Hi, I am trying to locate a story of a submarine in Mbro docks 1963/1964 that hosted a party for underprivileged kids and kids from local children’s homes in care at the time. There was a story in the Evening Gazette. I also know of a David Griffiths from the Boro but not sure if you are the same person that I knew as. I too had my photo in the Evening Gazette. Desperately trying to find that photo, perhaps my dates maybe incorrect. If anyone can help I would be absolutely over the moon!!. Many thanks for reading this and hopefully I may seek some answers to my past. If you know of this photo or party, please post on here. J
I was photographed on HMS Onxy from Norton comprehensive visting in the late 70’s or early 80’s sat on a submariners knee with my mate Stuart Cuskern. My name is Micky Wannop and I went on to serve 23 years in the submarine service.
If I can I will find the photo and post it if possible.
Hi Michael Wannop, you knocked around with our son Mark Casey for some time, I seem to remember he went on same sub that was docked in Tees, was he on photo? Both Mark & his brother served about same time as you on forces.
All the best.
Derek
PS if Mark’s on the photo will you kindly email copy of photo to Picture Stockton? They have my email.
That’s right I remember you all I went on to serve 23 years on submarines after that visit I have spoken to Mark a few time on Facebook he’s was in the RAF as a cartographer. I loved those days hanging around with your family
I went to Albany (latterly The Norton) Comprehensive School, from 1971 to 1976. I remember the adoption of a submarine by the school, in fact, a school friend (now my brother in law) Vince Lacey won a competition to go on board the vessel as part of the prize. The submarine was called HMS Oracle…
I cannot remember the name of the submarine, but I was serving my time as an electrician at BSC and we (about 20 apprentices) were lucky enough to be invited aboard to have a look around. It is in Middlesbrough Dock and was either 1972 or 1973.
I think it’s either Onyx or Otus taken mid seventies or just before I joined it 1980. Affiliated to Stockton and Middlesborough though we could only tie up in Hartlepool opposite where HMS Warrior was being rebuilt, then Trincomalee. The Mayoress of Stockton was present at Onyx’s re-dedication after refit at Rosyth 1983-86. Some very close ties were formed during and after Onyx’s visits to Stockton/Hartlepool. Served on Onyx from May 1980 through to 1989 as MEM(L)/ LMEM(L)(SM). A fine submarine, which did well to get to and back from the Falkland Isles in 82′. I do believe I have some photos of Onyx tied up at Hartlepool
Hey Scotty, how’s it going? Just stumbled across this site while feeling all nostalgic about my days on the Onyx. Still got some photos of you on the casing the day the oil drum BBQ went over the side in the Med. Ever hear from Concrete or Arty?
All the best,
Jon Sales, one of the Motor room boys.
HMS/M ONYX was affiliated to the Town of Stockton On Tees. I served onboard her as the Radio Supervisor in charge of the Communications Department in the latter part of the 1980s. The Boat in the photo is leaving Portsmouth Harbour, the photo having been taken from the 1st Submarine Squadron”s base, HMS Dolphin. It could very well be Onyx by the size of the nameplate attached to the Fin. Only 2 other boats had short names – OTUS and ODIN. During my time onboard we visited Stockton twice (with a 5 month stint in the Falklands in between!)and both visits were extremely pleasurable. The net result being that I NEARLY married a lass from Thornaby.. however circumstances outside of both our control put an end to the relationship. Regards to all-Mick Reilly, ex RS(SM) HMS Onyx 1986-89
yes it is a o class diesel electric submarine. HMS Onyx was one of Stockton Sea Cadets adopted ships and in the 80″s several of us traveled to Rosyth from Hartlepool on her as part of affiliation visits. Great fun for a 14 year old.The photograph shows a O class leaving Portsmouth Harbour. The building just to the rear (left) conning tower is the “Still and West” pub on the entrance to old portsmouth harbour the crane in the back ground is where the old base was and is now part of the new shoping and residential developement (spinaker tower area).
Stephen Lee: Though your account of the loss of H.M. submarine C11 is most interesting the design of the submarine in the picture above and of the buildings behind it suggest a much later date than 1909.The consensus of previous posts on this subject, that it is 1960s -1980s seems more reasonable.
This appears to be the”HMS C11 which Sank in English Channel after collision with SS Eddystone “Secretary to the Admiralty regrets having to communicate that Messrs Farrar, Groves, & Co’s Steamer Eddystone, bound for Hull, was in collision with submarine C11 at 1145 last night, 4½ miles north west of Haisborough Light, off Cromer and the submarine was sunk” On 14 July 1909 whilst exercising off Cromer HMS C11 was struck aft by the steamer Eddystone. The collision had the stern clean off the submarine, which sank within 40 seconds. All but three of her crew were lost. Information came from hms archives.
