(Note:
Upper Deck fittings broken and flooding
of
compartments on Lower Deck.
Damage
to underwater Asdic transducer fittings
and hull structure.
Army
personnel embarked for this trip
accustomed themselves well
!)
On arrival taken in
hand for refit by HM Dockyard.
1 9 5 4
January Under
refit
to
Work undertaken
included replacement of parts of Funnel
Deck and Midships
structure
March due
to excessive corrosion.
Air
Conditioning Unit fitted in Survey
Chartroom
(Note Similar
unit was had previously been fitted in
Sick Bay.)
April
After
trials took passage
to Singapore for Annual Inspection.
May
Resumed
North East coast Borneo survey based at
Labuan
to
(Note:
Recommendation made that urgent need
existed for improved navigational aids
August
to be
provided around this coast.
Implementation
was felt difficult because of financial
constraints.
Ship and
detached parties engaged in Billean
- Kukuban
area: where a 40 foot
Tower was
sited on summit of Tigabu
for a Beacon to be
installed with local
assistance
and much effort required.
Rating
seriously
injured in swimming pool accident and
evacuated by air with neck
vertebra
fracture (May)
Attended
Queen's Birthday Parade at Sandakan with
HMS NEWFOUNDLAND
(Flag
officer 2nd
in Command, Far East Station
embarked) (5th and 6th June)
Carried out
unsuccessful search with Mosquito
aircraft for a pirate vessel after raid
on
Jambougon
Island (24th June).
Visited Indonesia port of Tarakan.
(16th-18th
July).
(Note:
Sluggish start but eventually hospitable
conclusions
(16/8 July).
Carried
out shoal
examinations on passage to Singapore
for routine
docking.
September In
hand for hull examination by
HM Dockyard, Singapore.
Rating injured
in accident with motor vehicle in
Dockyard.
October
On
completion resumed
East coast Malaya survey tasks
in Aur - Tioman
area
Medical
assistance provided at Paula Tioman.
Detached party
with Motor Launch assistance sent to
Penang to prepare for future work.
14th
Deployed on
West coast Malaya at Penang.
Royal Malayan
Navy trainees embarked for sea
experience
23rd
Passage to Singapore to recommission
Notes on 3rd Commission
Contemporary documentation
suggests a higher number of warrants for
punishment being read
than
would be expected. These included Leave
breaking,
Drunkenness, and in one Neglect of
duty involving deficiency in cash
accounting.
Embarkation
of Royal
Malayan Navy personnel
(Commissioned Bos'n and 25 ratings)
proved
very successful. Future Arrangements were
made to include ME
and Supply Branch ratings in
future.
Fourth
Commission 1954-56
29th
Commissioned
November Resumed
West coast Malaya
survey based at Penang and included included
Tidal
observations
and an Oropesa
Sweep
of Southern approach channel.
Midshipmen
from HM Cruiser NEWCASTLE embarked.
December Passage
to Hong Kong via Singapore for Annual
Refit.
Shoal
examination carried out in South China
Sea using Taut Wire Measuring Gear for
Beacon laying.
Bathythermograph measurements made.
On arrival at
Hong
Kong taken in hand
for refit by HM Dockyard.
1 9 5 5
January
Under
refit.
to
(Note: This was
marked by disciplinary problems some of
which had to be dealt with by
March
Court
Martial (See below).
Dockyard work
included fitting of Echo-sounding Outfit
Type 76? fitted.
New
Commanding Officer: Commander CRK Roe,
DSC (18/02/55).
April
Completion delayed
till 4 April by replacement of fuel pipework
found to
be corroded
beneath
lagging.
On
completion took passage to Singapore
during which Shoal examinations were made.
12th
After arrival
despatched in emergency diversion to
carry out search for missing civilian
aircraft
KASHMIR EXPRESS near Natuma
Island.
Raised steam
quickly and sailed with some libertymen
still ashore.
13th
Three
survivors and three bodies
recovered and taken to Singapore
(Note: It
was later suggested that this was a
result of sabotage as aircraft was
carrying
some
representatives
to an 'Afro-Asian' conference at
Bandung).
14th
Courts Martial
held (See above.)
Able Seaman charged with 'An act
prejudicial ' -
Found Guilty and sentenced to 15 months
detention.
Signalman
charged with 'Behaving with contempt'
and other lesser charges - Pleaded
Guilty
and sentenced
to 9 months detention, 9 days pay
stopped and
Deprived of 2 Good Conduct
Badges.
Able Seaman charged with 'Using insulting language'
and other lesser charges.
Found Guilty
and sentenced to 6 months detention and
deprived of 1 Good Conduct Badge.
Able Seaman
charged with 'Wilful disobedience', Striking
a superior
officer, Actual bodily
harm and
using insulting language. Pleaded Guilty
and
sentenced to 30 months cells and
Dismissed the
service.
Carried out Local
survey in Singapore
area.
Detached
parties for tide watching sent to Banaggi
and Tigarbu.
May North
Borneo survey in continuation in Mallawali
Channel area.
Detached
parties carried out tidal observations
and triangulation work.
Main Camp at Patanunma
Island.
Boats
engaged in sweeping and sounding
operations.
Pinnacle
located at Tanjong
Datu. whilst
based at Sandakan and at Kudat
for R&R periods.
Assisted in
local fire-fighting at Jesselton
(May)
June
Attended Queen's
Birthday Parade at Sandakan
Shoal
examination in Balabac
Strait and Miri
Radar fixing used
due to poor weather.
July
Local harbour
survey work undertaken at Sandakan for
SHELL petroleum
installation
Magnetic observation using
recently supplied
OHM and BMZ instruments.
Passage to Singapore.
Carried out survey
in Singapore Roads survey before
Docking Period.
August
Carried
out Local surveys at
Woodlands and for planned jetty at Boom
Defence Depot.
Docked at Singapore
for routine Hull examination.
September On
completion resumed East Coast Malaya
survey between Telak
and Kuala Rompin
with
to
Magnetic
observations.
October Shallow
Water Diving Team
exercised.
Fixed position of Pulau
Rosin in Gulf of Thailand.
Transferred
to West Coast
Malaya for continuation of work
including
November Work
included southern approaches to Penang.
Guards
provided for Remembrance Ceremonial
occasions at Penang
Tidal
observations made at Pulau
Rimau
and inshore surveying
Magnetic
observations carried out at Rimau
Island
Inshore
Beacons were lost in this period
On
completion of season’s work took passage
to Hong Kong
for annual
refit with call at
Singapore
December Taut
Wire Measurements,
soundings and shoal examinations in
South China Sea on
passage
to Hong Kong for refit.
