As many of you know, this monthly column is named “Taku Talk” after HMS Taku, the T-class submarine adopted by Spalding during World War II. Much of her fascinating memorabilia can still be viewed today in Ayscoughfee Hall.
Recently, Shipmate Terry Carter contacted me after reading a book that features our famous adopted submarine, and I knew immediately that I had to dedicate this month’s piece to it.
Beyond the Sea
The book is titled Beyond the Sea: A Wren at War by Christian Lamb. For the younger readers who might not know, a “Wren” was the nickname for members of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS). Christian’s book is a brilliant true-life adventure of love and duty in the shadow of WWII, and I strongly recommend it.
One of Christian’s most fascinating experiences involved the legendary “Perishers” course. For the uninitiated, this is an infamous, brutal, month-long training programme used by the Royal Navy to qualify officers for independent submarine command. Widely considered one of the most demanding military leadership tests in the world, it has a notoriously high failure rate that instantly ends the underwater careers of those who don’t measure up.
A Cheeky Challenge at the Dance
Officers from HMS Taku were heavily involved in this very course. When Taku arrived at the HMS Dolphin shore establishment, her officers attended the Perishers training and were subsequently invited to a dance at the Wrens’ quarters in Alverstoke.
During the evening’s entertainment, a few Wrens – confident in what they had learned while supporting the Perishers course – boldly suggested to the officers that they could achieve more torpedo hits on the enemy than the actual crew of HMS Taku!
While the officers had a good laugh at the claim, they weren’t about to let it slide. They huddled together and officially challenged the Wrens to come out to sea on HMS Taku to prove it.
Top Secret Operations in the Solent
As you can imagine, this took a massive amount of organising. Taku’s Commanding Officer, Commander Pitt, agreed to the challenge but had to seek permission from the Admiral at HMS Dolphin. After much deliberation, the Admiral granted permission -on the strict condition that the entire operation be classed as a Top Secret exercise.
Delighted that their bluff had been called, the Wrens arrived at the docks in the pitch black of early morning. They boarded HMS Taku and sailed out into the Solent.
Once underway, they were shown around the cramped vessel and taught the workings of the periscope. The Wrens were particularly amazed by the sheer size of the torpedoes. Soon enough, a Royal Navy target-towing ship arrived in the Solent to start the game.
While the exercise took many forms, it is fair to say that the crew hit the target – and the Wrens hit the target too! If you want to know the full score, you’ll just have to read the book.
True Pioneers
To my knowledge, this marks the very first time that female sailors actually went to sea on a British submarine to take part in a live military exercise.
Well done, ladies. You were truly the unsung pioneers for the female sailors proudly serving on the global stage on today’s modern warships.
Do you have any local wartime memories or connections to HMS Taku? Get in touch!
Rodney Grocock
Vice-Chairman
Spalding Royal Naval Association
rodney@rodneygrocock.co.uk