I believe you are right about the Oberon class. The Royal Australian Navy used them up until the eighties. I can see one right now from my office window at the Sydney Maritime Museum on Darling Harbour and it sure looks like the type shown in the Stockton Picture.
H M S “Oberon” was “Twinned” to the Albany Comprehensive School, later Norton Comprehensive. With visits by crew to the school and to the submarine docked in Middlesbrough by pupils. There is the vessels crest and a bronze torpedo propellor mounted on a wooden plaque in the reception area of that school. I beleive there is also a crest plaque in the Mayors Parlour in Stockton Town Hall
Albany School’s ‘twin’ Sub was Oracle. Onyx was linked with Tilery Junior School (the 1970s-built one). I went to both schools (Tilery 71-75, Albany 75-80) and visited both subs, at least one and possibly both being tied-up in Middlesbrough Docks. On one occasion my brother and I were ‘volunteered’ by the school to take part in a Radio Cleveland outside broadcast from Onyx. I recall the crew having thrown covers over various ‘sensitive’ bits of equipment in preparation for the public visiting.
My daughter went to Albany as well, in the early 90s, and for a good while there was a display in the reception area of Oracle undergoing a keel-upwards refit. I think she did one tour and was then mothballed before being laid-up at Pounds’ scrapyard at Portsmouth for several years prior to being towed away and cut up – last I heard, Onyx was about to face a similar end.
Ironically, whilst working at Pompey Navy base I drove past Oracle lots of times without realising it was my old school sub!
Only a guess, but looks like a Royal Navy Oberon class diesel- electric submarine. Thirteen boats in class and they were in service from the 1960s to the late 1980s early 1990s. Not sure where the photograph was taken, but I remember one of the class ( H M S Onyx?) paying an official visit to the Tees in, I think, the seventies, with some crew activities involving Stockton.
Picture Stockton Archive 
I was in a photo on HMS Onyx in the early 1980s in the Gazette sat on a sailors knee would love to see this picture again
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I was in Middlesbrough Docks in 1975 on HMS/M Finwhale. Had my picture in the Evening Gazette as I was born and brought up in Middlesbrough
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Hi, I am trying to locate a story of a submarine in Mbro docks 1963/1964 that hosted a party for underprivileged kids and kids from local children’s homes in care at the time. There was a story in the Evening Gazette. I also know of a David Griffiths from the Boro but not sure if you are the same person that I knew as. I too had my photo in the Evening Gazette. Desperately trying to find that photo, perhaps my dates maybe incorrect. If anyone can help I would be absolutely over the moon!!. Many thanks for reading this and hopefully I may seek some answers to my past. If you know of this photo or party, please post on here. J
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I was photographed on HMS Onxy from Norton comprehensive visting in the late 70’s or early 80’s sat on a submariners knee with my mate Stuart Cuskern. My name is Micky Wannop and I went on to serve 23 years in the submarine service.
If I can I will find the photo and post it if possible.
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Hi Michael Wannop, you knocked around with our son Mark Casey for some time, I seem to remember he went on same sub that was docked in Tees, was he on photo? Both Mark & his brother served about same time as you on forces.
All the best.
Derek
PS if Mark’s on the photo will you kindly email copy of photo to Picture Stockton? They have my email.
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That’s right I remember you all I went on to serve 23 years on submarines after that visit I have spoken to Mark a few time on Facebook he’s was in the RAF as a cartographer. I loved those days hanging around with your family
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Struggling to find photo it’s around somewhere
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I seem to recall that it was just myself stu and the Navy sailor in the photo
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I went to Albany (latterly The Norton) Comprehensive School, from 1971 to 1976. I remember the adoption of a submarine by the school, in fact, a school friend (now my brother in law) Vince Lacey won a competition to go on board the vessel as part of the prize. The submarine was called HMS Oracle…
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I cannot remember the name of the submarine, but I was serving my time as an electrician at BSC and we (about 20 apprentices) were lucky enough to be invited aboard to have a look around. It is in Middlesbrough Dock and was either 1972 or 1973.
