In common with the rest of the ship "life" started for the Engineers and Shipwrights on 5th November, 1969,in Devonport. This day came at the end of a hectic period - only some 30 officers and senior rates surviving from the previous commission. In one short day most of the ship's accumulated knowledge walked over the side.
The new boys, however, soon found their way around. The Commissioning went smoothly and M.(E) Gooseman (yes in those far off days they were M.E.s) helped Mrs. Notley cut the cake. This young rating was only slightly older than the ship itself.

After a short spell in Devonport the ship sailed on what the programme called a "shakedown" - to the old hands it was more like a "shake-up". All went well after we had got used to the ship being in the hands of so many youngsters. Having given our wings a flutter the ship returned to Plymouth to enjoy those well known festivals of "Church and Turf", Christmas and the New Year.

Came the New Year and the ship sailed for a short work-up in the Channel areas. The idea was to put a final polish on everyone's knowledge before the long trip out to the Far East. The ship was due to sail from Portsmouth on 27th January but the start was delayed by a mechanical gremlin - the Pompey natives got another night at home.

The lost day was soon made up in the normal Bulwark fashion, a higher speed on passage and the time at Gibraltar reduced to a very short "rabbit" run. Even then one member of the department managed to be brought back by the patrol. The main event of this first leg was the external water wash of all four boilers at sea. From shutting stops on the first two boilers to reporting Full Power available took only Three and a half days. Excellent going by all those concerned. Another event of note was the Crossing of the line. To his shame the Senior Engineer had to admit that he had never been "done" and so he was duly hauled up,and made to answer for his "sins". The day produced a riot of fun, all the younger members of the department having their initial taste of first class naval fun.

Cape Town provided the break we were all looking forward to. This was to be the only stop in the 42 day passage to Singapore. The welcome provided by the people of Cape Town was fantastic. The only problem was the very strong wind that blew right up to the last minute of our stay. This gave hope to those who wanted to stay longer. All the department made friends ashore - one of the younger Engineer Officers has since married the girl he first met at the official cocktail party.

We were soon bashing our way Eastward once again, "Bashing" was the right word as we met the worst weather of the whole commission. Many of the younger members of the department looked green - and some of the older hands! This gale forced us to divert to the Mozambique Channel instead of going on to Mauritius.

After what seemed a lifetime Singapore was reported to be in sight. The first thing we did was to go into dry dock to check both Stern Glands, and the Port Rudder. This one day without air conditioning proved how effective the system really was! The first D.A.M.P was a great success - all those little defects that had plagued Senior, and a host of other items were soon knocked off and the Yard was asking for more work! The routine worked by the ship was ideal. Modified tropical routine got the work done and at the same time gave everyone ample opportunities to see Singapore. Banyans were the order of the day and they were much enjoyed.

All good things have to come to an end and so having wound up the clock-work again, we were back at sea en route for Japan and Expo '70. On the way North the ship called at Hong Kong for a brief visit before sailing on to Kobe, the port of Osaka where Expo '70 was in full swing. Japanese railways proved to be cheap and efficient and soon the exhibition site was dotted with the "men in blue". We all agreed that the Russians had pulled off the best bit of publicity with their pavilion. However, the Australians had done almost as well with their mini-skirted girls. Many coach trips were run to see the sights, the most popular being to see the ancient capital city and the castle of the White Heron. Once again the sea called and we were off to Hong Kong for a drop of self maintenance, the ship arriving on the first of May.

We had been hoping that May Day would be celebrated with fireworks, both real and imaginary, but it passed off very quietly. Little help could be provided for us in the way of shore supplies and so we remained on "auxiliary" all the time. Some of the outside machinery however was given a going over by Taikoo Dockyard - "E" air conditioning plant was made to work properly for the first time in months. So many electrical "rabbits" were brought onboard that the "greenies" found their A.C. supplies were strained to the limit.

One event that saddened the department was the unfortunate death of M.(E) I.P.McGeechan. This cheerful and popular young rating was knocked down by a car as he was making his way home to the ship after a run ashore.

Our fortnight was at an end and so we sailed to Singapore for the second part of our D.A.M.P. - we had to be up to scratch for the big exercise that was coming up, "Bersatu Padu". An enourmous amount of work was completed - one of the most important jobs being listed as a "modification to ships fittings". This was in fact a wheel spanner modified so that it could be used as a letter opener. This was a parting gift for our out-going Commander (E), Commander Baker - in his place we welcomed Commander Short. By the proverbial "close whisker" the mechanical bits and pieces were put back again and off we went to take part in "Bersatu Padu".

After a short sea trip, short by the standards set up in the "Far Flung", the ship arrived at Perth or to be more accurate, Freemantle. This was the nearest we had been to home in all our travels so far. The natives were decidedly friendly, spoke the lingo and were delighted to welcome the boys ashore. All work was forgotten except by that well known Cornishman, Jim Selwood, who stood over his little gang while they repaired the Main Ahead Throttle for the Starboard Engine. Thanks to this fine effort (five days and nights ) we were able to sail on time for Durban.

The last day in July saw the ship entering upon the last "run ashore" before home to "mum". All the Ship's Company suddenly started taking an interest in the working of the "engines" as people woke up to the fact that there was only one more jouney to go. However nothing untoward happened during our stay. The hospitality of the "natives" is to be recommended and once again all members of the Department made the most of the opportunities of hospitality offered.

Perhaps the main event of the visit that had a big effect on our Department was the ending of "the tot" !
The last tot was issued to the ship with much pomp and ceremony and it is of interest that now, only one year later, the tot is talked of no more.

Having kept our fingers crossed, the 4th August arrived and that last "Flash Up" before Guzz was underway.
And so once more, right on time, the ship sailed for home. With the compass pointing North, or nearly so the sleek grey ocean greyhound eased her way homewards. A very brief stop at Gibraltar was made to keep the L.O.A. going as long as possible, and then the final two day sprint to England. We knew that England could not be far away as a cold and wet mist surrounded the ship. At long last, Thursday, 20th August, dawned bright and clear and yet another Devonport ship arrived back alongside at its home port. The jetty was full of wives, girlfriends and children, and the ship was soon overrun.

What remained now? To the "engineers" what is perhaps the most important part of the commission was about to start. This was of course the refit. The "Defect List" had been argued over, pruned and generally hacked around some three months earlier (infact around the swimming pool at Terror!). All that remained was to get the Yard to start. This they did with staggering speed. Almost as we came alongside "they" were onboard. "Where is the Splinge Applicator for the Throubledick please Chief?" Chief if he was quick and could put his new twins down fast enough could stop some vital part of the ship being taken ashore while it was being used to get rid of the amunition, or some other vital operation.

Dry docking soon followed and with it came the advent of the Monsoon Season. With the amount of work going on and the wet weather the ship was very soon dirty. Rumour had it that the "Yard had placed the "Cleanliness Regulations" on the "Thin Volume" shelf. However, all things must one day come to an end and "Terminal" and "Completion" dates passed without too much inconvenience to the Yard. Once again we were off to sea to try out all the machinery. Apart from one or two minor snags (that bent shaft again) all went well

MAIL THE WEBMASTER ON .jack_mchammocklashing@lineone.net