Hunt Class Destroyer - L35 HMS Cattistock.  Happy to say she survived the war.

I was a helmsman on American destroyers during the 1960s. It's interesting to see how the RN does it. It was fun during periods of anti submarine exercises where the was a lot of full rudder at high speed. In a hard turn a destroyer lists 20 or more degrees. In heavy weather it can be as much as 45°. Sometimes you are hanging on the wheel to keep your footing. Going alongside a tanker or carrier to refuel takes a lot of concentration. Often you are steering courses by the 1/2 or 1/4 degree.

Some 30 years after this was made, I joined the RN as a seaman. The orders were even more formalised than this but it was largely the same, but we never just swapped the helmsman. We needed bridge permission to do that, and once a new helmsman took the wheel he reported to the bridge the course and speed, engine telegraph positions and revolutions, so that the bridge knew he had got it right. He also gave the bridge his rating and name so the OOW knew which crew member it was. We used an electronic intercom but the voice pipes were still there if needed. "Following the Lubber's Line" was really tricky during training but we got it eventually. There was a simple rule: If the course you want is to Port, then you steered to Port. If the course was to Starboard then you steered to Starboard. Eventually it became second nature.

An instructional film made to a high standard with most of the content  still relevant today on any motorship. The mood and focus of the crew members is well presented, and polished with a clipped British accent  on the commentary. The RN knew how to make very good films.

"The Captain's forgotten more than you'll ever learn!" Hahaha... love it.

My late father - WWII Royal Navy and service before then - spent some 3 years on Minesweepers/Layers in the North Sea and around Northern Scotland. He used to tell me how dedicated the young Matelots carrying out helm duties were. He used to say that as an instructor, he held in one hand a bucket (for the novice's vomit!) and in the other, a 'hank' of bread - so that the poor buggers would have something to throw up so as to not to damage their guts!

Still amazes me that they could leave Oahu, sail straight for Kwajalein with no more than paper charts, observation, compass and a watch; then flip on the radar (first look outside due to weather in this case) and boom - there it was - exactly as expected.  Respect.

Left hand down a bit! Ah, no, right hand up a bit!

*sounds of Povey fuming on the dockside *

How wonderful these instructional films haven't been lost.    Thank you so much for posting.

Used all most the same orders in my merchant navy days but we left the 'Sir' out..  And  the 'wheel' was often just a little lever. even on a 300,000 tonner.. My Wife sailed with me a few times when I was a 2nd/Chief Officer.. She got her 'Steering ticket' on an 80,000 ton bulk carrier.. You had to do 10 hours total wheel time to get it . She wrote her name astern the first few goes.. but became a good helmswoman.. the certificate said :
Has met the requirements laid down in Regulations
the standards of competence specified in section ...
and has completed a minimum of 10 hours steering in open waters and 10
hours steering in pilotage waters on a seagoing ship of 500 gt or more.
Knowledge, understanding and proficiency in the use of magnetic and gyro
compasses and the changeover from automatic pilot to hand steering and
vice versa has been demonstrated. The seafarer can understand and
acknowledge helm orders given in the English language in a clear and
concise manner.
Signature of Captain..

That CPO is a legend.

As a Master Helmsman, this video is concise and cogent in the presentation of the subject. Well done RN.

Was a trained Helmsman on USS Semmes DDG 18 and USS Cape Cod AD 43.

I like that they got Stan and Ollie to do this film.

These videos are so instructional, so valuable material for a sailor's education. I wish I had been able to see these videos when I was at maritime high school.

Very interesting, my father was on the Cattistock and ended the war as a helmsman on the carrier HMS Indomitable.

When I was testing for my Commercial Driver's license (CDL). I repeated the testers command and she got mad that was doing that and asked if I had hearing issues. I told her I was ex military and you repeat orders so that you can confirm what was said was correct. After a while she liked it. So yes. Turn right at the next traffic light. Turn right at the next traffic light.

id say the outtakes would have been golden.love these old military videos

Was Boatswain's mate on USS BADGER FF - 1071 from 1981 to 1986. My general quarters spot was Helmsmen. I sure miss it!

Can't help thinking in real life, that three badger would have used slightly more 'salty' descriptive language...... LOL