QE2 Boiler incident at "the Yard" (John Brown's)

[Lynda Bradford]

John Lester sent the story about this incident that happened when boiler tests were being carried out at "the Yard"  I can just imagine the language used and just as well that  Ron Bateson had taken the action that he did. 

Memories, not always good but I do remember an incident seen while in the control room under the John Brown staff responsibility. Tests on the automated switch to electro feed pumps should the main feedpumps fail.

Simulated failure instigated the many people waiting or the automatics to work ,watching on monitors ,the water level in the boilers slowly dropping-

- BUT!!!!Nothing!!! Level dropping getting to the level that would result in tubes melting, total boiler failure, Bman and others, white faced panic, shouting many unwritten languages!!!!!!

BUT come the day, come the man, RON BATESON

He knew the engine and boiler room like the back of his hand, shot out of the control room, to the deaerator and opened valves preventing the system working. SUCCESS THE PUMPS WORKED water levels rising utter relief by all especially the Bman, the day and QE2 survived to carry on.

I may not have it exact but my memory at 88 years is not what it used to be KING RON BATESON!!!!!!!

[Rod]

I know nothing of this incident at all.

But Batesons actions and the results do not surprise me at all!