Working in the nuclear missile compartment of a Cold War Royal Navy Polaris submarine (213)

Dec 18, 2021

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John Andrews joined the Royal Navy in 1981 and went on to serve aboard the HMS Repulse, one of the UK’s Polaris nuclear missile submarines from 1982.

His role was Missile Compartment Control Patrol which included security of the nuclear missile compartment as well as assisting in the maintenance of the missile tubes and the nuclear missiles themselves.

John shares details of life aboard the ship including missile launch tests, alcohol, practical jokes, escape procedures from a submerged submarine and many more.

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Now, this episode was recorded at the Hack Green Nuclear Bunker Soviet Threat event so you will hear some background noise, but I am delighted to welcome John Andrews to our Cold War conversation…

There’s further information on this episode in our show notes which can also be found as a link in your podcast app here.

0:00 Introduction and guest John Andrews' role in the Royal Navy

3:05 Detailed background of John's service

6:13 Discussion on John's claustrophobia and PTSD diagnosis

9:02 Recollection of a missile launch test

15:32 Understanding of ship-wide activities

20:38 Role of detonators in missile launch

24:28 Monitoring radiation exposure and experiences with PTSD

28:17 Relationships and interactions with officers

31:40 Family communication on the submarine

37:52 Running quiet on the submarine when being followed

42:22 Rivalry between submarines and crews