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Topic Started: Mar 20 2012, 05:51 PM (315 Views)
Norm Deplume
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Cassier,
Do you think it a good idea to delete threads to which, there have not been any contributions for the previous six months?
The 'Mornington Crescent' page is getting particularly full with some of the threads not being used for well over six months.

Worth a thought maybe?
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rumbaba
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If something's not used, it just moves down the page. The RBQ thread is on page 3 because nobody posts there, the popular threads are on page 1. I'm not sure I understand why you think it's a problem, Norm?
Edited by rumbaba, Mar 21 2012, 09:30 AM.
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waiting4atickle
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I don't see it as a problem, either - and there are only a couple of threads that haven't been "used for well over six months", one of which is locked.
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Norm Deplume
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As I said, "It's worth a thought"

I appreciate that you have had your think chaps.

I guess that when I was a submariner, everything had a place. There was no room for unecessary baggage and this instilled in me a sense of tidiness which to this day I still maintain.
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Hugh Mosby-Joaquin
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I appreciate a tidy mind, Norm, (I wish I had one!), but the difference between your submarine and this website is that here, nothing realy exists. This is a subarine of infinite size, and will never sink under the weight of its metaphorical baggage.
Moreover, as Rumbaba pointed out, this message-board is the perfect bone-idle person's desk. Whatever is piled up upon it, it never fails to push the pile below into a bottomless hole. That which is most desired sits on top.

Incidentally, when you were loading up a sub prior to going 'on patrol', did you ever take anything that 'might be useful' but its use was not predetermined?
In the film Das Boot', I believe the crew go and get some big timbers they carried for shoring up a leak. This struck me as a surprising commodity to have on board a sub. I bet they have a roll of 'gaffa-tape' these days!
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rumbaba
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I don't know if it's infinite Hugh but I imagine, if space becomes a problem, the oldest stuff will fall off the end.

My wife shares your passion for getting rid of things Norm. She is always trying to tidy my shed and would also take half my clothes to the charity shops if I let her.
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Aware-Adult

Norm Deplume
Mar 21 2012, 02:19 PM
I guess that when I was a submariner...

Gosh Norm deP - <crikey> a submariner. That’s really different, and very interesting to a land-lubber like me.

Two things I can’t imagine doing. 1. Stepping off an aeroplane into nothingness, just air below me; 2. Going underwater by more than a yard. I tried snorkelling once and whilst floating around in an African lake looking at fishes was beautiful I was physically unable to swim downwards <magic>

Tell us a bit about your ‘first time’. Did the excitement and mystery change over time? What can you see and hear? twinklestar



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Norm Deplume
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A A
You do have to have certain qualities to become a member of the deep community, the obvious one is no fear of confined space, then of course, there is insanity, a death-wish and most important of all...a bloody good sense of humour.
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Norm Deplume
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Aware-Adult
Mar 21 2012, 07:23 PM
Norm Deplume
Mar 21 2012, 02:19 PM
I guess that when I was a submariner...

Gosh Norm deP - <crikey> a submariner. That’s really different, and very interesting to a land-lubber like me.

Two things I can’t imagine doing. 1. Stepping off an aeroplane into nothingness, just air below me; 2. Going underwater by more than a yard. I tried snorkelling once and whilst floating around in an African lake looking at fishes was beautiful I was physically unable to swim downwards <magic>

Tell us a bit about your ‘first time’. Did the excitement and mystery change over time? What can you see and hear? twinklestar



AA,
I have no idea whatsoever of the modern day training of wannabee submariners.

In 1950 (Hell's teeth! That's a long time ago.) we did an extensive 3months training course which included all of the things that one would need to qualify as a submariner, this took in the plusses and minuses like how to flush a toilet without getting the contents smack you in the face, how, twenty sailors ate, slept and did the usual things that people do in a mess space measuring 15ftx6ft. We also learnt how to escape should the occasion ever arise and for this, we went through air locks into the bottom of a purpose built 100ft high water tank, holding our breath at the bottom and free floating to the top.
The 1st time I went to sea in a boat...as subs were called... I think the word that describes my feelings best is TREPIDATION. Anyway, I did five years and came out alive and well at the other end, so no complaints.
The only thing that is seen of the outside world when dived, is what the officer of the watch sees through the periscope and that is only to a depth of 32ft. Below that it is 'echo-sounding and the compass' that you steer by. Inside the boat when dived it is very quiet but the turning propellors and sometimes the engine noise from other vessels in audible.
Normal routine was one or two days at sea then return to base but three times a year we excersized with other friendly navies for up to 6 to 8 weeks. Now imagine a diesel/electric submarine at sea for that long, fresh water was very restricted, it's prime use being for the preparation and cooking of food. This left personal hygiene way down on the list of priorities, so much so that I used to take six or seven changes of underwear which I changed into in rotation..the first set to get changed went to the bottom of my locker, then the second set under that and so on until I got back to the first set again and went through the same routine and during a lengthy trip at sea this happened several times.
I always left one clean set back at base awaiting my return.
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Aware-Adult


Excellent, thanks for creating some brilliant images Norm <cheers!> Your ‘…insanity, a death-wish and most important of all...a bloody good sense of humour’ seems to be most essential :'(

I suspect health and safety has taken the excitement and insanity out of submariner training these days <scared>




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Hugh Mosby-Joaquin
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rumbaba
Mar 21 2012, 04:05 PM
I don't know if it's infinite Hugh but I imagine, if space becomes a problem, the oldest stuff will fall off the end.

