First ship to follow
Hr Ms Karel Doorman - R81 - PADA
September 1967 the end of the first course at NAVGIS. With a few other colleagues our station would be the destroyer Hr Ms Limburg that was some where at the Atlantic in that time. Our transport to the destroyer was the Hr Ms Karel Doorman laying in Den Helder harbour and due to leave to join the destroyers squadron.
We would stay about 4 days aboard the carrier. I have mixed feelings with this ship.....! During those four days I had nothing to do, was not asked to do something so I felt myself like a passenger. On her way to Biscay there were no flight operations, so nothing to watch. Not quit true....... in the evening you could watch a movie in a large hangar together with 1000 other people...LOL!
At night I couldn't find the place where I was supposed to sleep, was lost many times or was send back due to traffic regulations. I didn't know yet that you should go fore wards at starboards side and back at port side when this was announced. Besides, once below deck I could not get my bearings.
We had the impression that the operator at the announcement system had the most intensifying job of all people. Via this system was told where you should not be or walk, where this warning was lifted, where not to smoke and where this was lifted. Apparently they missed each other very often for a lot of people were called over the system to report some where.
Much later I talked to people who had been sailing for a long time on the carrier. A pilot who was stationed on her with his squadron told me that it was the most exciting moment in his navy career. A RAPP colleague felt very much depressed when he was replaced to another vessel after two and a half year of service on the carrier.
This happens often when you have to leave after a long time aboard a vessel. In due time you get accustomed to almost everything and when I had to stay longer on the carrier I might have find it a joy.
About one and a half year later aboard the Hr Ms Limburg in Gibraltar I had to see a dentist aboard the carrier that was there too. As the dentist started the treatment a power fail hit part of the ship including the dentist compartment. It took almost one hour before all was re-established.
The dentist said a few things in clear seaman's language......... added by: This is not the first time this week! Anyway, I am glad I was never stationed on that fat carrier...........-:)
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