Rough weather
caused damage and prevented completion
of planned work
Taken in hand for by
HM Dockyard, Hong
Kong for refit and
docking.
1 9 5 6
January Under
Refit.
to
Work included
modernisation of Messdecks
February Installation
of DECCA Track
Plotter Unit loaned for future work (See
Below).
Local survey
work undertaken at Hong Kong.
New
Commanding Officer:
Commander ND Royds,
RN (02/01/56).
March
On completion took
passage to Singapore to re-commission.
Fifth
Commission 1956-1958
April
Commissioned
May
Resumed North Borneo coastal
survey.
to
Extensive
use of
boats.
July
Tide watching party
established at Mantanam
Island and Rajang (Sarawak).
Earlier Mark
sited at Tawau
by HMS MERLIN in 1910 found to have been
moved and had to
be reset,
Bench Mark
placed by HMS HERALD not found and datum
remade by transfer from
Jesselton.
New temporary DECCA
Chain checked using
beacons and Track Plotter which proved
to
proved be a
great asset especially for soundings
work.
(Note: One
result of the work done during this
period was to
establish that the shorter route
from Tawau
to ports on NE coast
could be used safely.
This
was adopted later by timber ships when
improved Wallace Bay Saw
Mills
facilities
had been brought into use.)
Rescued crew
of Kumpit
(Local craft) which was on passage to Philipines
from Tawau
and
wrecked on
reef 10 miles north of Sempora.
Survivors were landed at Sempora
and met by
armed police
Capstan
shaft fractured and replaced by new sent
from Singapore.
Unexploded
Bomb
destroyed at Labuan at request of local
authorities.
August Temporary
DECCA Chain
set up for oil exploration removed and
to no longer available
for RN use
(August)
Increase
of leave
breaking offences was noted during this
period.
Detached
party landed at Mjara
in Brunei Bay to continue work whilst
ship in
Singapore.
Passage to Singapore
for
Maintenance Period.
Measured Mile in Singapore
area surveyed
to check least clearance over reefs.
September Resumed
North Borneo coastal survey
continuation.
to
Lack
of local DECCA Chain made necessary
greater shore clearance work by shore
parties to
October set
up Marks.
(Note: This
task was not popular.
Kudat used
as base for collection of support
requirements
always provided a good
reception and
made ship's company welcome.
Labuan also used for R&R.
Detached
Party in North West approaches to Mallalawi
Channel. Mjara
recovered.
November Transferred
to west coast of Malaya to carry out
small survey tasks in Port Swettenham
area
and in
Malacca Straits
Detached
party sent to Tanjong
Kling work.
December On
completion took passage to
Hong
Kong
for refit after call at Singapore.
Carried out
Shoal examinations
on Macclesfield Bank.
Prince
Consort
Island Lighthouse
fixed by intersection.
Taken in hand for
refit by HM Dockyard on arrival.
1 9 5 7
January Under
refit.
to
During this
period the usual harbour tasks for hydrographers
to
prepare charts from the results
March of
the surveying work were
carried out.
April
On completion of
refit took passage to resume East coast
of Malaya
survey work.
May This
period
required extensive use of Shore Parties
for tide observations and of ships’
boats
for setting
up survey datum Beacons.
(Note: Despite
lack of
entertainment the duty in isolated sites
for tide measurement was very
attractive
as the extent of the tasks was not
overwhelming and little supervision was
required
Screw of one
boat was fouled by wire and barriers
erected to protect divers from sharks
.
A Slight 'Flu
epidemic occurred on board (May)
June
Mail delivery was
carried out by RAF Sunderland aircraft
(June)
Made visit
to Kuala Pahang for Sultan's Jubilee but
this proved disappointing.
July
Leave during
R&R period restricted by lack of
berth (July).
During
passage to Hong Kong soundings were made
in Paracel
Islands
area.
Paid
off into Dockyard control on arrival.
Extended
refit commenced by HM Dockyard.
Principal
work done was the installation of two
Range DECCA Navigational; Aid
Equipment to improve
accuracy of position fixing of survey
datum
points.
Detached
Beat parties were employed to re-survey
at Singapore and also in Hong Kong
harbour
approaches.
Work
undertaken included: -Installation of
Two Range DECCA equipment.
Trials were
carried out by ship's staff during this
period to become familiar with the
operation
and handling
of the equipment.
Problems
with Radio communication between Slave
Stations and ship using US radio set
(Type TCS)
were not fully satisfactory as this
equipment is not easily transported.
Improvements
were made to accommodation by provision
of bunks instead for use instead
of hammocks.
Provision
of Cafeteria
messing facilities was provided by
changes to Galley arrangements.
1 9 5 8
January
Under refit
to
June
Sixth Commission 1958 - 60.
July
18th
Commissioned
18th July 1958
Commanding
Officer: Commander EW Haslam,
RN (20/05/58).
(Later Rear Admiral,
CB, QBE and Hydrographer 1975
-77).
Army personnel from GREEN
HOWARDS embarked
during sea trials.
Sister
Survey Ship HMS
COOK
in company briefly before leaving Hong
Kong
(Note: This
was the first time two survey ships had
been
together on Far East Station
since
1946.)
August Machinery
trials not
totally satisfactory but ship sailed to
conform with survey programme.
Passage to Singapore with
examination Helen Shoal in
South
China Sea.
On arrival
at Singapore difficulties were
experienced
in arranging the return of survey boats
left for
repair in Singapore Dockyard.
Carried out
SMASHEX exercise with HM Sloop CRANE, HM
Destroyer CAVALIER and
HM New
Zealand Frigate ROTOITI to simulate
emergency requirements for submarine
rescue
operation.
Detached
party sent to Pulua
Tionan.
September
Carried
Survey in Fleet Exercise areas K & L
Taut Wire
measurement made from Pulau
Aur
to 10 Beacon positions off shore
4th
Survey Launch SEALARK lost off
Pulau Aur
(4 Sept.),
Passage
to West Coast
of Malaya to resume survey work using
newly installed Two Range
DECCA
equipment
October
Slave Stations
equipment landed using lighter (5 ½
tons).
(Note:
GREEN Station site
30 miles south of Butterworth on Chernose
Estate.
Transfer
proved difficult and involved difficult
access by ferry and
subject to
flooding.)
RED
Station site 6 miles south of
Penang
on Dindings
Estate)
Presence
of snakes presented problems but easy
access.
TCS
used for
communication.
Two Range
DECCA used for fixing with Survey Boats
on either beam.
