‘Cammell Laird from the River’ oil on board by R. A. Edwards, 1960.
Tag Archives: Cammell Laird
“On this day in history” HMS Gravelines placed in commission, 1946
“On this day in history” 14 June 1946, Royal Navy Battle-class destroyer HMS Gravelines (D24) was placed in commission.
Ordered in the 1942 naval estimates, Gravelines was built at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, and launched in November 1944. She was not completed until 1946 (RN priorities towards the end of the war did not call for her immediate completion, and indeed many other Battle-class orders were cancelled) and after acceptance trails she was placed immediately in the Reserve Fleet.
In 1949, Gravelines was brought out of reserve and joined 3rd Destroyer Flotilla serving in the Mediterranean with her sister ships HMS Armada (D14), HMS Vigo (D31), and HMS Saintes (D84). Based in Malta, the flotilla served in continuation with the Mediterranean Fleet based in Malta.
In 1951, Gravelines was detached for service East of Suez, serving at Basra during a crisis over proposals for Iraqi oil nationalization.
Gravelines was in reserve again from 1953 to 1955, when she rejoined 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, serving with the Home Fleet.
In 1958, Gravelines commenced a refit at Devonport, but this was cancelled and she was laid up pending disposal. Gravelines was scrapped at Rosyth in 1961.
“On this day in history” HMSM Saga placed in commision, 1945
“On this day in history” 14 June 1945, Royal Navy S-class submarine HMSM Saga (P257) placed in commission.
HMSM Saga underway. (IWM FL18545)
Saga was built at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead and launched in March 1945. She left the builder’s yard in June, and commissioned at Holy Loch on 14 June 1945, Lt P. Thirsk, RNR commanding.
Saga‘s Royal Navy service was short. She was still undergoing working up trails at Scapa Flow and Holy Loch when the war with Japan ended. On 10 February 1946, Saga collided with the fishing vessel Girl Lena in the English Channel, causing the trawler to sink.
In 1948, Saga was sold to Portugal and renamed NRP Nautilo. She continued to serve in the Marinha de Guerra Portuguesa until 1969.
“On this day in history” Royal Navy battleship HMS Mars placed in commission, 1897
On this day in history 8 June 1897, the Royal Navy Majestic-class battleship HMS Mars was placed in commission.
HMS Mars underway, 1898.
Built by Laird Brothers, Birkenhead, Mars was a pre-dreadnought battleship carrying main armament of four Vickers 12-inch Mk VIII guns mounted in twin turrets. Secondary armament included twelve QF 6-inch guns mounted in casemates and twelve QF 12-pounder guns.
Mars served in the Portsmouth Division of the Channel Fleet and took part in the Fleet Review for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and for Edward VII’s Coronation in 1902.
HMS Mars departing Portsmouth, 1901.
During the First World War, Mars served as guard ship on the Humber, then transferred to the Dover Patrol. In 1915, she had her main armament removed and recommissioned as a troopship for service in the Dardanelles campaign. Later, she served as an accommodation ship at Invergordon. Mars was sold for scrap in 1921.
Accomodation ships Algiers, Akbar (former Temeraire), and Mars at Invergordon.
Photo tour of HMS Edinburgh at decommissioning, May 2013
Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97) berthed alongside museum ship HMS Belfast in the Pool of London, May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Bulkhead hatch on No. 1 deck on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Machinery control room on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. The machinery control room contains the controls for the propulsion and power, gearing, water plants and air conditioning systems. Photo Richard Ash, IWM.
Machinery control room on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo Richard Ash, IWM.
Machinery control room on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo Richard Ash, IWM.
Junior Rates dining room on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo Richard Ash, IWM.
