HMCS Lanark Tales

My experience on HMCS Lanark was totally different from that on the Tribals. Lanark was originally a WW2 River-Class Frigate, then converted to a Prestonian-Class Frigate in 1956. She was far different from the Huron and the Haida. Notably, she had a steam reciprocating engine, as opposed to the steam turbines on the Tribals. Most surprising was that the engine internals were totally open to view. You could see the pistons operating and turning the visible propellor shaft. I was shocked when I was told that a piston maintenance temperature test was regularly required which was to let the top end of the piston head brush against your fingers as it operated, to ensure it was warm, not hot. It seemed to me that performing this test on a piston weighing a thousand pounds spinning like all get-out was a joke, but it wasn't.

I was also pleasantly surprised that on Lanark I would now have a single bed to sleep on – hammock days were over. Further, I only had several bunk roommates, not dozens. There was a large spacious cafeteria and the food was better. We had chairs and proper tables to eat on which had rubber slide-proof covers. No food on the floor in heavy seas. We didn't have to wash dishes by hand, we had a cafeteria dishwasher. I thought I had been transferred to the Queen Mary.

On Lanark our sea travels were less than on the Tribals and I spent more time ashore in Halifax. More time ashore with my new mates. A huge change occurred due to that. A mate and I were offered such a great deal on a used car, that we couldn't resist. Walking around Halifax, was usually in the rain and our destinations ashore were a good hike walking. The deal was we would get a 1953 Vanguard Sedan in good working order, plus a 1951 model for parts. The total cost was decent: $150.00.

We were soon doing our leisure rounds to the Halifax dancehalls (the Seagull Club, Carpenters Hall and the Olympic Gardens) in style. Our favourite dining location, the Spring Garden Road Restaurant was now only minutes away from the base. This was a wonderful convenience for me because I was underage and had to be back onboard by 2:00 a.m. It was also a money saver. On one occasion we drove home to Ontario and saved a mint on airfare.

Our trips to the south were few, but we did get to visit Fort Lauderdale in Florida. It was during the US college students' March Break. Amazing timing. We young lads knew of course about the reputation of Elbo Beach in Lauderdale during the break. It was the annual destination of thousands of students, more than half of them girls, looking to party. It wasn't a tale, we went crazy at the Elbo Beach dancehall and there wasn't even space on the beach to lay about. We were not disappointed.

We also had the opportunity to go waterskiing. Three of us rented a boat, checked the map and were off. Unfortunately in our travels we were distracted and lost our map overboard. No bother, we carried on. Later, we were approached by a local boat full of people and were waved to stop. We were asked where our map was and were told that we'd better find one. Apparently we had almost skied into alligator country and should get out of there pronto. We were soon back on the ship.

Soon after, we returned to Halifax and I began to think that my time in the navy was soon going to end. I thought of how my navy life experiences had seriously changed the way I thought about life and had broadened my horizons. So much so, that I wanted to get out in the world and continue to learn more things from a different perspective – civvie street. I decided not to re-enlist. I said my goodbyes and headed home. I kept one complete uniform though, which I treasure. Sadly it no longer fits. I no longer have a 32" waist.