(Note:
Some ‘ Lane Slipping ‘ experienced
possibly due to chosen Slave sites.)
Detached
parties used for re-survey of Didings
River approaches and left to continue
survey
work
during forthcoming docking period.
18th
Formal
visit paid to Penang.
November Survey
in continuation
December
Survey
carried in area north of Cape Racchado
for proposed new oil terminal
near
an
associated power station near Penang.
(Note:
Position not recommended because of
limited depth making costly dredging
likely
Ground
for breakwaters was also believed
unsuitable (December 1958).
(Special
Note: Wilful disobedience charges
against five
ratings necessitated Warrant
punishment
Passage to Singapore for docking.
Under
repair in AFD 11 at Singapore
(Note:
Port shaft bushes refitted to correct
earlier work at Hong Kong.
Starboard
Steam Generator rewired.
Boat
winch defect repaired.
On
completion deployed for East Coast
survey.
1 9 5 9
January Resumed
West Coast
Malaya Two Range DECCA survey continued
between Kuala Gula
to
and Tanjong
Hantu area
(35 mile south
of Penang).
February R&R
at Penang with children's parties.
Dindings
Detached Party reported discrepancies
with earlier
survey by HM Sloop in 1920’s
and latest
work.
Ship's
Crest presented to
Lumut
Museum and accepted by Rajah.
Extensive
use of boats
(Note: Significant wear on shafts since
September 1958 noted.)
Further
survey work to be resumed in November
1960.
February
24th
Present during visit
by HRH The Duke of
Edinburgh to Singapore Dockyard.
Embarked
party for Borneo whilst Passage to Hong
Kong (March).
Passage to
Hong Kong with call in Borneo to
disembark passengers
March
At Hong Kong for Royal Visit
Carried out
shoal investigation in Kowloon Bay for
check on South Channel
approaches
Objectives
not fully achieved because weather
conditions prevent astro
fix.
3rd
Present at departure of
Royal Yacht after visit by HRH The Duke
of Edinburgh.
(Special
Note: Recommendation made that Local
Leave in Hang Kong for 7 days plus a
Long
Weekend should be given to all ships
companies of survey vessels in
Far
East
in
middle of each commission was made by
Commanding
Officer HMS DAMPIER.
This
would
provide compensation in a better climate
for hard work necessary
during
hydrographic activities. In this period
£7000 was withdrawn from
ship's
POSB
facility with only £45 paid in.)
April
Sailed from Hong
Kong for routine Hull examination and
carried out
shoal examination
work.
Training
programme
arranged during stay.
May Deployed
for
continuation of East coast Malaya survey
using Two Range DECCA
to
Sites for
Slave Stations established with
assistance from Army Landing Craft for
transport of
July equipment
(Note
RED Station sited 4 miles south of Mersing.
GREEN
Station sited at Tanjong
Datok, Johore.
During
Special survey of Exercise areas off
Palau Tioman.
GREEN
Slave site
transferred
to position north of Kuantan
(22
Way)
Work
included Coastal area and inshore waters
Kuala Pahang - Tanjong
Gelang
and
Tangjong Sirik
-
Batang Mukah.
Investigation of
shoals discovered delayed
completion of programme.
Regular
mail deliveries were received
Leave only
possible on 28 days out of 92 on
task.
Boat
work during R&R at Kuantan
difficult in poor weather and at low
water.
In first
year of Commission 830 man-days lost
through sickness ashore.
August Docking
and Annual
Inspection at Singapore (August)
(Notes:
Ship won Far East Fleet Soccer Trophy.
Dockyard
work included extensive boiler
re-tubing.
Both survey
whalers unserviceable and repaired
Two ratings
sentenced to local detention for leave
breaking offences.
September Deployed
for joint survey tasks off Borneo with
Sarawak Hydrographic
Survey Department
to
Detached
parties for Tide
Watching and Marking.
October
Visits paid to Kuching
and Miri
for R&R.
23rd
Diverted briefly to cross the
Equator for first time (23 October)
(Note:
Night Leave given on
only seven nights during 52 days
on
station.
November Resumed
survey tasks on West coast Malaya
including Dindings
River area and approaches
to Penang
(Notes:
R&R week-ends at Penang.
Future work
sharing discussed with Malayan Director
of Marine.
Tide camps
set-up for simultaneous observations at
Port Swettenham
Check
surveys carried out at Pintu
Gedong
Bar, Kuala Batu
and Port Dickson.
Soundings
made in Klang Strait before
return for to
re-commission at Singapore
December
Passage to Singapore.
5th
Arrived at Singapore
(Note:
Statistics for commission ending
December 1959 - 5,300 hours of boat
survey
work.)
Taken in hand
for refit by HM Dockyard Singapore
Seventh Commission,
1960-61
1 9 6 0
January Under
refit
1st
Commissioned
Commanding
Officer: Commander DW Haslam,
RN (20/05/58).
February Under
refit
to
(Notes: Detached
party deployed in entrance to Johore
Strait.
March
One officer
narrowly escaped serious injury when he
fell into a submerged trap whilst
carrying
out coastal survey tasks.
New ship’s
company joined.
Refit Work
included:
Installation
of the new Survey Radar (Type 979) and
TELLUROMETER equipment
(Note: Type
279 was specifically designed for
hydrographic use.
Radar
Type 979 fit incomplete at end of
refit (Transformer required)
TELLUROMETER
equipment designed in South Africa had
been developed
specifically
for precision measurement of distance
for surveying use.)
A&A
to reduce high temperatures in Radar and
DECCA compartments
recommended.
Extensive
hull maintenance and some deck plates
renewed
2 Range DECCA
Equipment checked by manufacturer.
Port Main
Propulsion Engine stripped and both
Boilers partially re-tubed
April
6th
Ship ready for new ship's company
for new season 6 April 1960.
Army Air Corps
party embarked during sea trials.
Resumed survey
tasks off west coast Malaya
Deployed for
special survey of Port Dickson area to
establish whether further commercial
development of
existing facilities for use by Royal
Malayan Navy was feasible
Survey carried
out of Perak River.
May
Carried
out shoal
examination in Java Sea in position
where ss
SOGNEFJELL had grounded
and Least Depth
established over two shoals which were
fixed.
Resumed East
coast of Borneo survey
Special
examination and clearance of entrance
into KUNAK (Mostyn
area) with coastal
survey to
compare with previous work dated 1891/2.
(Note: Work
done in the Darvel
Bay area was later proved to be
Invaluable during the
Confrontation
with Indonesia between 1962 and 1966
when
British forces were very
active
in suppression of infiltration by sea in
this region.)
