Branch Visit to Belfast - March 2002

What a Good Run Ashore

Friday 1st March 2002 saw 17 members of the Barrow-in-Furness branch of the Submariners Association wearily stir from their middle watch sleep to en-bus at about 0400 to travel North to Stranraer where a ferry was waiting to take us on a fantastic weekend.

The Northern Ireland branch was started in September 2001 with its first meeting of 4 members, and now boasts a membership in the late twenties. We were to be their first visitors.

The crossing was as calm as could be (good news for us undersea creatures) and we were met at the ferry terminus in Belfast by the N.I. branch chairman, Dougie (Paddy) Erskine, who directed us to the Belfast RNA in Great Victoria street. As we arrived there we found our tame coxn. George Hockey walking aimlessly up and down the street trying to find the RNA Club which he had passed at least three times!

After partaking of a little refreshment we were shown to our respective digs, some in an hotel nearby others being put up by various members of the branch. After a wash and brush up we again mustered in the RNA Club resplendent in blazers and ties.

After a few more glasses some of the team departed to watch the 'B' international beween Ireland and Scotland where we found another bar open. After one half of the game, with Ireland obviously going to be run away winners - and because we were 'wimps' - we left to return to the warm atmosphere of the RNA Club. There we reformed our party to full strength (except one stoker who managed to sleep through the evening) for a serious assault on the bar.

The next morning we mustered, guess where, at 1000 and yes the bar was open for the first fix of the day. We were then taken for a guided tour of the City Hall, a very impressive building, and we all had our photograph taken alongside the memorial to L/Sea J. J. Magennis V.C. who was awarded his V.C. on HMS/M XE3 in 1945. As we strolled back in the general direction of the 'RNA', (one or two members detouring into chemists for pain killers), we were introduced to the Crown, the oldest pub in Belfast, where the 'Black Gold' was very palatable. We saw one of the locals with a plate of Irish Stew, which was huge, next time we go over we might get a plate (between us). But as our hosts had arranged eats back at the RNA - before the actual purpose of our visit the N. I. Branch Meeting - we meandered back in that direction passing the most bombed hotel in Belfast.

17 members of the Barrow branch alongside the memorial to L/Sea J.J. Magennis V.C

It was a great pleasure to join the Northern Ireland branch at their meeting where they had two new members arrive. Rum and Poteen changed hands as gifts from either branch, then books one of 100 years of Barrow built submarines and the other about J. J. Magennis V.C. - both had been signed by their respective authors.

The afternoon literally flowed by.

In the evening after yet another buffet, we were poured into taxis and transferred to HMS Caroline. This is the only survivor from the battle of Jutland still afloat. We were welcomed into the senior rates mess, bar open, and then Norman, a member of the N.I. branch (a stoker who had not met Hugh Short for about 40 years and was having a great time) gave us a guided tour. After a good drink - the taxis were very busy and couldn't pick us up for ages - we returned to the RNA for a social evening.

Sunday arrived and we had to be at the ferry for about 1115 so guess what, we met at 1000 at the RNA for the hair of the dog and a farewell tot of good Irish Whisky.

We made many new friends and had an absolutely tremendous time which will be very difficult for us to match when the Northern Ireland branch come over to Barrow.

A trip to Belfast is strongly recommended for any branch with or without your ladies. You will be made extremely welcome in a great atmosphere. Be assured Belfast is a really great city, go on try it.

The ferry crossing to Belfast had been a four pint crossing for some and the journey back was no less liquid. To cap off the weekend we stopped off at the "Stone" a pub off junction 43 on the M6 which just happens to sell the real Navy Rum. Mike Kirk was our guide so it took us a good while to get the few miles from the motorway (Mike is another stoker in our party which included 7 from that branch of the service).

We arrived back in Barrow approximately 64 hour after leaving tired but happy and all in agreement that we had just had one of the best weekends ever and all vowing to return in the not too distant future.

Some of the branch, who could not make this time, will rightly regret what they missed and will I hope make a special effort next time.

Thank you Belfast and thank you to the Northern Ireland Branch of the Submariners Association.

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