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View Full Version : The Vung Tao Ferry

TarJak
09-15-13, 07:57 AM
Nice news reel vid of HMAS Sydney enroute to Vung Tao in Vietnam in 1969. During this period Sydney was used for troop transport and officer training.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8u_aIWYqrA

Really enjoyed watching this.
Jimbuna
09-15-13, 08:15 AM
Nice one...I've worked on the RFA Tidepool :cool:
Sailor Steve
09-15-13, 10:07 AM
I've been to Vung Tau. Had a fun exchange with the Riverines there. :sunny:
TarJak
09-15-13, 04:41 PM
Nice one...I've worked on the RFA Tidepool :cool:
Cool. What job did you do? Did it have anything to do with peeling spuds?

I've been to Vung Tau. Had a fun exchange with the Riverines there. :sunny:

Cmon Steve you're leaving us hanging...
Sailor Steve
09-15-13, 04:50 PM
Cmon Steve you're leaving us hanging...
What? It wasn't anything special. When our destroyer dropped anchor the PBRs swarmed around us like bees around a hive. That was my observation then. The skippers of each boat came aboard. It seems that they had little mini-fridges on the boats, but nothing more than that. On the other hand, unlike the "real" navy they were allowed a beer ration. So they came aboard offering a six-pack in exchange for a glass of water with ice in it. Our officers of course said the beer was a no-no, but all the riverines were invited to come take some ice from our big ice machine. The thing looked something like this (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bluestone-Appliance-460-lb-Commercial-Ice-Maker-with-Bin-BCIM460-B430S/202676427), and that was the only time I ever saw it empty. Those guys hadn't seen any ice in months, and according to them it was what they missed the most. :sunny:
TarJak
09-15-13, 09:20 PM
I imagine ice was in short supply on the rivers of Vietnam. :up: It's amazing the stuff you miss when you can't get it.
Jimbuna
09-16-13, 05:36 AM
Cool. What job did you do? Did it have anything to do with peeling spuds?



She was on the River Tyne mid 70's for repairs and I was serving my apprenticeship in the local shiprepair yard as a Marine Fitter.
TarJak
09-16-13, 08:57 AM
She was on the River Tyne mid 70's for repairs and I was serving my apprenticeship in the local shiprepair yard as a Marine Fitter.
So you really were peeling spuds.

You know why they call cooks in the navy fitters and turners?

Because the take food fit it in a pot and turn it into Something Highly Inedible To humans.:O: