RUST- THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE

         Young Lieutenant Prasad was headed for Mumbai after his Engineering Specialization Course at the Naval Engineering Base. He had been posted onboard the mighty Aircraft Carrier of the Indian Navy called INS Vikrant. At the end of course party, Prasad had received kind pearls of wisdom from the Training Captain. The Training Captain had a flowing white beard and spoke with passion to Prasad. After all, he had also been a young Engineer onboard the same ship. “Do not let the machines catch Rust, Prasad”, was his final advice to the young Naval Engineer. The day moved on and Prasad was now excitedly looking forward to joining the mighty Carrier.

    The taxi drove inside the historic Lion Gate of the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai and soon stopped at the check post of the Vikrant Jetty. The crisp salute from the Sentry and Lieutenant Prasad commenced his walk up the gangway of the Indian Navy’s pride. A ship of the majestic class- Vikrant’s keel (backbone) was manufactured in Nov 43. That’s right, during WWII. When the war got over, in May 45, she was 75% complete. She was then launched (into water) by Sep 45, but not commissioned as she was no longer needed.   And there she lay, a forlorn hull tied alongside at River Tyne, until India evinced interest in having an Aircraft Carrier (in Jan 57!) for our fledgling Navy. The yard workers at Belfast finally had some work on their hands. They put their skills into improving and completing the leviathan, whose blueprints were 15 years old. Finally in Mar 61, she was commissioned as INS Vikrant. When Prasad walked up the gangway, she was entering into her last Commission and her name Vikrant was embossed all over the Indian Navy. Many a new born of that era proudly shared the mighty ship’s name as it was her unique honour to become the first floating airport of the India. “So?” She was not a ‘second hand’ ship as some believed. Oh no Siree! She was first rate- the Indian Navy’s pride. She remained so, even after INS Viraat came on the scene.

Lieutenant Prasad had a spring in his walk as he crossed a mile inside the alleyways of the Carrier to present his credentials to the Engineering Officer and the Commanding Officer. The firm handshake began the bonhomie and the Ship’s Captain welcomed him to the Carrier. A great deal belongs onboard a Carrier to the Engineers- both Electrical and Mechanical. In spite of her age, INS Vikrant was living only for the punch she was still capable of delivering- ‘from the air’. She could carry 18-20 planes and helicopters. The Sea Harrier ‘Jumpjets’ were jet fighters capable of extending the fleet’s opeartions envelope. The Sea King Anti-Submarine Helicopters, were force multipliers in their anti-shipping role also. The small Chetak Helicopters were workhorses when it came to small hops of personnel and ‘Search And Rescue’ or SAR. This was force projection in it’s rawest form. There were numerous ‘SPRINGEX’ (anti-surface) and ‘SMASHEX’ (anti-submarine) exercises that would be conducted ‘somewhere in the Arabian Sea. INS Vikrant would have Destroyers, Frigates and Patrol vessels in a formation around her, with submarines, and IAF strike aircraft against her. She was the ‘Blue force’ and sometimes the ‘Red force’. At all times, SHE was the straight flush or the prize target - depending on which side you were. “That’s what you get, when you are the Prima Donna, the spotlight is always on you”, was the parting dialogue of the Carrier’s Commanding Officer to young Prasad. The challenge was to keep the machines of the Carrier- Rust Free.

Rust is another name for iron oxide, which occurs when iron or an alloy that contains iron, like steel, is exposed to oxygen and moisture for a long period of time. Over time, the oxygen combines with the metal at an atomic level, forming a new compound called an oxide and weakening the bonds of the metal itself. Although some people refer to rust generally as "oxidation," that term is much more general; although rust forms when iron undergoes oxidation, not all oxidation forms rust. Only iron or alloys that contain iron can rust, but other metals can corrode in similar ways. The main catalyst for the rusting process is water. Iron or steel structures might appear to be solid, but water molecules can penetrate the microscopic pits and cracks in any exposed metal. The hydrogen atoms present in water molecules can combine with other elements to form acids, which will eventually cause more metal to be exposed. On board any moving vehicle, the Rust becomes the biggest enemy of its eventual efficiency. If the rust can be kept at its bay, the moving machineries do perform to their optimal efficiency. A similar phenomenon happens in the humans too.  Part of the metabolic process in all cells generates a certain number of free radicals: substances with a strong tendency to tightly bind to other molecules in ways that corrupt or destroy them. Most of these free radicals contain oxygen, a highly reactive element the body uses to make energy. Once a molecule has been oxidized, the damage steadily spreads as unpaired electrons snag and corrupt other proteins. Research suggests that oxidation may be the major force behind aging.

