To:Fleet Admiral, RNHQ Munchen
cc: all active and reserve Night Watch fleets
From: Lt.Hargett, Commander STANFORT

This weekend at an undisclosed location we will be conducting sea trials of the refurbished Texas Navy PT15 after her difficulties earlier in the year. Once power and weight/balance check out, she will undergo several high speed runs, if successful, she will be accepted and added to inventory western fleet, her commander will be myself. LT.JG Errol Cat will have his own command soon. Although all was quiet due to the effects of the worldwide biological disaster, Texas has started to reopen...but I fear the Oklahoma Rabbit Regulars are as of this moment one step ahead. Intelligence suggests that with the stem of civilian traffic due to the crisis of the past few months, their numbers have.....multiplied. Will report SITREP and sea trials results soonest.
Respectfully,
Lt Cash Hargett
Commander STANFORT

I'm with that Nerys👍
Happy ananym-ing😁
Tseb eht lla, TEELF//
😎

As I was writing about a fictitious quasi naval unit, Doug, I saw no reason why I should not use fictional places and was pointing out that even the great Dylan Thomas did such things and Traeth Gwag could on my fictional coast be somewhere near another fictional place, Llaregub.

Let's try and have some fun in these 'orrible times.

All the best, Nerys

Found the script!
As an e-book in Australia, of all places!
No mention of Traeth Gwag or 'empty beach!!
😎

Now I know that the honourable Captain is pulling her Admirals sea leg!😠
Something was niggling at the back of my mind!! 'Dylan Thomas ???'
Then 💡... Aha! "Under Milk Wood"!
Hence your earlier reference to Dylan Thomas as well.😉
My first wife was a drama teacher with a foible for Dylan Thomas, and I attended many of her readings and college productions.

Now I'm sure that you mean not Llanreggub but Llareggub Nerys!
Which is 'bugger all' backwards and the setting for Dylan's fictional Welsh village in Under Milk Wood. New Quay where Dylan lived 1944-45, and several of it's inhabitants, is said to be his inspiration for Llareggub.
Can't recall any reference to Traeth Gwag in the play though🤔 but then that phase of my life ended forty odd years ago. Must look for a book of the script and directors notes.
So, another mystery solved. Thanks for the challenge Nerys😉
Cheers, Doug 😎
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_Milk_Wood#Llareggub

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/dylan-thomas-60-years-real-life-6670465

Doug. Traeth Gwag is a few miles along the coast from Llanreggub. Doubt if you'll find it on Google Earth or even any charts. Needs local knowledge.

Cheers, Nerys

I bow to superior knowledge Capt. Nerys😔
You also managed to beat Google Earth👍
I still don't know where Traeth Gwag is 🤔
Must get some new charts!

Apropos D Thomas
"Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

G'night,💤💤💤
Doug 😎

No Doug, I wasn't off course and I know the Hollowshore, at the confluence of Faversham and Oare creeks that you are talking about extremely well, but this was Traeth Gwag which is as real a place as the rest of my post. It's called artistic licence. After all Dylan wrote about Llanreggub.

All the best, Nerys

😮
Got a bit off course didn't you Capt?
How did you end up in North Kent?😁
Don't tell me Sub Lt Phillips was navigating again!
Can see we are going to have to organise some NAV Exercises!!
FLEET// 😎

https://www.google.com/maps/search/Hollow+Shore./@51.3290857,0.8091967,13287m/data=!3m1!1e3

There is another translation Doug, it also means hollow which comes from the original Holy. My translation of Traeth Gwag in modern language would be Hollow Shore.

Cheers, Nerys

FLEET TO CO BC PATROL
Good work Captain👍
Now that's what I call a RELIEF OPERATION!!😮😉
In this case I think we'll dispense with the usual Post Misson paperwork!😝
No unnecessary risks please Capt.
FLEET// 😎
PS What were you doing on an 'Empty Beach'??
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bara-koukoug/16224614268

To Fleet Admiral, RNHQ Munchen
From Capt. Nerys, Bristol Channel Patrol.

