Arthur Whelan HMS Hood Part 2

1923

01–06 January: Still at Devonport. Travelled to Portland on 06 January. Conducted action stations exercises En-route Also conducted inclination exercises with H.M.S. Resolution.

06–10 January : At Portland. Departed with Atlantic Fleet for Gibraltar on 10 January.

10 January–31March:Spring Cruise to Spain and Mediterranean:


10–15 January: En-route to Gibraltar. Conducted evasion and engagement exercises, Exercise involved engagements against battleships, cruisers and submarines. Hood was "hit" by torpedoes resulting in a negative grade.

15 January–01 February: At Gibraltar. While there, conducted crew drills, sub-calibre practice, gunnery exercises (day and night) plus torpedo exercises in co-operation with Repulse. While conducting night firings, employed star shell and search lights. Also exercised steam pinnace crews plus cleaned and painted the ship. On 31 January, discharged PO Thomas Broad (alias Coombis) who died as the result of an acute haemorrhage of the pancreas. At Devonport. Exercised fire stations. Cleaned and provisioned ship. Gave leave to both watches. Travelled to Málaga on 01 February. While en-route, conducted submarine exercise in conjunction with H.M.S. Repulse and H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth.

01–06 February: At Málaga. Cleaned ship, conducted boat/pinnace training plus exercised gunnery programme. On 05 February, Squadron at Home to residents of Malaga.

06–07 February: Travelled to Cartagena with Repulse. Conducted WT trials with Repulse while en-route.

07–08 February: At Cartagena. Saluted numerous dignitaries.

08–16 February: At Valencia. Tested life buoys, practised handling of various anchors. Conducted additional boat practice.On 14 February Squadron at home to residents of Valencia.

16–17 February: En-route to Gibraltar. Carried out 5.5" throw-off firing with Repulse, plus conducted antisubmarine exercises while under way.

17 February–24 March: While in Gibraltar, Hood's company took part in a march/review first for the Rear Admiral commanding the Battle Cruiser Squadron, then again for the Commander-in Chief, Atlantic Fleet. Additional cleaning of ship.

24–26 March: En route to Arousa Bay

26–31 March: At Arousa Bay. Departed for Devonport on 31 March.

31 March–3 April: En route to Devonport.

03–21 April: At Devonport.

21–23 April: En route to Rosyth.

23 April–12 May: At Rosyth. Taken in hand for docking 23 April-11 May.

12–14 May: En route to Devonport.