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I think it’s either Onyx or Otus taken mid seventies or just before I joined it 1980. Affiliated to Stockton and Middlesborough though we could only tie up in Hartlepool opposite where HMS Warrior was being rebuilt, then Trincomalee. The Mayoress of Stockton was present at Onyx’s re-dedication after refit at Rosyth 1983-86. Some very close ties were formed during and after Onyx’s visits to Stockton/Hartlepool. Served on Onyx from May 1980 through to 1989 as MEM(L)/ LMEM(L)(SM). A fine submarine, which did well to get to and back from the Falkland Isles in 82′. I do believe I have some photos of Onyx tied up at Hartlepool
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Hey Scotty, how’s it going? Just stumbled across this site while feeling all nostalgic about my days on the Onyx. Still got some photos of you on the casing the day the oil drum BBQ went over the side in the Med. Ever hear from Concrete or Arty?
All the best,
Jon Sales, one of the Motor room boys.
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The name plate of Onyx along with Tireless is shown on recent additions ref.t9801 along with description.
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HMS/M ONYX was affiliated to the Town of Stockton On Tees. I served onboard her as the Radio Supervisor in charge of the Communications Department in the latter part of the 1980s. The Boat in the photo is leaving Portsmouth Harbour, the photo having been taken from the 1st Submarine Squadron”s base, HMS Dolphin. It could very well be Onyx by the size of the nameplate attached to the Fin. Only 2 other boats had short names – OTUS and ODIN. During my time onboard we visited Stockton twice (with a 5 month stint in the Falklands in between!)and both visits were extremely pleasurable. The net result being that I NEARLY married a lass from Thornaby.. however circumstances outside of both our control put an end to the relationship. Regards to all-Mick Reilly, ex RS(SM) HMS Onyx 1986-89
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yes it is a o class diesel electric submarine. HMS Onyx was one of Stockton Sea Cadets adopted ships and in the 80″s several of us traveled to Rosyth from Hartlepool on her as part of affiliation visits. Great fun for a 14 year old.The photograph shows a O class leaving Portsmouth Harbour. The building just to the rear (left) conning tower is the “Still and West” pub on the entrance to old portsmouth harbour the crane in the back ground is where the old base was and is now part of the new shoping and residential developement (spinaker tower area).
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Stephen Lee: Though your account of the loss of H.M. submarine C11 is most interesting the design of the submarine in the picture above and of the buildings behind it suggest a much later date than 1909.The consensus of previous posts on this subject, that it is 1960s -1980s seems more reasonable.
LikeLike
This appears to be the”HMS C11 which Sank in English Channel after collision with SS Eddystone “Secretary to the Admiralty regrets having to communicate that Messrs Farrar, Groves, & Co’s Steamer Eddystone, bound for Hull, was in collision with submarine C11 at 1145 last night, 4½ miles north west of Haisborough Light, off Cromer and the submarine was sunk” On 14 July 1909 whilst exercising off Cromer HMS C11 was struck aft by the steamer Eddystone. The collision had the stern clean off the submarine, which sank within 40 seconds. All but three of her crew were lost. Information came from hms archives.
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I believe you are right about the Oberon class. The Royal Australian Navy used them up until the eighties. I can see one right now from my office window at the Sydney Maritime Museum on Darling Harbour and it sure looks like the type shown in the Stockton Picture.
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H M S “Oberon” was “Twinned” to the Albany Comprehensive School, later Norton Comprehensive. With visits by crew to the school and to the submarine docked in Middlesbrough by pupils. There is the vessels crest and a bronze torpedo propellor mounted on a wooden plaque in the reception area of that school. I beleive there is also a crest plaque in the Mayors Parlour in Stockton Town Hall
LikeLike
Albany School’s ‘twin’ Sub was Oracle. Onyx was linked with Tilery Junior School (the 1970s-built one). I went to both schools (Tilery 71-75, Albany 75-80) and visited both subs, at least one and possibly both being tied-up in Middlesbrough Docks. On one occasion my brother and I were ‘volunteered’ by the school to take part in a Radio Cleveland outside broadcast from Onyx. I recall the crew having thrown covers over various ‘sensitive’ bits of equipment in preparation for the public visiting.
My daughter went to Albany as well, in the early 90s, and for a good while there was a display in the reception area of Oracle undergoing a keel-upwards refit. I think she did one tour and was then mothballed before being laid-up at Pounds’ scrapyard at Portsmouth for several years prior to being towed away and cut up – last I heard, Onyx was about to face a similar end.
Ironically, whilst working at Pompey Navy base I drove past Oracle lots of times without realising it was my old school sub!
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Only a guess, but looks like a Royal Navy Oberon class diesel- electric submarine. Thirteen boats in class and they were in service from the 1960s to the late 1980s early 1990s. Not sure where the photograph was taken, but I remember one of the class ( H M S Onyx?) paying an official visit to the Tees in, I think, the seventies, with some crew activities involving Stockton.
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