Report of activity 23rd March 2020

Patrol Boat was released back to Bristol Channel Patrol by dockyard following completion of refit Friday 20th March.

On my inspection am Friday, Leading Seaman Prydderch informed me that his home coastal village of Traeth Gwag was completely out of toilet rolls and his mother who ran the local shop had a consignment on order from a Cardiff wholesaler who were unable through lack of transport, to deliver for another week. I decided that this was a situation where we could help. I despatched the yard transport with a couple of hands to the wholesaler, collected the consignment, loaded them on board and sailed this afternoon in order to arrive at the quayside in Traeth Gwag when there would be sufficient water to get alongside. Wind was South East force 3 slight sea, good visibility. Arrived 17-30, horse and cart on quay for transporting goods to shop. Required two loads. Efusive thanks from shopkeeper who presented ship's company with six bara brith loaves and a box of Welsh Cakes as a thank you present. Returned to base securing at 22-30.

Capt. Nerys

MESSAGE TIMED 0218 CET: 0118 ZULU:
FLEET ORDER: IMMEDIATE!
Captain Nerys! GO TO BED you naughty girl!
(Fleet Admirals may be so bold😁)
You need to keep your strength up in these troubled times,
and we need you sharp as a pin in command of the SW Squadron on the Morning Watch.
Best regards to you and your Director of Construction and Logistics.
BTW: I trust that all your crews have been instructed to pay particular attention to the integrity of the Citadels on all vessels? All doors, hatches and vents sealed and overpressure checked?
THIS IS NOT AN EXERCISE!! WE ARE UNDER BIOLOGICAL ATTACK!!
REVISED FLEETWIDE STANDING ORDERS WILL BE ISSUED SHORTLY:
STAY TUNED TO YOUR ASSIGNED SHORE NET BROADCAST FREQUENCIES FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS:
FLEET// 😎

Ken,
Very nice work, well done, I like the level of detail you are building.
Joe

Hi Sub,

Think you've made a nice job of the windlass and the mast case. I take it the mast case is freestanding in the third photo.

Why empty the lake? cleaning purposes? or just draining off surplus water? What do the three fish do if they completely empty the lake?

The crash tender ex Thai Navy, is finished, will bring her along next time we come to the lake, won't be this coming Saturday I'm afraid.

Cheers, Capt.Nerys

Thank you Sub.Lt. Ken. I was very pleased to be able to launch a new traditional sail training vessel on our waters yesterday and look forward to the day when you launch 'Veronica' to join the sail training flotilla. Hope it won't be too long.

Capt.Nerys

Sub.Lt. Ken. In view of your executive position in the Bristol Channel Patrol, I think we should get together for a discussion on future plans. As you no doubt saw, I have arranged for both vessels to be generally prepared for the season, bút it will not be long before they are ready for action. I understand the Fleet Admiral is formulating plans taking into account both political changes and medical emergencies, but I feel that regular patrols along the South Wales and Somerset coasts should be reinstituted as soon as the ships are ready. Also, we should hold a muster of the ships' companies in case it is necessary to send the Buffer out with a couple of Killicks to press gang some new crew members.

All the best , Capt. Nerys

Ken. Thank you for your congratulations. We were aware that the annual mess bills were due this month, so will be settling up with the Treasurer when we see him on Saturday. I had hoped that we would see an improvement in wind conditions this weekend, but looking at the forecast I am somewhat doubtful.

Cheers, Nerys

To:FLEET
Thank you for the prompt reply and clarification. Will hold off any reflagging of Force, Attached vessels until further notification. Will resume scouting/reporting operations soonest, will advise once defensive/offensive capabilities re-established.
LT jg Cash Hargett, North Texas area Commander.

Don't panic Sub,
Force restructuring and revised orders for all commands are being formulated now.
All will be revealed! 😮🙈
Suffice it to say that your flotilla is on Detachment to the Royal Navy as Standing Force Texas, STANFORT, with yourself as Designated Area Commander.
The formalities, flagging etc, will be clarified in the forthcoming revised Unit Standing Orders.
Regards to the Commodore,
Carry on at your discretion Sub, FLEET 😎

Good to see the Night Watch activated again. And, Congratulations and a big Huzzah to Cap’n Nerys!!👍👍
Now to business..first off, I need a clarification. Am I Texas Navy, Western Squadron, Royal Navy Attached? Don’t know the hierarchy nor how to address my fleet nor myself. Also, as of now there are several ships and boats of a support nature in the Texas Fleet, tugs, fireboat, lifeboats, and the like, including an airboat that’s been lend-leases from the Cajun Navy. However, the McKinney Inland Shipyards and Studebaker Storage facility has been busy with a new project that will put the repair and reclamation of the PT on hold for at least another 3 weeks. There’s a Steam Launch in the works, the Commodore needs something to inspect the fleet with.
So, for the time being, until the PT is fixed and/or Lt JG Errol Cats new command is built, the Texas Navy is reduced to a scouting force only. Trust me, we’ll be back to full readiness very, very soon. It’s getting close to spring, and the rabbits are restless..
LT jg Cash Hargett, acting commander Texas Navy.

FLEET TO CAPT. NERYS:
UNCLASS:
Concur with your interim measures and proposals Captain. Welcome back😊
I trust that your eminently capable Director of Construction and Maintenance, acting Cmdr. Alice, has the refits under control.😉 Keep us advised of progress and estimated date of return to operational status.

Following the protracted hiatus in operations since Christmas, due to storms and other extenuating circumstances, new Standing Orders will be issued to all units and commands shortly.
These will take account of recent political changes and current pandemic risks.
Local operational detail will remain within the aegis of local commanders.
We are sure that you will rise to this new challenge, with the able support of your new EXEC Sub. Lt. Thompson.
Carry on Captain 👍
FLEET//😎

To Fleet from Captain Nerys. Thank you for your congratulations which come at a time when I happily feel well enough to make some semblance of a return to active duty.
In this context, I, today, visited the dockyard to inspect both the BC Patrol's vessel and Y Mers, the fast patrol boat on loan to me from the Welsh Navy (Llynges Cymru). Both ships have been cared for by skeleton crews over the last few months, but I have requested the Dockyard Superintendent to arrange for drydocking both ships for hull cleaning and painting, engine overhaul and full general refit. Costs will be met from the standing maintenance fund.
I shall liaise with sub.lt. Ken within the next few days to discuss future operational plans.

Trust these arrangements will meet with your approval.

Capt. Nerys

FLASH.
FLEET TO BRISTOL CHANNEL SQUADRON
CLASS: OPEN:
Ahoy Shipmates
Congratulations are in order😊
First and foremost-
Our newly appointed CAPTAIN NERYS 👍👍👍
Well done Cap'n, well deserved for your work with the Bristol Channel Squadron.

Last but not least-
Our newly commissioned Sub Lieutenant Ken Thompson 👍👍👍
Well done Number One 👍👍👍
In recognition of your work in the Bristol Channel, liaison with the Llynges Cymru and progress through the ranks you are herewith appointed Executive Officer Bristol Channel Squadron, reporting directly to Captain Nerys CO-STANDING PATROL BRISTOL CHANNEL (CO-STANPATBC). Looking forward to your active participation in STANPATBC operations SubLt ken😉

BRAVO ZULU TO YOU BOTH
FLEET// 😎

Figtree7nts, Just noticed that you are now able to fly your vice's pennant. Many congratulations, well deserved.

Cdr. Nerys

Middy Ken, Welcome home from your foreign deployment, trust you and Judy are well rested and pleased at seeing your family. Hope you are fit and rareing to go. Your lake awaits you! Bristol Channel Patrol is in need of exercising as I am still hospital bound.

Cheers, Nerys

Attn: Fleet RNinMunich, Commander Nerys, et.al
Belated Holiday greetings and SITREP Western Fleet,Texas Navy.

