Bl**dy Crabs!
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Bl**dy Crabs!
The crew of a British nuclear submarine faced death in soaring temperatures when its air conditioning failed, it emerged yesterday.
Commanding officer Ryan Ramsey feared members of his 130-strong crew would die during the 2011 incident on HMS Turbulent, which had surfaced in the Indian Ocean.
Equipment began failing in 140F temperatures and men were collapsing. Commander Ramsey ordered the sub to dive and it finally cooled in deep waters.
It emerged that inlet pipes were blocked by crabs and barnacles.
British submarine crew nearly died in Indian Ocean after air-conditioning got clogged | Mail Online
Commanding officer Ryan Ramsey feared members of his 130-strong crew would die during the 2011 incident on HMS Turbulent, which had surfaced in the Indian Ocean.
Equipment began failing in 140F temperatures and men were collapsing. Commander Ramsey ordered the sub to dive and it finally cooled in deep waters.
It emerged that inlet pipes were blocked by crabs and barnacles.
British submarine crew nearly died in Indian Ocean after air-conditioning got clogged | Mail Online
Found this and it seems reasonable.........."A plausible explanation as to why the RN refer to the RAF as 'crabs' goes back to the days of rum, sodomy and the lash (about last week in fact). One of the more unsavoury aspects of the average matelot was his unfortunate habit of contracting pubic lice or "crabs" during his shore leave. The treatment for this condition was to get a chum or shipmate to apply a liberal application of a greasy blue/grey ointment (known affectionately as "crab fat") to the affected area. The proper name for the ointment was Blue Unction.
With the RN's usual powers of wit and sophistication the RAF were thereafter referred to as 'crab fats' (or crabs for short) as their blue/grey uniform was exactly the same colour as the stuff that the filthy little ratings rubbed on their swollen and lice-ravaged goolies."
With the RN's usual powers of wit and sophistication the RAF were thereafter referred to as 'crab fats' (or crabs for short) as their blue/grey uniform was exactly the same colour as the stuff that the filthy little ratings rubbed on their swollen and lice-ravaged goolies."
Last edited by Simplythebeast; 5th Jun 2014 at 21:29. Reason: Corrections
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that the filthy little ratings rubbed on their swollen and lice-ravaged goolies
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
I always thought it was because SAC stood for 'Sideways Ambling Creature'
I was always under the belief that the RAF were known as "Crabs" by the rum, bum and baccy boys, because of the sideways shuffling during the right dress manoeuvre whilst drilling. I since found out though, that they too shuffle in a likewise manner. So, apart from the foregoing, I'm back to square one.
Smudge
Smudge
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or its that in the days of mighty piston engined aircraft the dim witted stick poler couldn't see over the donk - so they had to weave and scuttle sideways, hence crabs.
I know, Lets ask an expert - Beags, how the devil are ye, you were about before the wright brothers - I heard you were checked out by the Montgolfier Brothers
- do you know any other reason why ??
and how are you finding your life in these here modern times with newfangled gadgetry?
and to all the master race who take offence at "dim witted stick poler" I say to you - they sent monkeys into space, but they never let them fix the rocket.......
I know, Lets ask an expert - Beags, how the devil are ye, you were about before the wright brothers - I heard you were checked out by the Montgolfier Brothers
- do you know any other reason why ??and how are you finding your life in these here modern times with newfangled gadgetry?
and to all the master race who take offence at "dim witted stick poler" I say to you - they sent monkeys into space, but they never let them fix the rocket.......
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Trim
Have you considered the possibility that the engineers knew all along exactly what the problem was, yet were unable to find a suitable area of flat water in the middle of the ocean to effect a cleaning operation? You cannot just lob a couple of divers overboard in rough sea.
It aint an aircraft with conveniently available hangars around for repairs.
Have you considered the possibility that the engineers knew all along exactly what the problem was, yet were unable to find a suitable area of flat water in the middle of the ocean to effect a cleaning operation? You cannot just lob a couple of divers overboard in rough sea.
It aint an aircraft with conveniently available hangars around for repairs.
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Got to say none of these explanations are very plausible. Why would one choose a derogatory nickname for a rival service that hinged on admitting ones own grubby habits and poor hygiene?
As for "crab grey" I have been unable to find any reference to the colour being so described...Although I did discover the concept of painting warships in a low-vis scheme was pioneered by the Imperial German Navy -demonstrating again their unsportsmanlike attitude to warfare.
As for "crab grey" I have been unable to find any reference to the colour being so described...Although I did discover the concept of painting warships in a low-vis scheme was pioneered by the Imperial German Navy -demonstrating again their unsportsmanlike attitude to warfare.
Trim
Have you considered the possibility that the engineers knew all along exactly what the problem was, yet were unable to find a suitable area of flat water in the middle of the ocean to effect a cleaning operation? You cannot just lob a couple of divers overboard in rough sea.
Have you considered the possibility that the engineers knew all along exactly what the problem was, yet were unable to find a suitable area of flat water in the middle of the ocean to effect a cleaning operation? You cannot just lob a couple of divers overboard in rough sea.
I should imagine the whole incident to be very frightening, 60 degree heat would be no laughing matter in a confined space.
The decision to dive to cool the boat must have being sphincter tightening moment, not fully knowing the reason for the failures and what other systems may have been effected.
The thing may never have surfaced again.
Crabs huh
The decision to dive to cool the boat must have being sphincter tightening moment, not fully knowing the reason for the failures and what other systems may have been effected.
The thing may never have surfaced again.
Crabs huh
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Showing my ignorance here but crabs and barnacles aren't just floating around in the worlds oceans are they? Surely the sub must have been sitting on the deck somewhere for some time for all these things to make their way into inlets?
Also, crabs and barnacles having been around at least a year or two longer than subs, how come the potential for this to happen wasn't dealt with at the design stage?
Also, crabs and barnacles having been around at least a year or two longer than subs, how come the potential for this to happen wasn't dealt with at the design stage?
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Tashengurt
I depends what time of year everything starts to reproduce in that part of the world...
I keep a Boat in Troon in Yacht Haven all year round, I keep it in good order and the anitfouling gets replaced every 2 years. come about July/August despite best efforts everything starts sticking to the non anifouled bits that are below water. It only takes a couple of days for this to happen.
I'm not sure about antifouling on Subs but I would imagine stuff like water inlets would not be very well protected.
I depends what time of year everything starts to reproduce in that part of the world...
I keep a Boat in Troon in Yacht Haven all year round, I keep it in good order and the anitfouling gets replaced every 2 years. come about July/August despite best efforts everything starts sticking to the non anifouled bits that are below water. It only takes a couple of days for this to happen.
I'm not sure about antifouling on Subs but I would imagine stuff like water inlets would not be very well protected.
Suspicion breeds confidence
I seem to remember it was bad Wardroom practice to refer to the RAF by name, it was usually "Them" or "Crab". You were always professionally courteous and I always enjoyed the time I spent at RAF Stations the last being to Wattisham and wherever JARIC was located. Brampton? Forgotten now. I always found my light blue counterparts extremely professional and I'm sure they had a few choice expressions about the Navy. 
Last edited by Navaleye; 6th Jun 2014 at 12:17. Reason: Confused Binbrook with Wattiisham