One of the comments tells the rest of the story:

"In 2007, Britain’s National Archives released a number of Royal Navy files, and the second inquiry report was finally made public. Noting that Watson had completed only 75 percent of his training before he had been sent to sea, the board blamed Watson’s inexperience, and his commanders for assigning him an airplane “not fully prepared for the sortie,” a reference to radio problems. Nonetheless, Watson was reprimanded and given a desk job.

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you...

...Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

A desk job? That really sucks, he must have saved the British government a cool million dollars or (or like 6 pounds, 7 quid these days) and some shame by landing it on a boat rather then crashing it out at sea.>> ^oritteropo:

One of the comments tells the rest of the story:
"In 2007, Britain’s National Archives released a number of Royal Navy files, and the second inquiry report was finally made public. Noting that Watson had completed only 75 percent of his training before he had been sent to sea, the board blamed Watson’s inexperience, and his commanders for assigning him an airplane “not fully prepared for the sortie,” a reference to radio problems. Nonetheless, Watson was reprimanded and given a desk job.

*80s

Adding video to channels (80s) - requested by ant.

A quid and a pound are the same thing. Pence are cents to the british.

>> ^sme4r:

A desk job? That really sucks, he must have saved the British government a cool million dollars or (or like 6 pounds, 7 quid these days) and some shame by landing it on a boat rather then crashing it out at sea.

>> ^sme4r:

A desk job? That really sucks, he must have saved the British government a cool million dollars or (or like 6 pounds, 7 quid these days) and some shame by landing it on a boat rather then crashing it out at sea.>> ^oritteropo:
One of the comments tells the rest of the story:
"In 2007, Britain’s National Archives released a number of Royal Navy files, and the second inquiry report was finally made public. Noting that Watson had completed only 75 percent of his training before he had been sent to sea, the board blamed Watson’s inexperience, and his commanders for assigning him an airplane “not fully prepared for the sortie,” a reference to radio problems. Nonetheless, Watson was reprimanded and given a desk job.



Well sort of, He saved the plane (Good) he saved his life (Great job) but as for money.

When the Alraigo, with the jet atop the containers, docked at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a horde of reporters was on hand. The ship’s crew and owners filed a salvage claim and were awarded some £570,000 ($1.14 million at the time) as compensation for the “rescue.” When Watson returned to the Illustrious, a Board of Inquiry essentially did nothing. But when the Illustrious returned to port, Watson underwent a second Board of Inquiry.

It kind of sucks that the Capt of the cargo ship was more interested in the salvage claim than anything else. (This is my personal opinion and it may be that the capt was a good guy but instead of waiting for the royal navy he made damn sure he got to a friendly port to guarantee his money.)

Nonetheless, Watson was reprimanded and given a desk job.

It was even more embarrassing when Watson's desk landed on the same ship a year later.

*quality

Boosting this quality contribution up in the Hot Listing - declared quality by MycroftHomlz.

>> ^skinnydaddy1:

>> ^sme4r:
A desk job? That really sucks, he must have saved the British government a cool million dollars or (or like 6 pounds, 7 quid these days) and some shame by landing it on a boat rather then crashing it out at sea.>> ^oritteropo:
One of the comments tells the rest of the story:
"In 2007, Britain’s National Archives released a number of Royal Navy files, and the second inquiry report was finally made public. Noting that Watson had completed only 75 percent of his training before he had been sent to sea, the board blamed Watson’s inexperience, and his commanders for assigning him an airplane “not fully prepared for the sortie,” a reference to radio problems. Nonetheless, Watson was reprimanded and given a desk job.


Well sort of, He saved the plane (Good) he saved his life (Great job) but as for money.
When the Alraigo, with the jet atop the containers, docked at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a horde of reporters was on hand. The ship’s crew and owners filed a salvage claim and were awarded some £570,000 ($1.14 million at the time) as compensation for the “rescue.” When Watson returned to the Illustrious, a Board of Inquiry essentially did nothing. But when the Illustrious returned to port, Watson underwent a second Board of Inquiry.
It kind of sucks that the Capt of the cargo ship was more interested in the salvage claim than anything else. (This is my personal opinion and it may be that the capt was a good guy but instead of waiting for the royal navy he made damn sure he got to a friendly port to guarantee his money.)


Do you have any idea how much a Harrier costs?

Even if that ship had went to the navy with it. They'd have to take him to port to unload it in any case more than likely. But I am sure there was also damage to the ship, containers.........plus they lost however much time it took them to reroute for the plane delivery AND the time lost unloading the ship.

Even if he hadn't filed claims for salvage on the plane he'd probably be pretty close to that amount in fuel/time/damage. Plus what would they have done to him if he told the guy to fuck off when he wanted to land on the ship? It could have just as easily went really wrong and punched a hole in the ship killing them all.

*dead

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