The newest flagship of the Texas Navy is ready for trials. The original schedule was going to be this week as I’m on holiday from my civilian job..however, the whole barracks was under the weather over the Christmas holiday. I came down with it first as it was being passed around the shop the past 3 weeks. I then decided to share it with my wife and daughter as the family that’s miserable together is...well, miserable together.
In all seriousness, the Commodore, Teresa, got it worse than I did. Whatever bacterial infection we got decided to mutate into a mild bout of Pneumonia, but she’s getting good treatment and seems to be on the mend.
Also, Cadet Grace (my daughter) has herself a BOYFRIEND at the tender age of 14. He’s a good kid, good family, met him in Church camp, so there’s that. But, between the holidays, the sickness, and playing Uber for my daughter we are both beat. Oh, did I mention that the ROmarin Dolly with the fittings kit AND the fire monitor kit got back ordered from Harbor Models in California and has just now passed thru customs. That really upset my wife, as she ordered it for my Christmas present. I told her it’s just one of “those” Christmases, things happen, and we’ve been blessed for the past 25 years that most of our holidays have been very good ones.
Anyway, that’s the SITREP in a nutshell. We’re all a little cranky save Grace, as she’s having quite the time..think she needs a “character building” exercise...like cleaning the litter boxes.😊
One other thing. I’m Texas Navy attached to the Royal Navy, correct? Do I hoist the Texas ensign or the Union Jack? Please advise soonest.
Respectfully, Midshipman Hargett, Texas Navy

Still seem to be some Atcos around Nerys😉


https://www.google.com/search?q=atco+boat+impeller&client=firefox-b-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=hVFDnO4pNjgf3M%253A%252CqNLucjoU2JqlLM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kRPV6pBhXSs0e9LUeQ3svdFKFPrrA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwifp7LLzNbmAhXQ0aQKHb9SCXYQ9QEwCnoECAkQGA#imgrc=hVFDnO4pNjgf3M:

I remember some years ago we used something like that, but with 90° drive, on our Danube cruises. The 'boat' was an ex USS Army inflatable pontoon bridge boat - a huge black sausage😮. Inflating it took ages, even with a compressor.
We were forever patching it up but it was big enough to take 3 families, camping gear (incl. a huge gas grill) and supplies (another crate in the bow please Peter😁). We used to go down as far as Krems. Some nice wines in the region 😋
Only 3/4 HP but great fun 😊 Except if you forgot to put a bathing towel over the black rubber 'sausage' before sitting or lying on it. When the July/August sun was out it got hot enough to 1st degree burn your skin☀️💥😭
How's the rigging going?
Best wishes to Alice 'The Tool Box Queen' 😉 as well. Sheds all finished?
Cheers, Doug 😎

Hi Doug, Boats with long direct drive shafts seem to be common in many countries, not only in shallow water, and also on quite big boats. I saw a picture of one once being driven by a car engine mounted on the after deck.
I remember, it must have been about 1954, an attempt by a garden mower company to produce an outboard with a straight over the stern drive. It was called the Atco Boat Impeller.
I watched a demonstration on the hard at the Medway Yacht Club. The motor was duly attached to the transom of a dinghy, usual clamping outboard method. With some difficulty the motor was started, it then jumped off the dinghy falling into the water. Don't worry, said the demonstrator, it will run under water. Glug, glug, glug, motor stops. End of demonstration.
Advertising ceased after a short time. I never saw one in use or heard of anyone buying one.

All the best, Nerys

Way past your bedtime Nerys! 😠
Mine too 🤔🙄
Happy rigging and sail bending 😮
I seem to remember seeing such boats with the long drive shafts in S. Korea too.
Odd looking but they work😉, especially in shallow rivers.
Best wishes, Doug 😎

Hi Ken,
Pleased to hear you are enjoying yourself. Our Christmas was dominated by the dialysis, as is everything. The only difference was that they didn't work Christmas Day, just moved the days around. I know the sort of boats with the drive shaft going straight over the stern, I expected you to see those. Common in lots of countries, not only the Far East. I've been doing a bit on the barge, made the mainsail and topsail over Christmas and they are bent on, just going to set up the topmast standing rigging.
See you when you return.