June Borneo
survey in continuation
R&R visit
to Birds Nest Caves
Attended
Queen's Birthday celebration at Sandakan
with HM Depot Ship WOODBRIDGE
HAVEN in
company)
Detached shore
parties sent to East Coast of Malaya to
set up 2 Range DECCA equipment
required for
next major survey task.
(Note: It was
hoped that by re-siting
Slave Stations, performance
could be improved.
July Passage
to Singapore
for routine docking.
4th
New Commanding
Officer; Commander JD Winstanley,
RN
Docking period
at Singapore included repair of fuel
tank
and rewiring of electrical circuits in
Gland Space
after small fire due to short-circuit
27th
Submarine
SUBSUNK exercise
August Docking
period.
September On
completion carried out
examination of Howard Shoal off Borneo
by search using Anti-
to
submarine outfit
October
Least depth 34 feet.
(Note: Could
not carry out sweeping operation because
of fishing ground markers.
Resumed
tasks off East Coast
Malaya Two Range DECCA Survey including
Tanjong
Gelang -
Dungun; Selar
Sinki - Pulo
Blankang
Mati:
Detached
parties landed for Slave Stations and coastlining
work.
Slave station
equipment returned by road to Singapore.
November Returned
to Singapore.
Surf Boat won
Round the Island Race.
Took passage to
Hong
Kong
for Local Survey task.
On passage
carried out Delineation of 100 fathom
line south of Hainan for National
Institute
of
Oceanography.
December Deployed
at Hong Kong
Carried out
Shore line survey in preparation for
local redevelopment and reclamation work
Passage to Singapore during which shoal
examination
made in Carimata
Strait.
(Note:
Requirement had been
reported by HM Destroyer CARYSFORT and
Least Depth of
19
feet found lower than marked. Core
samples were take by Shallow Walter
Divers.
Taken in hand
for Annual refit and docking by HM
Dockyard Singapore.
1 9 6 1
January Under
refit during which outstanding defects
in Radar Type 979 were
repaired.
(Note:
Required improvement of Range and
Bearing accuracy was established later.
Detached
parties continued survey of western
approaches to Singapore.
Least depth was
established over four wrecks
(Note: 1960
target reached due to increased speed of
soundings and night operation
capabilities.
February On
completion of dockyard work 18 students
from Singapore Polytechnic were embarked.
Resumed tasks
on West coast Malaya including Perak
River.
R&R at Pangkor
March
Deployed
off west coast Malaya. Visited
Penang.
Took passage to
Singapore.
April
Deployed at Singapore during official
visit to Far
East Station by the First Lord of the
Admiralty (Lord
Carrington)
Slave Stations
sites established for next series of
surveys off east coast Malaya
Passage for
survey tasks on completion of visit.
(Note: Poor
performance of Two Range DECCA noted,
possibly due to unsatisfactory siting
of
Slave
Stations.
New radar (979)
used with Beacons to check Deccometer
Lanes provided
by DECCA to
offset these
problems.
10th
Assisted
in search for sailing craft run
down by ss
LEEDS CITY. but only wreckage found
May
East
coast Malaya tasks in continuation.
Took passage
to resume tasks off North West Borneo
continuation
June
Deployed off Borneo.
Fuel
contamination problems on passage to
work between Usakan
Bay
and Bisa
Island
Sounding work
and tidewatching
delayed by weather.
R&R at Jesselton.
Attended Queens Birthday Parade at Jesselton
with Australian Arm
Took passage
to Singapore to re-commission. and
routine
docking
Taken in hand
for docking and essential defects by HM
Dockyard Singapore.
Eighth
Commission 1961-62
Commissioned:
June 1961
Local survey
work carried out using ships boats in
Western Approaches to port.
Azimuth
position for Satellite Tracking Station
established at Sembawang.
Security Platoon and other
specialised
training carried out in shore
facilities.
July
Under refit and
annual docking for hull inspection
New Commanding Officer: Commander
JD Winstanley
(04/07/60).
On completion
resumed survey tasks off NW Borneo.
August North
West Borneo survey in continuation
to
Visited Kuching
to discuss arrangements with shore
authorities
November Deployed
in Darvel
Bay and Lamak
Bay, North Borneo.
Major
triangulation work linked with 1958
surveys.
(Note: Some
survey time lost by weather conditions
and replenishment
Extensive
Coastlining,
Tide Watching and
sounding work was carried out.
Significant
effort deployed in setting up Marks on
shore sites at Pulau
Gaia and
Tarma
Balu
involved clearance of
paths through virgin jungle and at one
time
required
use of 103 men
.
R&R
periods at Sibuan Island and
Sandakan.
Position of
ORIENT EXPLORER Oil Rig fixed using
survey Marks and 979 Radar.
Light Buoy
re-fixed.
Diverted to
investigate anchorage at
Pura
Pura
Island (Labuk
Bay) for ships loading
Palm Oil
during NE Monsoon season. Full survey
recommended
Electrical
storm caused error in Magnetic Compass
and required unusual repair.
Passage
to Singapore on completion of tasks for
Annual Inspection
(Note:
During General Drill a 'Real fire' alarm
was activated by an overheated fan.
December
Resumed
tasks on West Coast Malaya continuation
including NW approaches
to Penang
using Radar
979 with Beacons incorporating
reflectors.
Trilateration
carried out by day and night.
(Note:
The procedures used
were prompted extensive discussion
and
recommendations to improve efficiency.
23rd
At Christmas and New Year at
Penang.
1 9 6 2
January
Sailed
from Penang to resume tasks
from Kuala Muda
northward along Kedah coast.
Tidal Camp
established at Pulau
Bidau
(RAAF Range).
R&R at Penang.
Machinery defects
occurred but did not cause
extensive delay
Tasks
continued between Kedah Pier and Pulau
Bidau
Sounding
carried out by ships and boats
Coastlining
and
soundings carried out between Kuala Mjdah
and Sungei
Sala Kachil
(Note: Progress was slow due to access
difficulties, mud and snakes.)
February
Under
refit and docking by HM Dockyard,
Singapore
to
Work undertaken included:
March
Replacement of davits
and winches for Survey boats
Fixed
mounted Saluting guns replaced by
portable version.
Three
new survey boats
fitted with modern E/S equipment
provided.
April Under
refit
Court Martial
of two Stores ratings held following
accounting discrepancies.
Both
dismissed the service.
9th
New Commanding Officer
appointed for next commission: Commander
J Pryor, RN.
May
Dockyard
Completion date delayed till 27 May due
to:
Additional
Hull repair work.
