De - gaussing

[j.sabourn]

As a previous post was on seeking de-gaussing the only further info. I can add via ex. Naval channels was similar to what has already been described by people who rememembered The person spoken to believed all warships still had , also the ships of the the RFA. As regards the likes of the smaller minehunters their hulls were built with non ferrous material and thus came under a different category. And mainly did not require. JS.

[Mark Keever]

During World War Two, the outbound charging range of 1 1/8 miles was off New York City’s Swinburne Island between the net gate South of Fort Wadsworth and buoy 17. This process reduced a ship’s magnetic signature against mines. Once underway, Degaussing systems were secured to take a daily ground test and then re-energized...

[j.sabourn]

Yes Mark , was referring to another query by a member who was asking more about present times . Most on site were on ships with the old world war 11 degaussing system and more or less aware of its reasons and capability’s but were asking about if still existed. The probable answer is an updated version still exists on current warships and ships under naval control such as the RFA but is non existent today for normal merchant vessels . Cheers JS

[Ron B Manderson]

Broclebank Mahout and Markhor had the loop on board in 1969.

Ron the batcave

[j.sabourn]

I don’t know too much about it Ron. Maybe those two ships were built with it in all probability if under the British flag , as the admiralty virtually paid for it, but the practice is believed to have stopped sometime in the sixtys. Not too bad yet as just in to the second beer. When talking to a retired weapons officer R.N. And mentioned navy minehunters he said straight away degaussing was unneccessay as they had fibre glass hulls. Cheers JS.

[John Arton]

A couple of C.P's small white Beaver ships had the gear fitted, they were built in the early 60's and acquired 2nd hand with at least one of them being built in Sweden.
Rgds
J.A.

[Ron B Manderson]

There was a test field in the River forth at Dalgety bay.
In the RNR we would go there to test readings etc .
Late 50's early 60's
Ron the batcave

[Ivan Cloherty]

All the ships I served on in the 50/60' all had their de-gaussing gear on board but some was removed at each quadrennial survey, the only ship that didn't have any was a new build 1959 although she did have extra scantlings under the foc'le head for'd for gun turret support, cold war was still on that at that time. As a supt, I still had to update DEMS held office material for vessels into the 70's

[j.sabourn]

In the 80s Ivan still carried the sealed orders in the safe for in event of war. These were taken off the vessel if going to the wrong ports. Also in the 70s still carried the machines for measuring rotogens by getting someone to breathe in to. The idea was if over a certain reading the person was going to expire in any case and if anyone was required in an exposed position to the outer air , he or them were it. I would of found it hard to keep a straight face in such a case by not telling him , but that was the way it had to be done. Crude but was the only weapon one has or had against radio active fallout or biological attacks. Happy new year and may it never happen. JS

[Ron B Manderson]

In the 80s Ivan still carried the sealed orders in the safe for in event of war. These were taken off the vessel if going to the wrong ports. Also in the 70s still carried the machines for measuring rotogens by getting someone to breathe in to. The idea was if over a certain reading the person was going to expire in any case and if anyone was required in an exposed position to the outer air , he or them were it. I would of found it hard to keep a straight face in such a case by not telling him , but that was the way it had to be done. Crude but was the only weapon one has or had against radio active fallout or biological attacks. Happy new year and may it never happen. JS

On the Markhor I remember the old man showing me the orders . This ship was to proceed to New Zealand if
war broke out . 1968

We also had a ship in Brocks s s Maipura( think that's the one ) that was paid for by Uk war dept. Or so I was told. that it can run on steam alone. Trouble being that the lub oil pumps, they forgot about them . OOP's .


On the point of Rotogens.
While working in post office Telephones I had to test Various ROC posts . All high tec stuff . Down the deep atomic posts deep underground . High grade underground cables to ground level then via wooden poles to the Exchange ., What a load of Rubbish we were all made to believe. And they talk about the spy's . all The ROC chappies down there listening to the loudspeaker going Tick Tick
Ron The batcave