The last Commission had begun and Carrier had to sail out. 24 hrs prior to the sailing, the boilers had to light up. As the fuel burned and gave off heat, steam was produced. The steam valves overhead would then be ‘slightly cracked open’ and the entire steam piping would be allowed to gradually be filled with steam and heat up. One by one, the thin drain tubes emanating from the overhead steam pipes, would be opened, to let out water that had condensed from the previous sailing. The engine room would look like ‘Dante’s inferno’ with hot water and clouds of steam billowing from the drains. The duty personnel, not to waste anything, would then take an Aluminium Kettle with milk powder, sugar and tea in it and make expresso tea! After sipping the first cuppa’, all four boilers would be ‘connected up’ to stabilise, and the rest of the equipment would be started. Young Prasad was amidst the thick of the action.

All engineers had their hands full, coaxing output from the 04 decades old systems on board. Majority of the systems and equipment were on the 4^th deck and below. Only the Flight Deck hydraulics was on the 2^nd deck. Most personnel were oblivious to the fascinating actions that were going on board and outside the carrier. Prasad’s duties were taking him to every nook and cranny of the vast carrier. So he was lucky enough to interact with each section and have a ‘bird’s eye view’ of what they were up to. Each one was concentrating on HIS ‘part of ship’.

Prasad used to give a deprecating snicker whenever he heard the phrase ‘Clean and brasso every inch of your part of ship’. His FFO tanks, Diesel tanks, water tight compartments, pumps, fuel lines, fire spray lines, compartment flooding lines, were dispersed all throughout the 700 foot ship. On 12 decks and 16 sections of the mighty carrier! The whole ship was now his ‘part of the ship’. He could see where the Rust began and he had to counter its origin to keep the mighty propellers to move the behemoth called Vikrant.

The last Commission of the Ship is as nostalgic as its First Commission. Mighty Vikrant had received orders for its one last sailing. All over the floating airport, the personnel had come on board and taken their ‘watch stations’. There were Air Handlers, Cooks, Divers, Engineering Mechanics, Electrical Mechanics, Navigators, Gunners, Pharmacists, Radio Operators, Storekeepers, Shipwrights and Writers. One hour before, ‘Check ship for Sea & Action’ on the main broadcast was sounded. One by one, the guns, the communication sets, radars, the engines and ‘Main Switch Board’ were tested- ‘Checked and found correct Sir’. INS Vikrant was now ready to set sail. The activity now shifted to the harbour where other ships would also be taking action. It was an emotional moment as the mighty Carrier waited one last time for the Fleet ships to move out. The Minesweepers moved first, checking that the channel was clear of threats, with their sonar gear and minesweeping cutters. One by one, all the Destroyers and Frigates casted off, and moved outside Mumbai Harbour and waited. INS Vikrant was the last to cast off, with a couple of tugs standby to pull and push the leviathan. Crisp Naval salutes were being exchanged and moist eyes from the Dockyard personnel bade farewell to the ship- a Jewel in the Navy’s Fleet. Once she was outside Mumbai harbour, the fleet ships formed a screen around her and the Fleet sailed to higher seas. The machinery on-board each of these ships were gleaming and rust free.

