The Submariners – Down Under
In 1984, between May and November, I was stationed at HMAS
Penguin (with Rocket Revell, a Fijian and 2 Macca’s.,) the RAN’s Training facility
and Base Hospital, undertaking my SR1’s course.
Penguin was in the middle of Sydney’s affluent district.
All of us were billeted on the 3rd floor of the WRAN’s
quarters with Aussie Submariner killicks (their ashore accommodation)
I thought I knew how to get pissed, but these guys were
animals. Every morning rounds were conducted,
and our cabins were checked by the rounds party turned a blind eye to the state
of those subby’s even if they were flaked out in their doorway.
One killick was a classic subby, work hard work under Play like
no tomorrow. Otto Fritz was a short
stubby fellow and noticeably quiet. It
was like he valued his own insanity. One
night I managed to snare him in the Junior Sailors bar, and he was soft
spoken. I asked him what he does when
the Sub ties up. He said him and another
Subby mate always packed their swag and did a trip from Sydney, head north via
the outback (pubs) and across to Brizzy.
I cannot remember how much cash he had (nothing to spend it on
Deployment) but they planned to use it all.
Three weeks, and they plan to not dhobi until getting to a posh hotel Brizzy. They have bets to see which hotels would accept
them!!
Post your Submarine Runs
Subs I have been on.
Pintado
Arizona
Phoenix
Otway
BTW our Navy Divers were stationed and trained for their one's course. Ask them about to duck walk up a very steep Mossman street (name slips me).
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