Fire in
Ship's Company Galley on 20th May when
Deep Fat Fryer
electrical supply was
not isolated.
(Note: Emergency feeding by HM Light
Fleet Aircraft Carrier BULWARK.
Modification
required to enable new Davits to be used
with new survey
boats.
Repair
of mechanical defects found during sea
trials.'
(Note:
Warping was found in tops of tables in
Chart Drawing Office. Possibly caused by
air
conditioning
On completion of trials took
passage to Hong
Kong
June
Carried out soundings over
proposed Commonwealth
telephone cable route during passage
and
to
Oceanographic
Station
work including water sampling and
temperature measurements.
July
(Note: Bottom
sampling work failed.)
On arrival
carried out Local Survey of
harbour and
western approaches at Hong Kong.
Harbour and
Territorial waters task completed.
Minor
accident involving shallow water diver.
Work
was interrupted by
Typhoon KATE.
Two fires
in survey motor boat caused by poor
design arrangements of exhaust pipework.
(Note:
Wiring repaired and all boats modified.)
Re-investigated
Helen Shoal area to
check earlier 1953 survey.
Work in Western
approaches to Hong Kong progressed.
August Took
passage to continue
North Borneo tasks and carried out
further Oceanographic
to
Stations work
on passage from Hong Kong.
September
On
arrival relieved HM Destroyer CAESAR as
SO Anti-Piracy Duty, North Borneo.
(Note:
Piracy was rife in these
waters and has even increased since
1980)
Labuk
Bay area completed by ship and
detached parties.
R&R
periods at Sandakan.
Assessment
made of TanJong
Niug area in
Labuk
Bay for use as Terminal for palm
oil ships.
Darvel
Bay approaches survey with detached
parties at Lahad
Datu.
October Returned
to Singapore for repair of
condenseritis
and bearing defect.
Whilst at Singapore undertook
preparatory work for
forthcoming survey of Singapore Straits
.
and had discussion with
representative of
Indonesian naval authorities to
establish liaison
arrangements
during planned survey in Indonesian
waters.
(Note:
This subject had been raised at 1962
International Conference in Monaco.)
Passage to
Borneo Survey and carried out Shoal
investigations in Exercise area as well
as
determination
of Least Depth of pinnacle south of Natuma
Island.
Deployed
off shore
at Lahad Datu
and landed
detached party inshore.
During
R&R period at Tawau
demolished underwater
obstruction at for new wharf.
Diverted by
Admiralty for shoal investigation at
proposed timber ship anchorage in
Soai
Solalum
Bay, west of Darvel
Bay)
Visited
Kuching
to discuss 1963 survey work with
Geological Survey Department.
29th
Took passage to Singapore for
re-commissioning and DED
period at Singapore.
Ninth
Commission 1962-64
November Deployed
at Singapore
to
Commissioned
December
Commanding
Officer:
Commander J. Pryor, RN
Docked for
routine hull inspection.
1
9 6 3
January Carried
out Shakedown
and survey work-up on completion of
docking (January 1963)
Attempted
investigation of sinking position of ss
KIEUNG in Malacca Strait abandoned.
Passage to
resume west coast Malaya survey tasks
Detached
party resumed Port Swettenham
inner area.
Ship work
commenced between Penang and Langawi
Langkawi
with 2 Range DECCA
and Radar
Type 979 extensively used during ship
sounding work.
RED
Slave sited at at
Kuala Muda
GREEN
Slave sited at Kuala Sanglang
(Note:
This is inaccessible by sea).
Tide
watching camps with boat sounding used
for inshore tasks.
February West
coast Malay tasks
in continuation.
March On
completion
returned to Singapore
Visited by
Hydrographer of the Navy (Rear Admiral
Irving.)
Passage to
Hong Kong carried out survey of cable
route
April
At Hong Kong for
planned local survey work.
to
Deployed for
investigation of tidal stream in a\ Wan
Island prior to use by vessels of
June
deep draught.
Landed
detached parties.
Serious
accident in W/T Office. Prompt action
saved life of Petty Officer.
US Design
Navigational aid (DAS2) fitted.
Early passage
to Borneo to avoid Typhoon TRIX and
continued Cable route survey
when
weather allowed.
Diverted
to join HMS MANXMAN and other ships to
search for missing SEA VIXEN
aircraft
belonging
to HMS HERMES
(Note:
This was unsuccessful.)
Detached
and took passage to Singapore for repair
of machinery defect
July
On
completion deployed in Borneo for
planned
survey work
to
Work included:
September Brunei
River
survey with detached party.
Survey of Continental
Shelf in South
China Sea in conjunction with SHELL
Company
and
Kuching
Survey unit. Visited Spratly
Island and Amboyan
Cay.
Darvel Bay
survey work continued
Ship
Survey work resumed between Sibaum
Island
and Bakuhang.
(Note:
Only six days in harbour during
this
work.)
Carried
out pre-refit machinery trial
during passage to Singapore for refit.
October Under
refit including
docking for inspection of underwater fitting
to
Detached
party to set-up 2 Range DECCA’equipment
at Port Swettenham
in preparation
December
for
planned survey work on West
Coast of Malay
(Note:
Ship undocked until strike by dockyard
workers was settled.)
Exhibition
of
results of recent survey work was not
well attended.)
1 9 6 4
January Refit
in
continuation
to
Commander
Pryor
attended Court Martial of commanding
Officer HMS COOK
February
as a Member.
(Note:
HMS Cook has been damaged after
grounding.)
On
completion of Post Refit sea trails took
passage to re-commence work off
west
coast.
March Carried
out
planned work between Penang and Langkawi
using 2 Range DECCA,
which
proved to be most satisfactory
Tide
watching
and boat sounding parties were landed.
(Note: The Slave stations were
inaccessible by sea.)
70% of
planned work
was completed
Shore
station DECCA equipment was dismantled
and returned to Singapore.
Meningitis
case airlifted to VICTORIOUS
(Note:
Recovered later)
Passage to
Singapore.
April
Sailed for
Hong Kong to resume survey tasks in
eastern Approaches
No
berth available on arrival due to Fleet
exercise.
(Note:
Inspection of survey area by
helicopter from CENTAUR.
Advance
party joined for
re-commissioning
.
Eastern
Approaches work resumed and
included ship sounding and coastlining
by
detached
party.
Obstruction
located west of
Aberdeen after some difficulty.
15th
Work
completed.
Trial
carried out using prototype
sideways-looking Sonar developed by Hong
Kong
University.
Transducer
unit streamed from
starboard derrick with receiver and
display in
Captains
Flat.
