The BUF Escort Carrier, the Charles A. Lindbergh, was the first to fall astern, swiftly followed by the largest BUF troopship, the Fritz J. Kuhn. Both reported mysterious engine problems leading to a significant loss of power, and an inability to keep up with the swiftly moving Bristol Fleet.
On the bridge of HMS Woolworth, Admiral Silverflint could not conceal his frustration."Tarnation Sinkin! There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today!" [note1]
Captain Sinkin wished he was back in the Personnel Department (Filing) of the Admiralty. Here he was in charge of the largest battleship in the Bristol Fleet, tasked with the first amphibious landing of the Civil War, and the closely packed convoy was losing way as more and more ships shuddered to a halt.
"The Joseph P. Kennedy reporting that she has to fall out of company, sir. Engine problems, same as all the rest of the BUF ships. Seems that her engines are full of, well, of liquidised caramel, sir." The smart midshipman had the grace to look somewhat embarrassed. "Sugar in the diesel tanks, sir. Must have been the Bristol dockers....."
"All ahead slow, then. Let's see if we can take at least one of them in tow. Signal HMS Argus to assist the Charles A. Lindbergh."
"I think you'd better look at this, sir. Just in." The midshipman handed over an Admiralty flimsy to Admiral Silverflint.
RED INVERGORDON REPORTED SLIPPED HAWSES AT LIVERPOOL. PASSED BIRKENHEAD HEADING TOWARDS OPEN SEA THIS MORNING. DESTINATION AND HEADING UNKNOWN.
"Good grief! A Communist carrier at sea!" Admiral Silverflint practically danced a hornpipe with excitement. "If they're heading south, they'll be almost upon us already! And if north, our duty is to give chase! Detail a couple of the destroyers to help the BUF ships, Sinkin, call of the Newquay raid for the moment, and let's see what we can really do!" [note2]
The Hunt for Red Invergordon was on.......[note3]
Notes
[1]. echoing, consciously or otherwise, the reported words of Admiral Beatty at the Battle of Jutland.
[2]. due to the coronovirus situation and recent Government advice, all those who had put their names forward to play in the Spring Big Game 2020, to be held on Saturday 21st March, agreed reluctantly but unanimously to call off the event. Thanks to Giles for arranging the cancellation with the Burley Gate Village Hall Committee. The "Assault on Newquay" will return on a date to be announced....
[3]. The "Hunt for Red Invergordon" is one of the lesser known incidents of the VBCW. This may be by reason of the wily navigation (or even thick Scottish accent) of the Communist naval leader, Captain Commissar Connery.
Captain Sinkin wished he was back in the Personnel Department (Filing) of the Admiralty. Here he was in charge of the largest battleship in the Bristol Fleet, tasked with the first amphibious landing of the Civil War, and the closely packed convoy was losing way as more and more ships shuddered to a halt.
"The Joseph P. Kennedy reporting that she has to fall out of company, sir. Engine problems, same as all the rest of the BUF ships. Seems that her engines are full of, well, of liquidised caramel, sir." The smart midshipman had the grace to look somewhat embarrassed. "Sugar in the diesel tanks, sir. Must have been the Bristol dockers....."
"All ahead slow, then. Let's see if we can take at least one of them in tow. Signal HMS Argus to assist the Charles A. Lindbergh."
"I think you'd better look at this, sir. Just in." The midshipman handed over an Admiralty flimsy to Admiral Silverflint.
RED INVERGORDON REPORTED SLIPPED HAWSES AT LIVERPOOL. PASSED BIRKENHEAD HEADING TOWARDS OPEN SEA THIS MORNING. DESTINATION AND HEADING UNKNOWN.
"Good grief! A Communist carrier at sea!" Admiral Silverflint practically danced a hornpipe with excitement. "If they're heading south, they'll be almost upon us already! And if north, our duty is to give chase! Detail a couple of the destroyers to help the BUF ships, Sinkin, call of the Newquay raid for the moment, and let's see what we can really do!" [note2]
The Hunt for Red Invergordon was on.......[note3]
Notes
[1]. echoing, consciously or otherwise, the reported words of Admiral Beatty at the Battle of Jutland.
[2]. due to the coronovirus situation and recent Government advice, all those who had put their names forward to play in the Spring Big Game 2020, to be held on Saturday 21st March, agreed reluctantly but unanimously to call off the event. Thanks to Giles for arranging the cancellation with the Burley Gate Village Hall Committee. The "Assault on Newquay" will return on a date to be announced....
[3]. The "Hunt for Red Invergordon" is one of the lesser known incidents of the VBCW. This may be by reason of the wily navigation (or even thick Scottish accent) of the Communist naval leader, Captain Commissar Connery.
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| A contemporary propaganda poster of Captain Commissar Connery, commander of Red Invergordon (attributed - Liverpool Scottish School of Soviet Realism) |
Should be a interesting hunt.
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