Re: HMS Bulolo
Posted by:
Stuart Davidson
()
Date: January 20, 2008 07:59PM
My mum's uncle was RALPH SYDNEY DAVIES (LT COMMANDER ROYAL NAVY RESERVE)
I have a cartoon type pictue at home of a ship running into a harbour and people laughing and jumping at the side, this relates to an incident on 08/11/1942 at ALGIERS, NORTH AFRICA -
My mum who has now passed away had written the story on the back TO WHICH THIS STORY IS TOLD IN THE PICTURE, it goes along the lines of - RALPH was first officer under Admiral Cunningham on HMS RENOWN and spent time on HMS BULOLO searching for a German battleship GRAF SPEE.
General RYDER (USA) and other members of the Command staff were being taken to the Algiers during the middle east campaign when the ship was dive bombed outside the harbour, unaware that communications between Bridge and Engine Room, RALPH ordered full speed astern, the ship however continued ahead resulting in hitting the quay and taking a lump out of the wall and only surprisingly buckled a plate. Correspondents and cartoonists on board much appreciated the incident, the caqrtoon type picture I have is the result.
RYDER's comments were "Well DAVIES I asked to be put on shore in a hurry but not in a bloody hotel at the same time"
Crowds waiting on dockside thought the incident was for their beneifit and cheered wildly much to the discomfort and embarressment of RALPH. Anybody have any knowledge
I have a cartoon type pictue at home of a ship running into a harbour and people laughing and jumping at the side, this relates to an incident on 08/11/1942 at ALGIERS, NORTH AFRICA -
My mum who has now passed away had written the story on the back TO WHICH THIS STORY IS TOLD IN THE PICTURE, it goes along the lines of - RALPH was first officer under Admiral Cunningham on HMS RENOWN and spent time on HMS BULOLO searching for a German battleship GRAF SPEE.
General RYDER (USA) and other members of the Command staff were being taken to the Algiers during the middle east campaign when the ship was dive bombed outside the harbour, unaware that communications between Bridge and Engine Room, RALPH ordered full speed astern, the ship however continued ahead resulting in hitting the quay and taking a lump out of the wall and only surprisingly buckled a plate. Correspondents and cartoonists on board much appreciated the incident, the caqrtoon type picture I have is the result.
RYDER's comments were "Well DAVIES I asked to be put on shore in a hurry but not in a bloody hotel at the same time"
Crowds waiting on dockside thought the incident was for their beneifit and cheered wildly much to the discomfort and embarressment of RALPH. Anybody have any knowledge