British Nuclear Test Veterans Association
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Finally it's Goodbye to a Memorable Old Girl
Sid
Hardwick
Ex HMS Narvik Monte Bello 1952
HMS PLYM was laid down on August 1st 1942 by Smiths Dock Company on the River Tees at Middlesborough and then launched on the following February. She was commissioned on May 3rd 1943. She was one of the large Wartime River class frigates with a standard displacement of 1370 tons, an overall length of 301 and a half feet and a beam of thirty-six and half feet. She had twin screws working off reciprocating engines; with two oil fired three drum boilers and was designed for a speed of 20 knots. This is a thumbnail sketch of the ship, which was designated as the ‘Target Vessel’ for Operation Hurricane, Britain’s first atomic test held at the Monte Bello Islands off the Australian coast.
I had the dubious privilege of spending the last night’s on board her before she was vapourised on October 3rd 1952. We were sent as Narvik’s duty boats crew, to Plym to spend the night and ready to evacuate some of the last remaining personnel, naval and scientific, at 06.30, and transfer them to HMS Narvik. The last three scientists were the arming party and were evacuated by Plym’s own motor boat.
I had assured myself of a good nights sleep by taking my hammock over with me. But I probably slept with my fingers crossed. It was very strange to wander around that ship knowing that everything I saw and touched was going to disappear in a blinding flash in a few hours time. It didn’t seem right somehow.
At 06.00 on D-Day when I stepped out on the upper deck of the Plym, I sensed that something wasn’t quite right, but couldn’t put my finger on it. Suddenly it dawned on me —the Birds. Normally there were numerous birds, but they were missing. Every single one had disappeared warned no doubt by instinct and a sense of survival. It certainly gave a new meaning to the expression ‘Bird Brained’.
When we pulled away from Plym at 06.30, I remember looking back and thinking how lonely and forlorn she looked. It was almost like the feeling you get when you take a dog to the vet to have it put down — then walk away yourself.
The ship’s company still enjoy well attended reunions which proves the affection in which this ship is still held. And I must confess that I still have a soft spot for a memorable lady I spent the night with.