Fearless - Alongside Fountain Lake jetty: 4th July 2002

On Thursday 4th July both Nelita and I had the very good fortune of being invited, along with other former crew, onboard the Fearless, my last ship I served in.

Fearless looks as every big on the outside as I remember her, with the exception of the fo'c'sle being smaller. However, inside the ship I was struck by everything being so much smaller. When in the mob I was 5' 6½" (probably a bit smaller now) and yet the deckheads are only about 6 inches above me. In some places I hit my head going through the screen doors. I never remember it being that small. It was a squeeze to get down the ladders. How on earth these three badge fat stokers got down there I'll never know <g>

One of the "Jenny Wrens" (are the women sailors still called this I wonder?) was talking to me and at first I thought she had a sweet in her mouth until I realised she had one of these studs in her tongue! I said something to the effect "They let you have one of these?" and she shrugged her shoulders just like as if I had asked a three-badgeman if he was allowed to wear an earring.

We were split up into groups and were shown all over the Fearless and allowed to take photographs, as all the classified equipment has now been taken off. Our guide was a woman petty officer who was not only very helpful by taking us where we asked but also it was good to see and hear that the naval warmth of humour is still there. I even had a visit to my old mess where I met a couple of the last remaining radio operators in the navy (as opposed to operator/mechanics).

I had seen more of the ship yesterday than the couple of years I was on her, thirty years ago. Went along the catwalks above the tank deck, both quarterdecks and even down the engine room, none of which I had been before.

We were given hot drinks and were able to purchase some more mementos from the NAAFI, like T-shirts and the Fearless shield, all I might add were half the price you can get these in Civvy Street. Not only that, they were sale prices too as the ship will be paying off shortly. The number of ships company usually is about 550 (not including army or Royal Marines) and now is down to around 400 as people are slowly being drafted off without replacements. Early Autumn she will officially be out of the service for good.

Needless to say I have been exhausted and am still suffering from the after-effects of the visit four days ago, with just about every muscle tingling and in pain - but believe me it was well worth the suffering. Thirty years ago when I joined the Fearless I wouldn't of thought that I would be wanting to visit her, let alone get excited about it. Just shows how much we change over the years.