Eden
We had shore leave for Eden. The ship officers had warned us to be careful with what we do and say. We were not allowed to take photograph. The place seems lifeless. There was nothing of interest to see or do. As such, I cannot recall how the place looks like as there was nothing impressive to give me a lasting memory.
We had shore leave for Eden. The ship officers had warned us to be careful with what we do and say. We were not allowed to take photograph. The place seems lifeless. There was nothing of interest to see or do. As such, I cannot recall how the place looks like as there was nothing impressive to give me a lasting memory.
The Mission
The ship now received permission to enter the harbour and berth alongside the wharf. So it was another operational job. The ship had to weigh anchor, secure the boats, the gantry ladder and all loose objects. The ship engineers needed at least 4 hours to warm up the engines while the ship gyro compass need a few hours to stabilise to initialise the heading. Many more routines were carried out to secure the ship for sail again. Finally under the guidance of the harbour pilot; the ship was berthed and ready to carry the ‘secret’ cargo. The cargo was a squadron to T33 Thunderbird unused RAF airplanes Singapore had bought for our RSAF. All the loading was carried out at night. The cargo wrapped in canvas was loaded in the tank deck through the hatch on the main deck with heavy cranes.
Goodbye to Eden
The next day, we set sail for Colombo again. I didn’t miss this place but nevertheless was a good experience. So we said goodbye to Eden. We steamed back to Colombo. Training and living on the ship became routine and the excitement had finally worn off.
The ship now received permission to enter the harbour and berth alongside the wharf. So it was another operational job. The ship had to weigh anchor, secure the boats, the gantry ladder and all loose objects. The ship engineers needed at least 4 hours to warm up the engines while the ship gyro compass need a few hours to stabilise to initialise the heading. Many more routines were carried out to secure the ship for sail again. Finally under the guidance of the harbour pilot; the ship was berthed and ready to carry the ‘secret’ cargo. The cargo was a squadron to T33 Thunderbird unused RAF airplanes Singapore had bought for our RSAF. All the loading was carried out at night. The cargo wrapped in canvas was loaded in the tank deck through the hatch on the main deck with heavy cranes.
Goodbye to Eden
The next day, we set sail for Colombo again. I didn’t miss this place but nevertheless was a good experience. So we said goodbye to Eden. We steamed back to Colombo. Training and living on the ship became routine and the excitement had finally worn off.
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