The Vintage Ursula Jacket Story
Captain George Phillips, commander of the Royal Navy's HMS Ursula, and one of the most decorated submariners of his day, was unhappy with the standard pre-war issue foul weather gear which consisted of oil skins, hats and towels wrapped around the necks. Watchkeeping onboard submarines could be quite a physical ordeal in rough weather, with the submarine bridge being only a few feet above the sea level.
Lieutenant Lakin, the Ursula's navigating officer was a keen motorcyclist who wore a one-piece over-suit made by Barbour. Phillips told him to wear it while he doused him with a fire hose. Despite the force of the water, Lakin remained dry. Phillips decided that the suit, with a few alterations, might be the answer for submarine lookouts and bridge personnel.
Phillips visited the Barbour factory in South Shields and persuaded them to cut the motorcycle suit in two and the upper part became the Ursula jacket which was worn by submariners throughout the war.
The Ursula jacket has been faithfully recreated from the original in a tough heavyweight Durawax with large bellows pockets and belt.
More about the HMS Ursula. |
