I received the below photos and story from boatswain, Jim Sherret, of the Canadian Navy cadets from the late 60’s to the early 70’s. I quite like the Christmas lights photo.

USS Rhea; Port Stanley

USS Rhea; Port Stanley

USS Rhea; Port Stanley

USS Rhea; Port Stanley

Between the fall of 1967 and Feb 1971, when I joined the Canadian Navy I was one of the engine room Cadets in my last two years, who monitored the engines and generators when we were at sea—two 8-cylinder, flat head, diesel engines. In the generator room, there were two generators—a 671 and a 371 Diesel. I also remember practicing an emergency propulsion trial (in case both engines were disabled) where there was a small shaft that was put through the bulkhead, between the engine and generator room, and hooked the port engine up to the 671 generator, with emergency steering using two two-fold purchases on the AX. Oh, that was the life. LOL! And when we went to the slips after almost sinking, I was one of the cadets on my back underneath, caulking the ol’ girl with tarred hemp (I think—could be wrong) and a caulking hammer and caulking tool.

  • The captain was Tommy Raymond
  • One of the ship’s officers worked in the liquor store in Port Stanley
  • One of the engineers worked for GM Diesel in London
  • Bruce Lumley was the coxswain

Jim Sherret
P2 Boatswain, retired