A Submariner

"A Yank's Impression of Australia" by Fred LeFeuve "Fritz 95"
Our submarine got under way in late December 1979 from Norfolk, Virginia, USA. One hundred and twenty (give or take) men, sealed in a steel tube heading East. We crossed the Atlantic, turned south around Africa and into the Indian Ocean where for months we patrolled endlessly. Three weeks in Deigo Garcia broke up our voyage, but we were anchored out, little time ashore and we were looking to heading farther east as our global circumnavigation continued.

And what did we have to look forward to?? Five days' liberty in Fremantle West Australia. As most of us were east coast sailors none of our crew had ever been to Australia. We practised singing Waltzing Matilda, but that was about it. We arrived weary but happy in June 1980, glad to finally arrive.

Five days later when we left there was one thing on which we could all agree. Many of us were experienced travellers having visited countries around the world. Without question, without doubt, Fremantle - West Australia was the absolute best liberty port in the world, bar none; and the people of Australia were the warmest, friendliest, most outgoing we had ever met. If ever I were to decide to leave the United States, and relocate somewhere else, it is the memories of Australia that would pull me. Why is this? Glad you asked - let me tell you..

During World War II when Australia was threatened with war, Churchill had pulled out the British Divisions guarding Australia to return to Europe. This left Australia vulnerable and desperate. It was the United States that rushed in to fill the gap. In the cold war days of 1980 the threat of Red China was very real... Australians felt that if the bad day came, it was to the United States they would be able to turn to for assistance. And today, (or at least in 1980) people remembered.

In many countries we could not wear our nation's uniform for fear of terrorism - in many countries Americans were spat upon, we were the great Satan of the world!! In Australia we found a people who liked us because we were Americans. Oh! even we American have a few idiots, but a person would have to prove himself an idiot before he would be disliked. And we responded enthusiastically!!!

To the joy of the average sailor, the Australian men loved to drink beer, shoot snooker and play darts. This left the Australian women at loose ends (ha ha) and the "Dial a Sailor" phone installed in the submarine rang incessantly - girls, women looking to entertain some lucky sailor for a day or two or more.. What a country!! What a life!!

I was invited to the home of an Australian family where I spent two glorious days~ even developing a taste for vegemite (or at least faking it!) When it came time to leave the woman of the family brought me out some very old and well worn, stuffed koalas. She said they weren't much, not very nice perhaps, and I could find better ones in a store, but these were the koalas her children had growing up and she wanted me to take them home for my children. How warm hearted, how touching and the amazing thing is that everybody had stories like this to tell, - my story was by no means unique - and I have a couple more to tell - but they will have to wait till another time!!

Australia - I love you!!!

fritz95

A Submariner's Story

This will perhaps seem odd to some of you in OZ so let me preface this story as follows: Americans pride themselves on being progressive, advanced, on the cutting edge - but it only takes a visit to wonderful Australia to remind us that our country was settled in part by the Puritans and we are still in many respects a Puritanical country despite what we may think of ourselves. I'm talking here about the morays of sexual relationships.

We'd been at sea forever when our fast attack nuclear power submarine docked in Freemantle, WA. Our only port of call in a 7 month around the world cruise. The crew was bone tired, weary of the months at sea, ready for the relief of time ashore. The first day however the duty section had to remain aboard. My friend Ron found himself giving a tour of the sub to a couple from Perth. Ron was a country boy from the midwest and nice as could be. As he conducted the tour he got the feeling that the man was rather wealthy and asked him about it. I don't know his name but let's call him Bob. Bob replied that back when he only owned the tin mines he was only worth 9 or 10 million but after discovering a new mineral his worth was between 5 and 7 billion dollars. Ron was suitably impressed!!

Before leaving Bob told Ron he had business Sydney the next day and perhaps Ron would like to accompany him. Bob would pick him up in the morning and his Lear jet would be waiting at the airport. It would only be overnight so Ron was able to get permission from the Captain for the trip.

The next morning Ron was whisked off to the plane and found himself in the company of Bob, his secretary and lovely 19 year old daughter. They all got to know each other better and after arriving went out to Bob's ranch where Ron toured the stables, looked over the Rolls Royces and gallery.
Following dinner Bob suggested that his daughter show Ron, Sydney's night life and later they could stay at the Sheraton Hilton where Bob kept 5 suites of rooms.

Arriving at the hotel Ron watched as his date was fawned upon by the staff. Going up in the elevator Ron couldn't help but notice that she only had one key. Turning to Ron she said, I hope you don't mind spending the night with me tonight yank!" By now Ron had used up his ability to remain cool and said in a nervous tone, "Ah ok!!, ah sure!!!, ah together??"

They reportedly spent a great night together. The next morning there was a knock at the door. Bob. "C'mon you two - shake a leg". Ron was startled, 'It's your dad, what are we going to do?" Laughing she told him to relax, no big deal. On the flight back Ron told Bob that he couldn't understand his attitude. Bob asked Ron what he meant. Ron pointed out that he'd spent the night with his daughter. Bob said right? Ron said that Bob hardly knew him. Bob replied, what did he mean, they'd spent all day the day before together. Aha!! a cultural gap <g>.

Bob liked Ron a lot. Invited him to come back the following year, spend some time looking around the country, expenses paid and even suggested that he might consider offering Ron a job should he decide to emigrate, or perhaps even see about buying out his navy contract as additional enticement.

Ron related this story as we were getting underway after our wonderful port call. We all wondered why he'd come back. After all everyone has their price they say and 5 to 7 billion dollars is right up there!!

This story has a sad ending unfortunately. Ron never did go back to Oz. He re-enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in California. Following some serious personal difficulties he sadly took his own life about two years later. Friends, Ron was a mate and one of the good guys. I shall always remember him fondly, and I shall always enjoy his story and what might have been.

Fred LeFevre
Fritz95