[Bob Hay]

Fascinating and intriguing stuff Linwood. Thanks for that.

[donald h]

Very interesting, linstock.
The Hebrides certainly had all the necessary doors/hatches for closing down the ship in the event of nuclear fallout, making an airtight citadel similar to that used on warships. She also had a prewetting system around the upper deck for washing off any 'nasties'.
There were 'in/out' compartments (from/to the upper deck) via a washing area which kept sound the airtight integrity of the citadel, again, similar to warships.

regards, Donald

[Satanic Mechanic]

For what its worth - Oban and I am sure it is the Columba

I am 100% sure its not the Clansman - for starters it appears to be operational

[John Rogers]

Keep the Government away from the excellent Oban Whiskey (Water of Life}

John.

[linstock]

Thanks Bob and Donald, it is a fascinating subject isn't it.

You can see read more about the PYTHON concept, including the use of HMY BRITANNIA and RFA ENGADINE as 'ships for PYTHON purposes', in an earlier thread (see link below). As you will realise when you scroll down the thread, newly released evidence has now reduced the number of PYTHON Groups from 5-8 to 4.

FT COCKCHAFER and the 1975 Dorset BW Detection Trials

[donald h]

Thanks linstock. I had been following the other thread as well, until it tailed off.
Most interesting. 'The truth is out there', as the saying goes!

Donald

[chadburn]

There was an interesting discussion on Stephen Fry's Q.I. last night about how they would contact the P.M. (Harold Macmillan) during the "Cold War" if he was out and about in a car. If the Russian's decided to start with the firework's and the P.M. needed to be contacted the people at No10 would have to contact the A.A. Radio Section who would then radio their Patrol Men to look out for the car and then stop it and pass the message to the PM to telephone the appropriate department. Apparently concern was expressed as to what would happen if the P.M. or those who were with did not have the 4p to make the telephone call and this was taken up (in writing) with the G.P.O. who replied (in writing) that the caller aka the PM can ask to reverse the charges.

[linstock]

Originally Posted by chadburn

There was an interesting discussion on Stephen Fry's Q.I. last night about how they would contact the P.M. (Harold Macmillan) during the "Cold War" if he was out and about in a car. If the Russian's decided to start with the firework's and the P.M. needed to be contacted the people at No10 would have to contact the A.A. Radio Section who would then radio their Patrol Men to look out for the car and then stop it and pass the message to the PM to telephone the appropriate department. Apparently concern was expressed as to what would happen if the P.M. or those who were with did not have the 4p to make the telephone call and this was taken up (in writing) with the G.P.O. who replied (in writing) that the caller aka the PM can ask to reverse the charges.

Nice one Chadburn, I've attached the relevant declassified doc - (courtesy of Planning Armageddon: Britain, the United States and the Command of Western Nuclear Forces, 1945-1964)

Have a peek at the top left corner

[victormacmeldrew]

Originally Posted by jennings-at-sea

My father took the picture in 1983, and I assumed it was somewhere on the west coast of Scotland. Unfortunately, the name is not legible. I would very much like to be able to put a name/location to the picture. Thank-you.
I hope the picture's there!

Definitely 'Columba'. Glad she's been preserved, many a happy time taking an excursion from Tobermory to Coll and Tiree and happily got my mother in law at the time violently seasick.

[Alan Rawlinson]

Originally Posted by ray bloomfield

I can vouch for how nice it can be around the west coast of Scotland as I am on a coaster employed in the log trade but I can also vouch for how wild it can get as well.

In another era ( 1960's) we cruised regularly around the West Coast on the railway ferry ' Duke of Lancaster' with passengers which we used to jokingly say - were kept in railway sidings at Crewe - because it was often the same people year on year! As a young officer on the bridge, it was my job to announce the sights over the Tannoy as prescribed by the pilot that we carried. The ' Paps of Jura ' , Ardnamurchan Point, and " Basking sharks on the starboard bow " all spring to mind! We visited all the usual tourist towns e.g. Oban, Tobermoray, Stornaway, Iona, etc and it was always popular. The only thing I remember about the pilot who was an ex Master from the Scottish ferries was that he liked a raw egg in a glass of milk in the morning! Sad really!

The beauty of the islands and the area remains with me.

P.S. I married a girl from the hairdressing salon, and we are in our 47th year of marriage. ( No jokes, please)

[chadburn]

Well found Linstock and thank's, I missed it when you first posted it.