Re: Tall tales (and true)

["Chris Stratton" <stratton.chris.cp@nospam.bhp.com.au>]

"Derick Wuen" <cullend@webone.com.au> wrote in message
38d8ab66@iridium.webone.com.au">news:38d8ab66@iridium.webone.com.au...
>
> Paul wrote in message <01bf918f$47c050c0$d2d68ec6@mpx.mpx.com.au>...
> >Anybody got any good "tall stories"
>
> <snip>
>
> There we were on the night shift at Darling Harbour and Pyrmont in the
> 1950's, riding the shunter's trucks and directing the crew of the 19 class
> put and take trucks from all over the yard, including the wharf tracks. It
> was a cold dark damp night and the yard lighting was on the murky side of
> dim. Towards the end of the shift we had to shunt a loaded S truck onto
> Pyrmont No 21. It was uncoupled and given a shove by the 19. It rolled
onto
> the wharf, when the shunter designated to apply the yard brake tripped on
> some junk and fell over, thankfully clear of the wheels. The S truck
rolled
> on, and oh s**t over the stop block at the end of the wharf and into the
> water.
>
> Shunters, driver, fireman all gathered around the end of the wharf
> unhappily. None of us could work out how to explain the disappearance of a
> loaded S truck, or pass it off as a mere trifle. Nothing for it.... it was
> reported to the SM's office.
>
> Next day we gathered around the end of No 21 to watch the diver (rubber
> suit, metal helmet, airlines, pumping gear, lead boots and all) who had
been
> sent to "ascertain the whereabouts" of the errant S truck. He descended
all
> bubbly into the oily murk which passed for water in Darling Harbour. He
was
> down for about 5 minutes when he reappeared. We helped haul him out and
> opened the little window on his helmet.... well? we all asked did you find
> it?
>
> What number was your S truck?  he asked. Why the effing hell do you need
to
> know that? we replied. Well, he said I need to know the number to tell
yours
> from the other three which are down there.
>
>
If you substitute Port Kembla and No6 Jetty for Pyrmont and No21, I've heard
the exact same story.
--
Regards,
Chris Stratton
Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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