All the best, Nerys and Alice.

Thank you for your greetings Doug and all the very best for Christmas and the New Year to you and Gisela too. I still try to be active, but it is a bit difficult at the moment, spending far too much time in hospital. Hope things will improve soon. Managing to do a little work on the barge, just to keep things moving along.

Cheers, Nerys

Glad to see you are still active Nerys 👍😊
Trust Alice is also well. Seasons Greetings to you both.
Cheers, Doug 😎

Thank you Ken. Having a hospital free day, although we were there until after 11pm last night, I am spending a few happy hours sewing the mainsail of my barge. The weather is, as one says, Welsh. No doubt you are basking in sunshine and devouring quantities of unheard of local delicacies. Enjoy.

All the best, Nerys

Glad you are enjoying yourself Ken, it's the small fishing type boats I'm most interested in and if any are sprouting sails , all to the good.

cheers, Nerys

Thanks for that Ken, it's pouring with rain here, has been for ages, and likely to carry on indefinitely. Remember what it's like?

All the best, Nerys

We were very lucky as Boys ,as my dad was chief production engineer in a variety of different works and taught us metalwork ,welding and other skills from an early age and let us have time in the workshop at weekends if it wasn't busy, to work on our projects many a bicycle was chopped and altered after the film easy rider came out (my youngest brother still customizes motor bikes ) ,we also built a trike with a BSA Bantam engine ,

Sounds great. Would love to see pictures. Heath Robinson or Emmett comes to mind. I did try sailing a bike once.

Cheers, Nerys

Ours was 3 scaffolding poles welded into a triangle with a motorcycle steering column welded onto the front with shortened forks with tiller steering fitted to the yolks ,trailer suspension and wheels at the back ,the mast and jib were aluminium poles, loads of wire rope ,the sail was an old tarp (with a skull and cross bones ☠painted on) ,the braking system were pivots with a wooden block attached with a bit of old car tyre as the brake block ,2 old plastic canteen chairs were the seats ,one of my brothers may still have the photos and cini film will try and get a copy and post them if someone still has them .
Cheers Marky

In reality Mark, a real one is better still, but in the context of this forum, I'd like to know if model Ice or Land Yachts are feasible. I've always wanted to try the real thing, but somehow never had the opportunity. Sure you enjoyed your experience despite the bruises.

Cheers, Nerys

Haven't made a model one ,but made a real sand yacht with my brothers years ago when we lived up in Wick and would go to Reiss sands to run it at the weekend and holidays (not Sunday in the north of Scotland),fun days and a few bruises no crash helmets just goggles.
Cheers Marky

Now that I've started talking about Ice and Land Yachts, has anyone ever made an RC model of either?. Not being very technically minded, I don't know if either would be a practical proposition but would be interested to hear what others think.

Cheers, Nerys

The lake at Les Rousses is quite shallow, consequently the ice gets very thick and of course it is a biggish lake. The Ice Yacht Club of Switzerland use it regularly as well as individuals. There seemed to be all sorts, varying from the DN which was popularised by the Detroit News newspaper before WW2 up to more modern ones as well as sledges with a makeshift sail Even people on skates holding a piece of cloth as a sail (often falling over). It all looked great fun.
I remember one day, watching the Ice Yachts at Les Rousses, then driving on down to Geneva, where, an hour or so later, I was watching real yachts sailing on the lake in a beautiful (almost) summer's day.

