On the June 27th.1939, with twenty-seven other boys, I stood on the Devonport dockside and stared up at the 22000ton H.M.S. Courageous, my new home. Originally laid down as a battlecruiser in May 1915, but later along with H.M.S. Furious and H.M.S .Glorious she was converted into an aircraft carrier. In the navy they were jokingly referred to as 'Outrageous', 'Spurious' and 'Uproarious'. As a battle cruiser, Courageous was famous for holding the 'blue riband' for an Atlantic crossing in 32-33 knots, a record that remained unbroken for 30 years. The rebuilding of 'Courageous' to carry 48 Fairy Swordfish planes was completed on May 5th 1928, at a cost of over two million pounds. But when I joined her, she had been relegated to the Reserve Fleet. Now, with the increasing uncertainty and threats of danger from across the Channel, she was being prepared as quickly as possible for a positive wartime role. The motto of the gunnery school 'Si vis pacem para bellum' [If you desire peace, prepare for war] was to be the Government's policy in these troubled times. Anxious to get on board I struggled and grunted up the sloping gangway with my hammock and kit bag. After giving my name and number to the Quartermaster I was shown the way to the Regulating Office to get a Station Card. The formalities completed I set off with the others to find the Boy's Mess.

 

 The first few days were pleasantly chaotic, there was so much to discover. Between decks the carrier was a labyrinth of endless steel passageways and compartments, some running fore and aft and others going athwartships. The smell of warm paint, the constant hum of electric motors and the noise of the air-conditioning was to be an integral part of my new environment. There was a non-stop flow of people busily going about their business with a sense of urgency. Commanders, Lieutenants, Chief Petty Officers, Artificers, Shipwrights, Supply Officers, Gunners, Torpedomen, Engineering Officers, Surgeons, Signalmen, and many more who contributed to the working of the ship. A large number of naval reservists and pensioners joined the ship at the same time. They were a happy chattering bunch, most of them pleased to be going to sea again for what they assumed was a temporary escape from their civilian routine. Their ribald remarks and general cheerfulness made their expectations clear as they went about their work, unsuspecting that sooner rather than later they would be enmeshed in a bloody conflict. Hundreds of them were never to return home to their families, they were destined for a watery grave in the Atlantic Ocean.

 

 During my time at 'Ganges' I won the Class Seamanship prize and the Class School prize and came second in the Gunnery examinations as well as being a Leading Boy. My previous good record might have been instrumental to me getting a 'perk' job on the Captain's staff, albeit in the very minor role as his messenger. The most important part of the work was to accurately convey his verbal messages to other officers. It was also essential to know where things were, like his telescope, when he wanted them in a hurry. In my own interest I learnt to forget any comments and snippets of conversation I overheard, especially on the bridge. When rumours were 'buzzing' around the ship, I was an obvious target to be waylaid in the mess and quizzed if I had heard anything. It was assumed that I eavesdropped on the Captain's smalltalk, which I did whenever possible but never admitted it.

'Working up' a newly commissioned ship is a difficult thing to do at the best of times, with a carrier there is the added problems relating to aircraft. Although 'Courageous' was presently without planes there was still a lot of preparation to be done before the ship could head for the open sea. When the ammunition and other highly inflammable substances were embarked it was a good sign that we were getting ready to cast off. One day a timetable appeared on the notice board that finally set our minds at rest; we were to leave port the next day. Right on schedule, the Bosun's Call [Pipe] shrilled for 'Special Sea Dutymen' to close up. Next came the order for "Both Watches of the Hands" to muster. Divisional Officers and their Petty Officers scuttled around like scalded cocks barking orders, making sure their part of the ship was above reproach and fully prepared for sea. All moveable gear and boats were made fast, watertight doors, hatches and scuttles closed and secured. Main engines, communications and electrical circuits were tested and reported ready. It was an anxious time with so much that could go wrong with a newly commissioned crew. The ultimate responsibility rested with the Captain but to me he seemed the calmest on the bridge. As 'Courageous' burst into life the big propellers churned up the oily seawater into boiling foam. It was the cue for an endless stream of orders. "Cast off", "Let go" Springs, Braces, Head Rope, Stern Rope, Breast Rope, "Look lively with that Manila, Grass, Sisal and Hemp". Standing at the rear of the Compass Platform I wondered if everyone really knew what they were supposed to do. Then, "All gone Forrard", "All gone Aft", "Very well No.1", slow ahead starboard, slow ahead port, slow ahead together. Signal halyards ran up flags to flutter in the breeze conveying a message to someone.

 

 The big ship eased her way out into the Hamoaze to be conned down the river Tamar. Passing Plymouth Hoe I could see groups of interested spectators watching and waving as the ship slowly turned inside the Breakwater. With all navigational checks completed, 'Courageous' put out to sea. It was a milestone in my young life, at long last I was a seagoing sailor, although at sixteen years of age a very junior one. As the coastline disappeared astern the Duty Watch took over and the rest of the crew stood down. It was time for me to get my 'sea-legs'. The wind off shore created a sizeable swell causing the carrier to pitch and wallow in a drunken roll. Dipping down lazily into a trough, she stayed for what seemed an eternity before easing herself out again like a giant whale. Walking through the long corridors between decks took some getting used to. One minute it was an uphill plod, before changing to a downhill gallop. The long drawn out seesawing effect was something I never experienced again on another ship, not even in a typhoon. It had the effect of bringing my stomach up into my mouth.

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HMS Courageous

HMS Courageous June-September 1939 from the book “Taking the King’s Shilling” by John Cannon