Maritime History > Harbours and Dockyards

Chatham Dockyard Navy Days

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Smiffy:
Lived in Chatham, dad and brother both in the RN, but I can't remember ever going to a Navy day!

KeithG:
I can remember being at Chatham Navy Day's when I was only about 6yrs in 1954.......went in the submarine and on my Dad' shoulders, remember it was fun ducking down.
There were some torpedo like things also in the basins shooting up and down in the water never did know what they were?

grandarog:
The "Navy Days " at Charham Dockyard carried on for quite a few years after the War. Can remember going 2 or 3 times before I was about 12. Loved the Banks of 4 PomPom's firing at the Aircraft flying over.Also remember clambouring up and down the ladders on board and seeing the engines and inside the big gun turrets.Never went in the Submarine . But went inboard on HMS Seraph much later when I was in the RAF and she was being used as a Padded target for our Practice depth Charges dropped from Shackletons.

Dave Smith:
Before WW2, every year, "The Yard", as it was known, had a week-end open to the public. There were always many ships & submarines on display that the public were allowed to tour. I well remember going below in a sub. in one of the basins. All the way from conning tower to forward torpedo tubes, as a young lad,probably 1938, it was the 2nd highlight, The first was when an aircraft-biplane I'm sure- flew over & the observer in the back seat leaned over & dropped bags of flour onto a sloop that was firing anti aircraft guns at it from one of the basins. I think 1/2 the Medway Towns turned out- very popular!

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