The Vietnam Era

Peter Weyling · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 11:57 am

Too true, it is too late!!

Mick Hamilton · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 12:55 pm

PK, thanks.

I'm a little shocked. George and I were good mates at Nirimba and when I was once posted to Cerberus. We played RU together and kinda backed each other up. When I got outnumbered or outclassed in a rumble, big George would step in and sort it all out. He was not a bad second row forward (now known as lock, which I despise). I was informed that he had something to do with the hull surveys of the Kanimbla and Manoora and our great and powerful friends across the big lake did the "shell and pea trick on him" and we got not what was inspected. You chippy and tiffie types may shed light on this matter and if it is true or not. When did George cross the bar?

I think Nick H was at the seminar. Also, who was the last CO of Nirimba? Whoever he was (sat behind me) he was very vocal. He stated that the CNS at the time (name escapes me) was very anti Nirimba and ordered him to shut the place down. He asked "by when and how". The CNS response was right away and move Nirimba to Cerberus, so that's what he and his team did. Holthouse was mentioned several times from the audience in less than positive terms and one ex-Mobi who shall remain nameless made a rather uncouth remark which drew a agreeing smile from Chris Barrie sitting next to the last Nirimba CO.

I hope I have given you blokes a reasonably accurate summary of the proceedings. When the papers are released we will know to what extent. The Q&A after the presentations was the best part as RAN retirees have little regard for previous rank and have a tendency to say what they mean without fear of repercussions.

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 3:24 pm

Seejay wrote:

A very interesting post, Mick. Quite enlightening too. :ok:

Amazing that so many star ranks lament, but none correct the mistake. :-k

Or voice it in a much broader forum......................

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 3:32 pm

Mick Hamilton wrote:

PK, thanks.

I'm a little shocked. George and I were good mates at Nirimba and when I was once posted to Cerberus. We played RU together and kinda backed each other up. When I got outnumbered or outclassed in a rumble, big George would step in and sort it all out. He was not a bad second row forward (now known as lock, which I despise). I was informed that he had something to do with the hull surveys of the Kanimbla and Manoora and our great and powerful friends across the big lake did the "shell and pea trick on him" and we got not what was inspected. You chippy and tiffie types may shed light on this matter and if it is true or not. When did George cross the bar?

I think Nick H was at the seminar. Also, who was the last CO of Nirimba? Whoever he was (sat behind me) he was very vocal. He stated that the CNS at the time (name escapes me) was very anti Nirimba and ordered him to shut the place down. He asked "by when and how". The CNS response was right away and move Nirimba to Cerberus, so that's what he and his team did. Holthouse was mentioned several times from the audience in less than positive terms and one ex-Mobi who shall remain nameless made a rather uncouth remark which drew a agreeing smile from Chris Barrie sitting next to the last Nirimba CO.

I hope I have given you blokes a reasonably accurate summary of the proceedings. When the papers are released we will know to what extent. The Q&A after the presentations was the best part as RAN retirees have little regard for previous rank and have a tendency to say what they mean without fear of repercussions.

"Very vocal" :omg:

Took 24 years to get a spine..............................................

Stroppy Chippie · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 3:41 pm

The last CO was Geoff Cole however I believe that they made CMDR Quinn (RN Supply Officer) the last day as a tradition covering service and rank commissioning and decommissioning.

piquet · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 3:50 pm

I believe it was in the late 1980's early 1990's. He left Cerberus after I did which was in 88 and I believe that he went to Albatross where he was diagnosed with cancer and died fairly shortly after his diagnosis. Aparently he rang his wife, Jean, to say come and pick me up when he was half way round a golf game. He couldn't finish the round. I only heard quite a while afterwards as I had DEE and heard it from a guy named Dave Grey who was working at GOSI vic at the time I met dave on a building site and he told me. It was a hell of a fright. So it would be at least 25 years agon now.

Mick Hamilton · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 4:44 pm

Thanks PK.

Seejay · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 6:57 pm

Mick, I believe it was John Carlin who flew over to the US and selected the 2 piles of rubbish that eventually became Manoora & Kanimbla. And then paid off on return, leaving the mess to be cleaned up by later people.

And CNS at the time was McDougall. Fantastic XO on Hobart, but the lapdog of the ALP razor gang that flew into defence at the time - as they always do.

McDougall was ably assisted by Holthouse and Beaumont in the hatchet job, and sacrificed Nirimba to save Cerberus when they were told we could only have 1 sailor's training depot.

And now they reap the negative rewards without knowing what they lost.

piquet · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 7:21 pm

George was on Sydney when I posted on after finally passing out from Nirimba. Then we saw each other when he was at FHQ at one stage at the time I was posted to Stuart. Tthe next time we met was on my 4's course in 1985 and then the next thing he was posted to Cerberus as the OIC maintenance /shipwright / Engineering workshop.

When I left Cerberus he was still there. I think he picked up a half ring and went to Albatross.
Others here may have more info
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.

piquet · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2015 7:26 pm

I think Henry Schubert was involved with the Hull Surveys of the two Yank rust buckets when they hit our shores.
I think he was also involved with Austarlian Trader/Jervis bay luckily for all of us it was in a bit better shape than the yank things.

I can imagine that the surveys would have been extensive, thorough and to the point. Not what the Fleet staff and the turkeys in Canberra wanted to read.

The Vietnam Era

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