During
passage to Singapore to
re-commission. Fuel pump defect was
followed by
major incident
in No 1 Boiler Room.
Steam
feed heater pipe fractured
and filled the compartment with steam
and boiling
water
Fortunately no one was
injured and after a delay of an hour the
other boiler
was
brought into service and ship
was able to proceed.
Tenth
Commission 1964
- 65.
June Deployed
at Singapore.
2nd
Commissioned
Commanding
Officer: Commander MJ Baker, RN
(09/04/64).
10th Carried
out work-up NW of
Sumatra to practice survey and ship
safety requirements.
On return
Local survey work in Singapore area
(Note: Tide poles set up in
Boom Defence
Depot area.
Benchmark
made by HM Survey Ship WATERWITCH set
down in 1910 found.)
Diverted
from local survey to go to Gan
in Maldives Island
Group to assist in a combined
UK/US
survey task.
July
Whilst on passage
to Gan
further diversion necessary to deal with
medical emergency on
board.
(Note: Intended passage direct to
Colombo to land patient was avoided by
provision of an air
lift
by helicopter to HM Light Fleet Aircraft
Carrier CENTAUR.
A
successful
operation was carried out on board.
On arrival
attended Briefing meeting prior to
commencing new task
(Note: Gan
area Survey.
This
was
intended to cover islands in the Chagos
Archipelago with special attention
paid
to Diego Garcia.
UK team included representatives
from Ministry of Defence and the
Colonial Office.
US
Team consisted of 11 uniformed and
civilian personnel.
Triangulation
work using buoys with measurements by
radar, TELLUROMETER
and
Taut
Wire Measuring Gear to be carried out.
Diego
Suarez has since been developed as a
United States Base in the Indian Ocean)
August Deployed
for Gan
area survey.
(Note: On
completion reported that suitable
anchorages were available.)
.
Return
passage to Singapore
Resumed
local survey work
September Routine
docking and
Emergency Defects carried out by HM
Dockyard at Singapore.
October Deployed
for special
task on east coast Malaya.
Buoy
position fixing near Pulau
Aur
using 979, TELLUROMETER and Taut Wire
gear
On
completion took passage to resume Hong
Kong survey
tasks.
Eastern
Approaches work using boats and detached
parties resumed.
East Lamma
Channel survey commenced using ship and
boat
sounding.
Tide
watching parties
landed on Stanley Jetty.
November Hong
Kong deployment in continuation
Chinese
child rescued by tidewatcher
Accident
on board when Seaman fell from boat at
davit head in swell.
(Note:
Transferred to British Medical Hospital
and recovered.
TELLUROMETER
equipment extensively used for local
survey work.
December
Hong
Kong
deployment
in continuation
8th
Coastlining
work completed by 8 December.
Oil Fuel
leak discovered in Flour Store.
1 9 6 5
January
Deployed
at Hong Kong
Machinery
defect dealt with by local contract as
Dockyard facilities not now available
Shoal
examination and soundings work continued
during this period.
February Deployed
at Hong Kong
Local
check sweep made for Commodore Hong Kong
off KUN TUNG Jetty.
Passage to
Darvel Bay
to resume Borneo survey work and carried
out Oceanographic
Station
work.
Deployed
at Darvel
Bay NW Borneo
Tidal
camps set up at Bakungan
Island and Mataking
Island.
(Note:
Extensive
effort had to be made on clearance work
to set up Marks essential for
triangulation.
A
Triangulation Point set up by HM Survey
Ship HERALD in 1937 found.
Some
delays experienced during extension of
triangulation in order to
include Bajapa
Reef
and Matakingi.
Tidal
stream measurement
work was carried out by ship
March NW
Borneo survey in
continuation.
TELLUROMETER
measurements
made during shore survey work.
Defective
anchor windlass
shaft repaired by ship's staff.
Visited Manila for R&R and to
collect
Philippine Liaison Officer.
April
NW Borneo work in
continuation.
6th
New Commanding Officer appointed:
Commander MJ Baker,
RN
Southern
area sounding work completed before
departure.
(Note:
Safe use of coastal passage via Malawi
Channel now assured.)
Took
passage to Singapore and carried out
Oceanographic
work at ten Stations including
Bathythermograph
measurements and surface water sampling.
On
arrival carried out
Singapore Local Survey work. with
Harbour area boat sounding.
May
Deployed at Singapore including
establishment of
Clearance depth over existing wrecks.
to
(Note: Discussions with US scientist
(Dr. JC Rose, Hawaii University) about
future Pacific
June
Ocean
work were carried out.)
Detached
for patrol duty in Singapore Straits
associated with current KONFRONTASI
operations.).
Annual
Inspection carried out by Captain of HM
Light Aircraft Carrier TRIUMPH.
July
Taken in hand for
Annual refit by HM Dockyard Singapore
to
(Note: Hull condition considered
generally
satisfactory in view of age of ship.
August
Some
holes in
structure repaired.
Nominated
for Pacific
Ocean
Coarse Grained Physical Survey (HI 1)
Eleventh
Commission 1965-66
September Nominated
for special duty
27th
Commissioned
Commanding
Officer: Commander MJ Baker,
RN (06/04/64).
Refit
completed after delay due to completion
of work in Cold and Cool Rooms.
Took
passage to SW Pacific Ocean via Malawali
and Sibutu
Channels to Manus.for
Pacific
Ocean
Coarse Grained Physical Survey (HI 1).
(Note: Dr
Rose was embarked with specialist
equipment.
October
Port stem gland leak
discovered and repacked after arrival at
Manus.
EOTVOS
corrections made to Gravimeter were
unsatisfactory due to weather
conditions.
Commenced
survey
tasks in Coral
Sea
area North of Savo
Island.
Landed
detached parties with three Boats in
1,000 Ships Bay in British Solomon
Islands.
Traverses
made to record Geophysical measurements
between Russell Island to-Guadalcanal
Diverted to
land patient with appendicitis
at Honiara.
Continued
work between Santa Catalina Island to
Santa Cruz Basin
Carried out
survey in Western part of Torres Trench
between Venicoro
Island and Torres
Island and
between Rennell
Island and Indispensable Reefs
November
1st
Diverted to assist HM New
Zealand Cruiser ROYALIST that was
stranded without motive
power due
to boiler water contamination.
(Note:
Ship was drifting towards Bellona Island
about 90 miles away from survey
area.)
On arrival
went to render assistance with feeding
and to provide fuel but could not remain
alongside
because swell conditions were causing
structural damage.
Took HMNZS
ROYALIST in tow for over 100 miles into
clear water to safely wait until
tug CARLOCK
arrived from Brisbane.
