HMS COURAGEOUS 1974-1979

HMS COURAGEOUS 1974-1979 adopted an African Elephant that someone found tethered to a bollard next to the taxi rank on Helensburghs mainstreet. They called him *Mongo* and he lived in an old Chacon that they put in their Lay-apart store just up from 6-Berth. When theyeventually left Faslane, to go to Chatham for re-fit, Capt SM3 granted permission for Mongo to go with them. They chained him to the starboard rails of the fin and hoofed it down the Gareloch on the step. Mongo was as happy as larry, but the casing party spent most of their time trying not to step in enormous piles of elephant shit. Anyhow – Courageous encountered some very bad weather in the Irish Sea (surface passage) and come the morning – Mongo had simply disappeared. God! The entire Boat’s Company miss that elephant. Ask any ex Courageous ships company – they’ll vouch for him. He was a brills elephant and good company for the Upper Deck Trot.

R.I.P. Mongo. (Here is only one of two known photographs that exist of Mongo actually

on the casing of HMS COURAGEOUS as they sailed out of Faslane, with AFD 60 visible

in the background). The other is of Mongo in happier daze.