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HMS Ulster collision with Caisson, Portsmouth 1970
Submitted by Paul Schorn - Navigator's Yeoman at time
This was in answer to a question I put to Paul, after another ex Ulster
shipmate 1969-71 enquired if I had any information on the collision.
Yes I do remember the day we crashed into dry dock caisson. I was in
wheelhouse with coxswain on wheel, SSD's, I logged all wheel orders from
bridge; part of Navigators Yeoman’s duties entering/leaving harbour,
1970 I cannot remember exact date.
The order was slow
ahead both engines, as we went ahead on
starboard spring, we should have then sprung stern out away from jetty,
then half ahead both engines!
Next thing the wire spring broke and the ship shot ahead towards the dry
dock caisson ahead of us.
In the dry dock was a frigate, all shored up, with men in dry dock doing
repairs on HMS Eskimo, luckily it was one of the old type of dry dock
gates, type you could drive over.
The Ulster crashed into the caisson and severely our damaged bow, The
Seaman rating on bow was thrown off the ship onto caisson, luckily not
into dry dock which was some 40 feet down!
Apparently the ships company on HMS Eskimo abandoned ship and you could
see Matelots running across wooden shores and climbing up dry dock
steps.
Webmasters note: It must be the first time a ships
company have abandoned ship in dry dock
Luckily the Gates held.
The next orders I remember were
Full Astern both engines,
(Delivered in a High Pitched voice); then
Stop both engines, too late we crashed the
stern into the jetty, more damage, big cheer onboard, we could go ashore
again tonight Hurrah.
I cannot remember the name of our Captain other than he was Fleet Air
Arm, he had only joined a few days beforehand, and then he had backed
his Mini car into an uncovered manhole!
A bad omen hey?
After the above incident, we didn't see Captain again, he left next
morning.
We then welcomed on board Captain, ''Gentleman
Jim'' Weatherall, who commanded Ulster till
she paid off.
I still see Vice
Admiral Weatherall, he lives in Bishops
Waltham , he now in his late 70's and still a ''Gentleman''.
I shall try and see him in next few days and ask him about the above
incident, he may have some photos.
Hey wouldn't it be great if he could attend next reunion? Two Skippers
at top table.
Caisson - A floating vessel or watertight structure used as a gate
across the entrance of a dry dock or basin.
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