4th
Lack of fuel obliged departure for
Port Moresby, with the cheers of
ROYALIST
ship's
company
ringing across the Coral Sea in
acknowledgement of the assistance given.
After
refuelling took passage to recommence
scientific work.
On passage
carried Traverses across Planet Trench
in the Solomon Sea to make Gravimeter
records.
Refuelled
at Manus before return to 1000 Ships Bay
to resume Physical Survey work.
Fixed Sable Island and Nugurias
Group and made shoal examinations during
passage
.
Some
discrepancies found with existing
charts.
(Note:
Only Starboard Shaft in use except in
restricted waters.
Completed
traverse of Trench SE of Ulawa
Island.
23rd
Shoal
measurement restricted by weather
conditions.
Passage to Port Moresby to refuel
November Gravity
and Magnetic profile measurements across
Solomon and Coral Seas
Returned
after refuelling to Honiara via 1000
Ships Bay.
December Carried
out Final leg of Survey Task HI 1with
Easterly traverses across Vitiaz
Trench
between
Malaita
Island and Charlotte Bank.
Arrived at
Suva, Fiji to land gear for Xrnas
Took
passage to Auckland, New Zealand.
1 9 6 6
January
Routine
docking and
essential defect work carried out in HM
New Zealand Dockyard.
Extensive
shaft alignment and structural work.
February Carried
out sea Trials on
completion of dockyard work.
On return
from sea trials collided with Jetty
Court of
Inquiry convened in Auckland Naval Base
before return to survey work in SW
Pacific.
(Note: On
leaving New Zealand eight members of the
ship's
company were absentees)
Passage
from Auckland
Deployed
for survey in South Pacific.
28th
Detached
parties landed at Vila, New Caledonia
for setting up Marks and Tide
Watching
March Commenced
ship
sounding and shoal examination between Malekula
and
Port Sandwich.
to
Delayed
by defect in
port main engine pump.
April
Repair effected at Suva after spares
received from New Zealand.
Returned to
survey area on completion.
21st
New
Commanding Officer: Commander PGN Cardno,
RN. appointed and to join in
Singapore to
re-commission ship.
Landed
detached parties in New Hebrides and New
Caledonia
Carried
out ship
and boat soundings with tidal work in Norsup
Bay
and in Erromanga
area
with boat
party in Dillons
Bay.
Deployed
for joint survey work with French Coastal
Mineweeper
LA DUNKERQUOISE at
Port Narevin.
(Note:
This French warship was permanently
stationed in this area.)
May
Deployment for
Fiji Survey continuation of earlier work
by HM Survey Ship COOK.
to
(Note: The
esteem of HMS COOK was found as revered as
ever)
June
Planned tasks at
VANU LEVU completed.
(Note: Farewell
celebrations to thank
villagers living near camp site included
exchange of
gifts
and competitive sports as well as Fijian
style meal.
Tidal Camp
established at Nanduri.
Four Boat
party landed and TELLUROMETER
measurements made across Channel.
Extensive
ship sounding in Vatu Ira Channel and
Mali Passage.
Ship at Malau
for
Queen's Birthday ceremonial at Labasa.
(Note: Whole period affected by
spasmodic winds.
July
Fiji work in continuation.
(Note:
Visitors on final visit to Suva included
Raymond Burr (TV's '
Perry Mason' )
Passage to Singapore during which
position of Petri
Reef near Erronanga,
New Hebrides was
fixed.
(Note:
This had been in
dispute since 1834.
Water
sampling and Shoal examination with
beacons were carried out in Bligh
Water.,
Torres Strait.
Fuelled
at Darwin.
(Note:
Whilst at Darwin met British couple in Trimaran.
Much
hospitality was enjoyed.)
Water
sampling took place during passage to
Singapore
August Deployed
at Singapore and prepared for planned
Oceanographic Exploration work.
(Note:
This included
use of new equipment required for
special acoustic trial and a
Velocimeter
which incorporated a
Temperature/Salinity
Bridge to be streamed
overboard
and an analogue tape recorder unit.)
September Passage
to South China Sea.
Carried out
trials in company with RAN Survey Ship
HMAS DIAMANTINA and an RFA
(Note:
Measurements were made for analysis
after explosive charges were dropped by
consort
at predetermined
intervals and ranges. Core samples and
photographs taken
of
seabed with water temperature and
salinity recorded after each
serial.)
Visited US
Naval Base at Subic Bay and continued
trial during passage to Hong Kong with
swell
conditions due to Typhoon ELSIE.
MAYDAY
signal intercepted from Ore Carrier
AUGUST MOON aground on Patras
Reef
.
Diverted for
rescue of personnel which were airlifted
to safety by US Navy helicopter.
Position of
Wreck fixed. 37 people taken to Hong
Kong.
Resumed
passage to Hong Kong.
26th
Assistant Manager of Great
Southern Steamship Company presented a
Cup to ship in
recognition
of the extent of help provided.
October Taken
in hand for
routine docking at commercial shipyard.
Docked at Kowloon during which leak in
Engine
Room. was repaired.
Advance
party joined.
On
completion took passage to Singapore to
re-commission,
Twelfth
Commission 1966 - 68.
November Commissioned
Commanding
Officer: Commander PGN Cardno,
RN
On
completion of shakedown resumed North
Borneo Survey.
Deployed
for survey of Eastern Approaches to
Victoria Harbour, Labuan
December Borneo
survey in continuation.
Passage
to Singapore for Annual refit.
1 9 6 7
January Under
refit by HM
Dockyard Singapore.
to
Local survey
work in Langkawi
Strait continued by detached party
with some assistance from
February Coastal
Minesweeper
from local Squadron
Local
chart to be printed by Royal Engineers
for provisionally when work completed
.
Detached
two Boat Camp party at Remunia
for soundings work in Johore
Strait
March
Nominated for
Indian Ocean Oceanographic work.
On
completion of dockyard work and trials
first deployed to carry out ship
soundings
:
between
Luna
Island and Tanjong
Punggai.
Indian Ocean work delayed by radar
defect
and engine failure.
Sailed
from Singapore and called at
Penang on passage to first station.
Carried
out Traverses and wave observation work
in position NW of Sinatra.
(Note: These
included Equatorial traverses with
extensive
Bathythermograph
measurements.
April
Paid Official visit to Tanjong
Priok in
Indonesia.
Note:
This was
made despite machinery defect as
situation was politically sensitive.
First
visit by RN ship since end of
KONFRONTASI).
