A word of warning though, which nobody here seems to have mentioned yet. On the parade ground there is what resembles, to civvy eyes at least, a small plaque. They have one at the site of the old HMS Ganges which many contributors here did their training in as innocent 15 year olds. (Well some were innocent, the rest just looked innocent.) This plaque is situated just below the Mast. In the Andrew this is called a rivet. In 1976 some civvy contractors started digging round it and in the process broke the top of the rivet off. This special, golden, rivet kept the parade ground rivetted to the Earth's crust. Once loosened all hell broke loose. The parade ground cracked up and a whole cluster of trainees' messes, adjacent to the quarterdeck, slipped into the sea complete with their compliment of sleeping matelots. The Navy Board, in their wisdom, covered what had happened up by claiming they were decommisioning Ganges because of the raising of the school leaving age back in '73 - but this isn't true. The place is still haunted by their ghosts. DON'T, WHATEVER ELSE YOU DO at Raleigh, damage the top of this golden rivet, if indeed you are able to find it (it is well conceiled), or the same thing will happen.
Shakey said:I heard that someone painted a gold rivet in the engine room of the royal yacht for a laugh, dunno if this is true or not, though I was told safeguard.
Geoff_Wessex said:Shakey said:I heard that someone painted a gold rivet in the engine room of the royal yacht for a laugh, dunno if this is true or not, though I was told safeguard.
Tis true - never served on HMY but while RS on the Zulu, 1983, went round with the Yeoman one lunchtime to "borrow some radios" for our upcoming stint as Cowes Guardship. Had a great time in the POs Mess and got shown all over, including the immaculate white and shiny engine room - complete with a gold-painted rivet on a hull plate. Mind you, they were all shirtlifters on the Yacht. Can i say that?
NozzyNozzer said:Geoff_Wessex said:Shakey said:I heard that someone painted a gold rivet in the engine room of the royal yacht for a laugh, dunno if this is true or not, though I was told safeguard.
Tis true - never served on HMY but while RS on the Zulu, 1983, went round with the Yeoman one lunchtime to "borrow some radios" for our upcoming stint as Cowes Guardship. Had a great time in the POs Mess and got shown all over, including the immaculate white and shiny engine room - complete with a gold-painted rivet on a hull plate. Mind you, they were all shirtlifters on the Yacht. Can i say that?
Brownhatters... shirtlifters..? Here you can get away with it Geoff. Just out of interest, how did you find out? :wink: :lol: Was it fun?
Shakey said:I heard that someone painted a gold rivet in the engine room of the royal yacht for a laugh, dunno if this is true or not, though I was told safeguard.
janner said:GW has been transported to the Colonies for some aspect of his behaviour, it may be a while before we hear His answer 8O 8O 8O
Nemo said:What a fine question.......can't wait for the answer.
Geoff_Wessex said:Shakey said:I heard that someone painted a gold rivet in the engine room of the royal yacht for a laugh, dunno if this is true or not, though I was told safeguard.
Tis true - never served on HMY but while RS on the Zulu, 1983, went round with the Yeoman one lunchtime to "borrow some radios" for our upcoming stint as Cowes Guardship. Had a great time in the POs Mess and got shown all over, including the immaculate white and shiny engine room - complete with a gold-painted rivet on a hull plate. Mind you, they were all shirtlifters on the Yacht. Can i say that?
Fletch said:The Golden Rivet story IS true though. A certain member of the Royal Family heard the legend and wanted to see it so one was gold leafed with the same gold leaf that was used for the gold line around the hull !!.