Bronington was fitted with Napier Deltics, both for propulsion and the m/s genny
(minesweeping generator) in 1959, I joined just as she was coming out of Rosyth Dockyard
hands. There was only two engine room hands aboard, myself as an ME 1 and a Chief Mech. Syd Millen, he was a good 'un. We lived at Cochrane until the rest of the crew joined.
Anyway, we put to sea on sea trials and during the day a fault developed in the starboard gearbox. The bridge was notified and the CO ordered us to shut down the STBD engine. The STBD engine was shut down and we returned to Rosyth on the port engine.
My 'specials' station was in the MCR (Main Control Room) taking down the
manoeuvring movements. The telegraphs rang for slow ahead STBD, then Stop STBD, slow astern STBD and eventually full astern STBD.
The Chief Mech all this time was trying to get through to the Bridge to tell them the STBD engine had been shut down and we were steaming on the PORT engine.
He got through and was immediately ordered to put the PORT engine full astern. This we did.
The screws had just started to 'bite' when we hit the dock wall at approximately 7 knots.
It later transpired that the STBD shaft revolution indicator was wired up to the PORT repeater and vice versa.
As you know, the 'Coniston's' had a very high bow and the berthing party saw Bronington bearing down on them with great speed and they
promptly took to their heels.
I did hear later that the CO leant over the bridge and shouted to the Fo'c'sle Officer to "do something" which he did.... gave the order "let go both anchors".
We spent six weeks in the floating dock repairing the bows.... happy days.