The Dreadnought Project

[jwilliamsnyc]

Greetings,

I was happy to find this forum in the hopes that I might be able to tap on the collective knowledge of this group for what could be rather esoteric queries.

Let me preface query by writing that I am an American author working on my third book project which is on Captain Guybon C.C. Damant and his activities concerning the gold salvage aboard the Laurentic as well diving intelligence operations from sunken U-boats that he led for Blinker Hall during the war. The group that did this work were known in later days as the "Tin-Openers."

My question concerns the "Excellent" and the "Vernon." The former was the gunnery school and the latter the research/training base for torpedoes, mines, and other aspects of anti-submarine warfare. Were these establishments separate organizations both in Portsmouth or were they administered as the same organization? As a secondary question, I am noticing in some of my primary source material that when somebody is at either base they are said to be "aboard the Excellent" or "aboard the Vernon." Is this the correct jargon even though they were stone frigates?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. I have other questions, but I figured I'd break the ice with these.

Take care,

Joe

[tone]

Hi, Joe.

These were separate organizations. Vernon's broader mission encompassed electricity, phone systems, hydrophones and radio in this era.

I will see if Simon is around to offer more.

[jwilliamsnyc]

Thank you so much.

[GPaulC]

As for the 'aboard' that sounds right. I was in the RAuxAF for 6 years , late 90s and into the 2000s. We were always 'informed' before attending tri-service meetings in any Naval Shore Establishment not to step off the well marked paths. To do so would be (have been) a major faux pas and would have been met with a cry of 'Man Overboard'. :roll: that's the Senior Service for you!