Some 5 miles out at sea, the huge ‘Sea King’ Helicopters from the ‘Harpoon’ squadron landed on her flight deck- while she was ‘facing into the wind’ to recover them. After recovery, the fleet set course to Goa, where the Sea Harrier Jump jets, the ‘White tigers’ embarked on the carrier. Mighty Vikrant was now battle ready for all exercises! Well-oiled and greased, her boilers were churning out steam to keep the mission powered up. Young Prasad, by now, was a backbone of the mighty Carrier’s Boiler Room Department. His inquisitive spirit and lean physique helped him to reach each and every nook and corner of the Engine Rooms. His vibrant team ensured that the Ship met all its missions with élan and ease. Vikrant gave the Navy the strength to sleep restfully and to dream. All throughout the sleepless nights, with constant watches and duties, the rushed meals, the blaring of the action alarm at odd times, Prasad always erupted into a quick smile as he heard the roar of a plane taking off from the flight deck, and the vibration could be felt right down to the fourth deck where he stood his ground.

Somehow, that bustling activity and whine of engines on the flight deck made every bead of sweat, every missed meal, and every lost minute of sleep- worth it. So for every ‘Ops time’, Prasad had a simple saying “I’m loving it.” He had kept his Ship rust free and his machines moved when he desired. Keeping the machinery rust free keeps the humans in control of the proceedings. As the Carrier met the last sortie with precision, Prasad wondered as to what will happen when the boilers are shut down for one last time. Will rust take over this mighty platform and engulf it into its chemistry’s eruptions? He knew that at the end of the sailing, he was getting transferred to INS Viraat- the Second Aircraft Carrier of the Indian Navy. The pains of maintaining a rust free environment paid dividends when Vikrant took the centre stage in the Fleet formation. The greased overalls of the engineering mechanics and their tools were all over on the testimonials of Vikrant’s accomplishments at sea.

Vikrant turned inside the harbour and shut down its boilers for the last time. The old warhorse was being devoid of power as one by one its systems shut down never to power up again. She had finally come to rest at the orders of her human masters. The life of mighty Vikrant is something similar to a human’s life too. We end up getting powered each day to accomplish life’s missions. The energy levels inside the humans vary and adrenaline has to be pumped before a mission is met. The humans also need to keep themselves rust free if they have to perform and achieve the aims. The attitude of young Lieutenant Prasad is a helpful catalyst to keep the rust at bay in human minds and physiology. Who does not have pains and glitches? Mighty Vikrant had many, but it was human ingenuity which kept it going beyond her age. If humans can do it for the machines, then they can do the same for themselves too. Biology is more complicated than humans can anticipate. The fight should be to keep the cells Rust free. After all, the life does not stop even when the rust catches on, life is a beautiful game and continues even with rust firmly in control of the human temple. All that humans need is to keep the free radicals under check and fight the rust. Keep the Rust at bay, fight on and let the mind and body be in coordination. Let the young Lieutenant Prasad attitude in you keep charging at life and keep rust at bay. Do not forget, Rust- Is the Beginning of a New Life.  Recollect for every ‘Ops time’, Prasad had a simple saying “I’m loving it”. Keep the sleeves rolled up and keep loving every moment of life till the Master decides otherwise. Cheers to life, with or without rust- let us face it and enjoy its music. So, will you shed the Rust?  

WILLIAMSON'S TURN

Captain James had just taken over the command of his new ship. It was a heavy cruiser and James has had goose bumps when he saluted the Ship’s Ensign to confirm his Command of the majestic Ship. Battle cruisers are sub-types of capital ships, and may be defined as ““Surface vessels of war, other than capital ships or aircraft carriers, the standard displacement of which is less than 10,000 tons (10,160 metric tons) and which exceeds 1,850 tons (1,880 metric tons), or with a gun above 5.1 inch (130 mm) calibre. The cruiser category is divided into two sub-categories, Heavy cruisers carrying a gun above 6.1 inch (155 mm) caliber and Light cruisers carrying a gun not above 6.1 inch (155 mm) calibre.”
 

James’ Cruiser was armed with torpedo tubes, and had a top speed of around 30 knots. The ship was designed to mix speed with range, endurance and firepower, and was expected to be able to out-run any ship they it couldn’t out-fight. Smaller than a battleship, the heavy cruiser could mix fire-power with punch. The World War – II was raging on and the cruisers had a role to play in the Big Game. Captain James had a young crew and most of them had joined the new ship from other ships and establishments. The crew had got down to work themselves up and to reach the sailing standards. The heat of the War had reached the propellers of each ship worth sailing and no sooner James and his Ship were underway to the mighty Pacific Ocean’s battlefield. The Pearl Harbor massacre had just got over and the serious battle had begun.