Cheers, Nerys

Hi Nerys,
Lake's not really big enough or the ice ever thick enough for ice yachts, unless you mean RC model ones? Never seen any though.
Some winters the ice is thick enough to walk on. Then there's a lot of ice skating and curling. Tried the latter myself several years ago, was quite fun. As a league Ten Pin bowler I enjoyed the challenge. Dun' arf make ya feet cold after a while though❄️☹️
We used to take a sort of Samovar arrangement full of Glühwein on to the ice with us. Had to take a small wooden table with us as well to make sure it didn't melt it's way into the lake!
Last few years the ice has rarely been thick enough though.
Damn global warming😠
Good luck with the rigging, don't get knotted!!😮
Cheers, Doug 😎

Thank you for your congratulations Doug. Sorry to hear you have some health problems too, you have my sincerest sympathy. That's my problem too, a boatyard full of boats awaiting finishing and the flesh too weak to do much about it.

I imagine your lake freezes over, is it suitable for ice yachting? I used to watch it on a lake at Les Rousses in the Jura, but never had the opportunity to try it.

Just going to attempt a little work on my current barge project. Rigging the topmast hopefully.

All the best, Nerys

Sorry to hear that Commander,
(How did I manage to miss your promotion celebrations!?🤔)
My commiserations, can 100% sympathise, my 'little' health problems have been draining my energy lately. As my dear ol' Dad used to say 'All my get up and go has got up and went!'
Head still full of ideas but the flesh is weak! Grrrrr!😠
Sailing is now On Ice here due to sub-zero temperatures the last week or so.
Lake not totally frozen over yet, but ice is forming along the shores making launching a hazardous exercise!❄️❄️❄️
So the Weißwurst and Obstler smugglers have a free hand at the moment😠
Oh well! Back to the slipway! 🤔😉
Look after yourselves.
Cheers, Adm. Doug 😎

Hi Doug,

Thanks for your good wishes but I'm afraid I'm still stuck in the endless routine of hospital, probably for another month. We are both absolutely fed up and quite frankly, shattered.

I'd love to feel up to putting to sea again, but the weather hasn't actually been conducive to that recently. Very cold and as for the rain today, unbelievable,

Yes I agree, let the scrumpy smugglers have a free hand for a while, we'll go looking for them when we are ready.

All the best,
Nerys

Hi Nerys,
How are things?
Sincerely hope you two are getting better and will soon be back in action.
Looking forward to seeing the new shipyard in operation😉
All the very best, Doug 😎
PS Let the scrumpy smugglers be during the run up to Christmas and New Year.
Normal Service will be resumed in the new year! 😉

MSM Ken. Apart from the committee meeting, we must discuss future operations for the Bristol Channel patrol. It seems so long since I was involved, just wish things could normalise and let me become a free roaming sailor girl once more. Not too long I hope. As things are, everything is in a state of abeyance. Ships to build, shipyard buildings to finish, it's dreadful to think how far behind we are with everything and these sickbay operatives are proving distinctly unhelpful.

See you Saturday. (fingers and everything else crossed).

Lt Cdr, Nerys

FLEET TO COMMANDER WESTERN SQUADRON, TEXAS NAVY:
SUBJ: VESSEL ACQUISITION:
CLASS: CLEAR:
Dear WO Cash,
Considering the current new build budget restraints (and delays and cost overruns on the Western Fleet's new sea going tug!😐) Night Watch command has no objection whatsoever to the acquisition of a vessel, suited to our mission profiles, which is surplus to the requirements of a friendly navy.
This is the way that most minor navies around the world survive. (With the exception of some small navies of oil rich countries who can afford new build!) Before my elevation to my current command posting I worked on the refits / upgrades of many examples of vessels 'sold down the line' and re-flagged while the hulls still had life in them. Most fun was on an ex RN Colossus class carrier in Brazil😊
Looking forward to the sea trials and commissioning ceremony of your flagship.
I may have found a source of scale Champagne bottles for that😉 I'll let you know.

Congrats on repelling your 'boarders', although I wasn't aware that cauldrons of boiling oil were still in our armoury!! Or that cannibalism was legal in Texas😮
Looking forward to your 'battle recipe' 👍😋
All the best for your build and fitting out.
FLEET// 😎