- Author
- A.N. Other and NHSA Webmaster
- Subjects
- Poetry
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- HMAS Tingira
- Publication
- March 1983 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
The following poem “Detail Action” has been attributed to CPO Fred “Gaity” Crawford, the well known identity of the Boys Training Ship “Tingira”, and this could quite possibly be true. Gaity Crawford loved guns and gunnery, and it is thought that he knocked up this little poem to help his up and coming gunner’s mates learn their trade a little easier.
Guns crew: at the order `ACTION!”
Members remove every fraction
Of obstruction, at the run,
In the working of the gun.
4 upon his knees will drop
And remove the housing stop.
5 and 6 before he trains
Must remove securing-chains.
While the layer, at his station,
Test the gun for elevation.
4 will test for different speeds,
“One” will examine all his leads.
Seeing everything is clear,
Test percussion-firing gear.
No. 2 will open the breech,
See the vent-bit within reach,
See he’s got each implement,
Dons his belt and rimes the vent.
3 will take the tampion out,
And announce it with a shout
Loud enough for “One” to hear.
When he’s finished this short speech
No. 2 will close the breech.
3 will leave the scene of clamour,
Bring back tub and sponging-rammer.
No. 4 will then provide
Telescopes for either side.
He and “One” must gently grip them,
See the carriers clean and ship them,
And to suit the day and hour,
Focus and adjust for power.
Now the sightsetter, he moves
Sights through their eccentric grooves,
To full limits, each direction
Of elevation and deflection.
Then, unto the layer turning,
Reports if pilot lamps are burning.
And, according to his role,
Test instruments with Control.
7 and 8 assisted by
5 and 6 at the supply,
Smartly knock off all the clips,
Open up and rig the whips.
Then provide and lay down flat
Three projectiles on the mat.
(One, of course, must be omitted
Where a loading tray is fitted:
And ’tis needless to say,
One is placed upon the tray.)
6 and 8 with speed and care,
Hoist three charges in the rear:
Leaving one at the supply
Take one each and then stand-by.
Note: the cordite’s proper place is
At the hoist, in Clarkson’s cases.
Now as soon as this is done,
“One”; the captain of the gun,
Looks around on every side
Until he is satisfied:
Then reports without delay
That the gun is cleared away.
This I might say, in addition,
Is the cleared-away position.
Stand At Ease.