The Ship proved its design during the sea trials and a young 18 year old Sailor was the first one to get a chance to fire the Ships’s massive big gun. The 09 guns of the cruiser fired simultaneously and the battle readiness was announced. The Ship set sail for its patrol area and to meet any challenge. Captain James stood on the bridge and was in full control of his mighty ship. He only had one worry on his brow- his young crew. The times did not afford James a well-oiled Ship’s Company and the challenge now was in James’ court to lead the ship into the raging battle. His Ship had charted course for an area infested with enemy Submarines and Sharks. The Submarines were routinely blowing holes in Men of War (Ships) and many a sea going Captains were having sleepless nights as Submarine alarms went onboard their ships. James had joined their bandwagon along with his large crew.

The life onboard a battle ship at sea resembles a human’s life. The action never remains still and times do not freeze. The ships at sea are constantly in action and practice to achieve perfection never ceases. Each soul onboard the ship gets exercised to achieve his standards and to contribute his bit when the prime action unfolds. The hum of the machinery keeps the humans on their toes and everyone has to contribute with their might to achieve the victory. Something similar happens in the life of the humans as each part of the body has to be kept well-oiled and nimble to meet the challenges of individual life. In a family, all the constituent individuals conjoin their efforts to achieve unified success. Individual successes leave tired souls whilst collective success leaves a well settled family.

Captain James began exercising his crew in the right earnest. He had laid out an extensive plan for the Ship’s Company to achieve perfect harmony before action strikes. The drills and emergencies were constantly being exercised to get the crew into a cohesive state. The day had broken brightly and the ship was getting exercised. The sea was also in an excited state and the region was infested with Sharks. The guns were being tried out when Leading Seaman Woody lost his balance and went overboard. As he fell into the Pacific waters, the Man Overboard alarms went off. Captain James rushed onto the Bridge and young Lieutenant Marsh had started executed a Williamson’s Turn. The massive ship had to be brought upwind of the overboard sailor.

The Williamson turn is a maneuver used to bring a ship or boat under power back to a point it previously passed through, often for the purpose of recovering a man overboard. It was named for John Williamson, USNR, who used it in 1943. However, according to Uncommon Carriers by John McPhee, the maneuver was originally called the Butakov pipe and was used in the Russo-Japanese War as a way of keeping guns at the same distance from an enemy. The propellers had to be stopped well clear of the man.

Captain James quickly analyzed the situation and saw the chart positions. He gave his nod to Lieutenant Marsh and just observed the proceedings. Marsh had ordered rudder over full towards Leading Seaman Woody. As the heavy cruiser responded to the rudders, Marsh calculated deviation from the original course. As he touched 60 degrees deviation mark, Marsh shifted the rudder full to the opposite side. The ship’s bows cut mercilessly into the cold water. As the cruiser came 20 degrees short of the reciprocal, Marsh put the rudder amidships and the ship gained onto the reciprocal course. The order for shutting the propulsion was given and Woody was onboard before the Sharks could get a whiff of his blood. Shaken but not stirred, Woody was taken to the warmth of the Ship and Marsh received Captain James orders to commence the journey to its target zone. The Ship’s Company had performed a live act and the crew bonding was amply displayed as the recovery was carried out. Captain James had maintained his calm during the entire maneuver and other than the nod and his eye contact with Lieutenant Marsh, he had not spoken a word during the entire episode. Captain James and his men had gelled into a cohesive unit. 

Lieutenant Marsh and the Executive Officer (2^nd in Command) Lieutenant Commander Bennett sat down for the dinner with the Captain that evening. James was not a man of few words and a stiff upper lip. He appreciated young Marsh for his presence of mind and perfect execution of the Williamson’s Turn. The discussion veered towards the imminent action that the ship was likely to face in the coming days and Bennett was a bit worried about the new crew’s performance. James calmed his deputy’s nerves and advised that the Ship’s Company be kept exercised for all the possible actions that could unfold. He elucidated the hard work put in by the ship builders and war torn country’s industry to get the cruiser into water and the expectations from the ship’s guns. Bennett and Marsh acknowledged the Captain’s advice and the ship sailed deep into the Pacific Ocean as the night unfolded.