Same
Indonesian Naval Liaison
Officer as during earlier survey (See
above).
ormal and
Hydrographic exchanges made as well
as social events.
Returned
to Singapore on completion of visit for
machinery repairs.
On
arrival Detached party landed to
continue local survey work.
28th Resumed
oceanographic
work with RAS support.
May
Deployed
in Sunda
Strait, Java
Sea and Caspar Strait.
Edntang
Island
Indonesian
Navy Liaison officer embarked during
period at Berakit.
Carried
out Malacca Straits Survey between Pair
Channel Bankand
Bahu Pahat.with
Two
Range
DECCA Slave Stations set up at Batu
Pahat.
(Note:
An extensive task involving ship, survey
boats, floating beacons and detached
shore
parties.
June
Made Local
soundings off Singapore.
Detached
party landed in West Johore
for shore observations.
17th
Visited Royal Malayan Navy
Base at Pintu
Gedong
19th
Resumed
work programme
22nd
On
completion carried out A/S and sweep
examination of Amazon Maru
Shoal
and
Cape
Rachado.
Slave
Station parties and stores collected at
Port Dickson.
July
Carried out
survey of One Fathom Bank Channel
with
Two Range DECCA Stations
resited.
Ship
sounding and observations made
(Note: TELLEUROMETER measurements
unsatisfactory and visual methods used.)
R&R
at Port Swettenham.
Sonar
Sweep of area on completion.
August Transferred
to South China Sea to carry out
oceanographic
traverses
Periodic
oceanographic work carried out at
selected points and shoal examinations.
(Note:
This task was impeded by Typhoon FRAN,
defects and losses of equipment.
Visit
paid to Hong
Kong during which machinery
defects repaired with
assistance from local
contractor.
Last
Annual Inspection carried out and
presentation made to Side Party for
there
support
during 19 years
service on China Station
Resumed
Oceanographic work during passage to
Singapore.
Passage
made via Mindoro Strait to land boat
party at Senporna,
Borneo for completion of
outstanding
work at
Darvel
Bay work.
Traverse
work continued to latitude of Labuan at
meeting point with 1966 work.
September
Deployed to complete
survey work in Malacca Straits
in Cape Rachado
area for
identification
of potential hazards to tanker traffic.
Ship
sounding and Taut Wire measurements made
with Beacons and observations by shore
party.
(Note: Day and night work required.)
October
5th
Sailed
from Singapore for return passage to UK
via Sunda
Strait.
(Note:
Oceanographic Traverses to be made at
Stations in Indian Ocean.)
Carried
out periodic measurements and
collected
supporting data at selected equatorial
Stations.
(Note:
Problems with
VELOCIMETER equipment and a winch
failure introduced delays
as
well as those
due to marginal weather conditions
Support
for fuel replenishment provided by RFA's
GOLD RANGER
and TIDEPOOL.
Shoal
examinations made off Rodrigues,
(Note:
Unscheduled company by Russian ship
VASILI
GOLOVIN).
Called
at Mauritius after brief shoal
examination
nearby.
(Note:
Much
hospitality from RN W/T Station)
November Left
Far East Station and
came under operational commmand
of CinC Western Fleet
Met SAN
Survey Slip NATAL (Ex HM Frigate LOCH
CREE) during passage.
17th
Arrived at Simonstown on
17 November.
(Note:
Contact made with South African Navy
Hydrographer (Captain JC Walters).
Passage
in Atlantic with shoal examination which
established least depth was lower than
charted
28th
Final Drama
After
exercise involving use of ships boats
and liferafts,
propulsion machinery failed to
drive one
propeller. Examination showed starboard
propeller shaft was broken. First
priority
was to secure the loose portion of shaft
together with the attached propeller
so that
the ship
could move ahead in safety at a
reasonable speed.
Several
hours work above and below water was
needed to devise a satisfactory
arrangement.
Wires and chains were used to stop any
movement of the screw which was
lashed by
chains to the A-bracket
.
This extempore
rig was secured to existing
bollards with chain blocks and tackles
and
enable passage
to Freetown to be continued on one
engine.
A
request for cutting equipment to be made
available on arrival was sent so that
the broken
shaft
could be removed.
King
Neptune's 16th attempt to extract due
homage was belated achieved successfully
although
the
proceedings were somewhat overshadowed
by the unknowns which lay
ahead. No
suitable equipment was available at
Freetown and the some of extempore
arrangements
which had been removed
were reinstated by ships Shallow Water
Divers to
allow
final leg of the journey to be made.
The
importance of ensuring to safe arrival
in time for Christmas Leave was the sole
factor
of
importance and on sailing from Sierra
Leone there was less than three weeks
available.
Everything
depended on performance of the one
engine for 3,000 miles.
To
offset some of these circumstances a
bold decision was made to supplement the
available
engine power by using sails.
Three
lugsails
were made from Awnings canvas and
hoisted for a trial period.
Concurrently
work was begun on the manufacture of a
suit of square sails
which would be
required when suitable
winds were available.
The lugsails were hoisted on 11th
December
and the
remainder were used when following winds
were available four days later.
These
additional features made unusual demands
on the ship's company who soon
adjusted
to practices
of earlier seafarers. They became adept
in the
trimming, jibing, lowering and
hoisting
the new accoutrements.
December
Under sail in Atlantic.
17th
Brief rendezvous was made
with HM Assault Ship FEARLESS for
transfer of mail.
Providentially,
a fair proportion of following winds and
careful
husbandry in the Engine
Room
avoided diversion to Devonport.
Despite
poor visibility on arrival in the
Channel progress was maintained.
Sails
were lowered and the Jury foremast
struck before arrival off the Goodwins.
(Note: During an evolution period on 29
October, whilst crossing the Indian
Ocean, a
square
sail
had been rigged on the DECCA mast -
forward thinking at its best,
perhaps
?)
23rd
Homecoming.
Passage
up the Medway to Bull Nose, Chatham was
achieved on the revised date.
The
celebrations included the firing of
finishing gun by Flag Officer Medway,
(Vice Admiral W J Parker, CB, OBE,
DSC)
The
Hydrographer of the Navy (Rear Admiral
G.S. Ritchie, CB, DSC, FRICS) greeted
the
ship to
suitably conclude a long voyage and an
even longer career spent in the service
of
seafarers
of all nations.
L a s t D a y s
HMS DAMPIER Paid Off
at Chatham on 31 January
1968 and reduced to Reserve. Approval was
given for disposal in April and the ship
was later placed
on the Disposal List. She was sold to a
Belgian shipbreaker
and
taken in tow for breaking-up on 17th
January 1969.
