SUBMARINE SAILORS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 May 1940, Page 7

SUBMARINE SAILORS

NO DAYLIGHT SEEN FOR WEEKS. KEEP FIT TREATMENT POPULAR. Crews of the submarines which patrol the Heligoland Bight go weeks without a glimpse of daylight —but they manage to be attractively tanned. They are being “fried” —given sun-ray treatment —at their depot to make up for the lack of real sun. The new treatment is not part of the normal Navy routine, but it is being given in recognition of the great work the submarines are doing in the Heligoland Bight. The crew of one submarine which recently returned from patrol had seen hardly any daylight for seven weeks. All day long the ship remained below the surface or just at periscope depth. It surfaced for battery charging only at night. It was a discussion among some of the men themselves about their need of more sunlight if they were to keep fit for their dangerous job, that led to the offer to provide them with a sunray outfit. Now every day the men go for a spell of “frying” under artificial sunlight.

So popular has it become that all the men attached to the station have asked permission for daily treatment.

An officer explained it was common knowledge in naval circles that submarine work had resulted in difficulties in the health of the men serving. He added: "At first the men were inclined to be more amused than anything else, about the sun-ray treatment.' but now we cannot keep them away.”