Across the huge expanses of the Pacific, the two most powerful navies in the world were locking themselves up in a death-to-finish struggle. The war was spreading in every possible climate, from Arctic conditions in the Aleutians, to the appalling heat and swelter of the South Pacific. Every conceivable type of naval activity was represented: carrier aviation battles, surface engagements, bitterly fought night-fights, the largest amphibious landings of the entire war, and the stealthy, brutal battles waged by and against submarines. James and his ship were soon going to enter into the spread of war and the young Captain had many thoughts grazing his mind. He was all over the ship and his handshake stories became the galley talks amongst his crew. He would greet each of his men with a broad smile and a pat on the young and old backs. He had started pushing his new team for a leadership at all levels and guided the Officers and men to take charge of the situations in their arena. James understood one thing very clearly- the raging battle would consume either the enemy or his ship and he wanted each men onboard the heavy cruiser to engage in everything that went onboard from drills, emergencies to combat moves. The young crew of James ship began to respond to his leader-leader theory.

James’ ship joined a squadron in the area tasked with interdicting any enemy resupply convoys to the area. On a clear morning and with unforgiving cold sea, this task group found what they were seeking, but got more than they bargained for. An enemy convoy of two transports was coming north, escorted by eight warships, including two heavy and two light cruisers. What followed was one of the more 'pure' long-range naval gunfire engagements of the war.

The enemy ships were far more superior and nimble. The enemy ships had sailed in a pattern and the initial engagement resembled as if the Fox had arrived in the Chicken’s coop. The young crew of James’s ship was excited as the guns prepared for their pound of steel. The day grew brighter and along with it appeared the huge enemy task force. The Fox was now turning into the chicken. The option was very clear- barrel down till you go down. James passed down a cut message to his crew- Begin with End in Mind. The cruiser was cutting the Pacific water line at almost 30 knots and the battle positions were drawn. The enemy ships were firing all guns and each change of position by Executive Officer Bennett was where the last enemy shell fell. Bennett sought advice from James and James advised him to follow his instincts. As the ship swung on its side, yet another shell landed into the merciless water.

The ships’ machinery was taking the toll of the high speed maneuvers and it was the time when a shell landed on James ship. The deadly explosion ripped steel frames and casualties were born. The young crew worked hard to keep ships’ buoyancy into a stable position for its own guns to return the fire-power. The guns blazed away to glory and each hand on ship was moving on his own to meet the mission. The listing ship kept pounding its guns on the enemy and its sister ship created a smoke screen to hide it from the enemy’s gaze. James ordered a steaming coffee for himself as his guns kept sliding out powder from their barrels.

As the smoke screen lifted, the enemy ships were seen moving out towards the horizon. They had just given up on the battle and were retreating. The success of the guns and their continued firing from behind the smoke screen saved the day for James and his ship. The limping ship was safely brought back to the harbor and earned laurel for a spirited fight against a larger enemy. The battle was fought with minimum of intervention from James who just ensured that each one of his Officers and Men took the actions that were required.

James did not give orders, he had conversations with his team. He ensured that he only certified what they briefed to him. He held their hands warmly and patted their backs as they took control of the situations. In the end, James’ team came out of the battle unscathed. Something similar happens in the life of each human. We also end up operating in various teams in our own personal and professional lives. We have teams at home, at offices, with our friends, with our business associates, our social networks et. al. Each team demands a leader who can give the correct control to his team members. The orders should have a room for correct questioning and conversations. Teams need to work on long-term strategies and should remain curious till the end is not achieved. Monitoring and inspections necessarily do not increase efficiency and many a times stifle courage and conviction. James led with control, competence and clarity. He was the source of power which gave power to his crew. The response- A Battle Well Fought Against a Superior Enemy.

We all have the capability to carry out a Williamson’s Turn in our own lives. Life does have its own tricks up its sleeves and many an initiatives will fall down. Who then stops us from carrying out the turn, head on to the reciprocal course, shut the propulsion and recover the initiative. Come on look ahead, the rudder is very much under your control.