My wife shares your passion for getting rid of things Norm. She is always trying to tidy my shed and would also take half my clothes to the charity shops if I let her.
Mrs M-J, similarly is a clear up fiend (or fiendess?), and it takes a fair bit of creativity to persude her that, yes, it is wanted, whatever it might be.
That's why I'm building a new workshop, and hopefully I'll have more space for those artefacts.
Ditto, Rumbaba, I'll think I'll incorporate an extension wardrobe department....
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caissier
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Hi folks ..... sorry - been a little pre-occupied lately. I take your point Norm but I'm cautious about chopping about. It might look strange to have some things unused lying about; my inclination generally is to let things be if they aren't doing any harm - like old buildings or other familiar things in the landscape - and they might be revived later. It is possible to hide things though so I'll have a go at that. I wish I could do that with hoarded junk about the home!

I went on a tour of a submarine at Chatham Dockyard awhile ago Norm ..... amazing how everything fitted into the space available and how small the bunks were. I think it was a Cold War era boat ..... Seraph-Class maybe. It was a blooming effort to get through the hatches going down the length of the vessel. It is a shame the Navy has been unsentimental about preserving its old ships.

Nope ...... HMS Ocelot ..........

http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/01/35/45/1354507_7f869044.jpg
Edited by caissier, Mar 22 2012, 07:16 PM.
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Mobson
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caissier
Mar 22 2012, 06:53 PM
Hi folks ..... sorry - been a little pre-occupied lately. I take your point Norm but I'm cautious about chopping about. It might look strange to have some things unused lying about; my inclination generally is to let things be if they aren't doing any harm - like old buildings or other familiar things in the landscape - and they might be revived later. It is possible to hide things though so I'll have a go at that. I wish I could do that with hoarded junk about the home!

I really don't mind if you tinker with Mornington Crescent, but please, please don't delete posts from the other forum threads Caissier; only a moment ago I was searching for something I had written last year which had a pertinent reference to something today....unless of course it is a question of congestion, but I think you already said that is not a problem!
Edited by Mobson, Mar 22 2012, 07:00 PM.
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caissier
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Hi Mobs ..... yes, good point. There were things on Hyperstar's forum I'd like to look up ( :( )
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rumbaba
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I've never been in a submarine. I don't have a phobia as such but I'm not that comfortable in very confined spaces.
Edited by rumbaba, Mar 23 2012, 11:12 AM.
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Norm Deplume
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphion_class_submarine

I was a member of Amphion's crew for most of my service in 'boats'.

Click the link and look at the ship's statistics and imagine the comfort my 60 shipmates and I had.

QM2 eat your heart out.
Edited by Norm Deplume, Mar 23 2012, 03:05 PM.
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Aware-Adult


Mr Deplume - I’ve been reflecting on the deep sea for a few weeks (like you do <laugh> ).

How does the test chamber work? Presumably this has an empty intermediate sealed unit which you step into and the door slams behind you. Then suddenly it floods - <yikes> GOOD GRIEF!!!

Once pressure is stabilized I guess the other door opens and the successful divers bob upwards by 100 feet, whilst holding their breath (assuming they breathed in at 1 atmosphere at the beginning). Bet your eyes and ears hurt with the sudden pressure increase.



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Edited by Aware-Adult, Apr 18 2012, 12:06 PM.
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Norm Deplume
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http://www.britishpathe.com/video/escape-tower


I was in HMS Dolphin when this opened in the early 50s.We did not have the suit in those days, just a pair of trunks and a big guff of air in our lungs. The other refinements that you see on the clip were obviously introduced after I finished my time.
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Aware-Adult


Ah - I see. So you feel the pressure increase during the descent. At least it’s gradual torment :O

My ears used to hurt collecting coins at 8 feet deep (!), cannot imagine going down 100 feet <crikey>

It still seems like a nightmare being forced to hold your breath when gasping to breathe out and in again. Did trainees ever submit to the physiological temptation and drown?




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Norm Deplume
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Aware-Adult
Apr 18 2012, 02:36 PM

Ah - I see. So you feel the pressure increase during the descent. At least it’s gradual torment :O

My ears used to hurt collecting coins at 8 feet deep (!), cannot imagine going down 100 feet <crikey>

It still seems like a nightmare being forced to hold your breath when gasping to breathe out and in again. Did trainees ever submit to the physiological temptation and drown?




I think you mean ASCENT AA.
You purse your lips like whistling and breathe out slowly. The whole thing only took seconds and you bobbed out at the top like a champagne cork out of a bottle. It did not mention in the clip that in case of any problems, there are emergency air lock doors on the way up manned by trained instructors
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Aware-Adult


No, the Pathe footage shows a descent first followed by the trainee leaving go of the cage thing and then popping up like a cork. <whistles>

It looks really exciting, and dangerous <pres>




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