In the 1950s, the naval section of the school CCF was run by the English master (Robert Edwards) because he had been in the Royal Navy Reserves. He often arranged unusual and/or exciting annual corps camps which stretched - and occasionally frightened - the cadets’ experience of naval life. Among other things I recall time aboard an aircraft carrier at Portsmouth, flying in helicopters from a naval air station, and navigating an Admiralty owned fishing vessel on an eventful voyage from Plymouth to Paris via the English Channel and the river Seine … and back!

In this article I want to recall the occasion in 1955 when we travelled to the naval base at Portland and were allocated to a mess in the depot ship HMS MAIDSTONE. One morning we were taken aboard the submarine HMS SIDON because the boat was about to take a day’s training and diving exercise in the Channel, and we could share that experience without adversely affecting the boat’s operations. We cadets were directed to the torpedo compartment where we were probably given a lecture or two about safety and told to keep quiet.

Then it was out to the English Channel where we had an uncomfortable time sailing surfaced through a significant diagonal swell. Many of us were ‘ill’, and I recall being given a bucket containing food waste and diesel ‘gravy’. Not good! It was bliss when the boat submerged and seemingly became rock-steady. Then, after some hours we surfaced and returned in a calmer sea to Portland.

Some weeks after our visit there was an accident in SIDON while the boat was loading unarmed experimental high test peroxide fuelled torpedoes. Twelve crew were killed along with the doctor from the depot ship. That experience remained with me when I worked on submarine propulsion with Rolls-Royce, but I never forgot that tragedy.

More recently I moved to Dorset and I was able to visit the SIDON memorial stone on Portland. It was an emotional experience to read the names of the thirteen that died and to realise that I probably met some of them in the torpedo compartment. It was a privilege to meet their friends and relatives at the 70th anniversary memorial service on Monday 16 June 2025. 

Submitted by  John Moorby