Communication Operator’s Console in HQ1 on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Close-up view of a panel on the Communication Operators Console in HQ1 on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
HQ1 (communications centre and damage control HQ) on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view looking forward along port side of No. 2 deck on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Heads on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Wardroom on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
The formal dining table in the Wardroom on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97). Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Forward engine room on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Forward engine room on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97). Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Captain’s cabin on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Pantry off Captain’s day cabin on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Captain’s day cabin on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Captain’s day cabin on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
A view of the board detailing which junior rates are on or off ship and who is on leave. Displayed by the gangway on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
The deployed Westland Lynx HMA.8 helicopter of No 815 Naval Air Squadron secured to the flight deck of Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. In front of the helicopter is a GEC Marconi Stingray air-launched, anti-submarine torpedo in a transportation trolley. To the side is a drill MBDA Sea Skua air to surface, anti-ship missile. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Cockpit of the Westland Lynx HAS.8 helicopter of 815 Naval Air Squadron deployed on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Cockpit of the Westland Lynx HAS.8 helicopter of 815 Naval Air Squadron which was deployed on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
A general view from the flight deck looking forward towards the hangar on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97). The hangar is decorated / arranged for the purposes of entertaining and briefing visitors to the ship during an open day. In usual usage the hangar would house the deployed Westland Lynx HMA.8 helicopter. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Communications Control Room (low power) within the Communications Office of the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Close up view of a panel in the Communications Control Room (low power) within the Communications Office of the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Chief Petty Officers’ and Warrant Officers’ Mess on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Chief Petty Officers’ and Warrant Officers’ Mess on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Officer’s single berth cabin on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view of the bunkspace in Messdeck 3S on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97). Messdeck 3S (three-sierra) was home to forty-two Weapons Engineering (WE) or Communications Information Systems (CIS) ratings. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view of the bunkspace in Messdeck 3S on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97). Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view of the bunkspace in Messdeck 3S on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97). Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view of the bunkspace in Messdeck 3S on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97). Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
The mess square for messdeck 3S on board Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Messdeck 3S (three-sierra) was home to forty two Weapons Engineering (WE) or Communications Information Systems (CIS) ratings. The mess square would be used for rest, recreation and socialising. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Workstation and consoles in the After 909 Office on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97). This was one of two compartments which housed the machinery for the ship’s two Type 909 fire control radar sets used in conjunction with the ship’s Sea Dart guided missile weapon system. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Close up of a panel in the After 909 Office on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Transmitter in the after 909 Office on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Workstation and consoles in the After 909 Office on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97). Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Close up of a panel in the After 909 Office on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Inside the dome for the After 909 radar on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM
Inside the dome for the After 909 radar on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Ship’s Office on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. The office is where general administrative duties were carried out including arranging travel warrants, foreign currency during overseas tours, pay and all personnel issues. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
The galley on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. The galley would provide three meals per day at set times for the ships company of approximately 269, served canteen messing style in the Junior Rates dining room, the Senior Rates dining room and the Wardroom. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
The galley on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
The galley on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Operations Room on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), Mary 2013. The nerve centre for the ship the Operations Room contains the Captain’s position, Navigators position, the Principal Weapons Officer’s position, the weapons and radar control systems, the Tactical Firing position and the aircraft controllers station. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Operations Room on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Operations Room on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Operations Room on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Operations Room on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Operations Room on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Operations Room on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Sick Bay on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. At most times two medical assistants worked here. When the ship was on tour for extended periods of time, a medical officer was also present. The role of the medical staff was preventative medicine and hygiene, monitoring of the environmental conditions on board as well as providing first aid and basic remedies for minor illness. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Fleet Protection Office on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. This room was used by members of Fleet Protection Group, Royal Marines (latterly called 43 Commando Royal Marines) when embarked on the ship during patrols for counter-piracy or anti-drug smuggling operations. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view of the Sea Dart Quarters of the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Within this room mechanical control and maintenance of the Sea Dart anti-air missile system, the ship’s principal weapon system, is managed. Fire control for the weapon is directed from the Operations Room. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
Sea Dart Quarters of the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view of a section of the 4.5″ gunbay on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Inside the barbette of the ship’s 4.5 inch Mark 8 Mod 1 gun. Having been received from the feed ring in the gunbay, the rounds were fed via this hoist to the gun in the gunhouse above. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view of a section of the 4.5″ gunbay on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
The 4.5″ Gun Power Room on board the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97). From this room, the ship’s 4.5 inch Mark 8 Mod 1 gun was mechanically (electrical) controlled and administered. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view of the Bridge of the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Within the bridge can be found the Quartermaster’s steering position in the left seat, the Captain’s chair on the right, the chart table for navigation along with the WECDIS or Warship Electronic Chart Display Information System, a combined map, GPS navigation and tracking radar / sonar and combat systems feed. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view of the Bridge of the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo: Richard Ash, IWM.
General view of the Bridge of the Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh (D97), May 2013. Photo Richard Ash, IWM.
Former Royal Navy submarine HMS Onyx towed to scrapyard
HMS Onyx has left Barrow-in-Furness and is on her way to the ship breakers at Helensburgh. If nobody could raise the funds to preserve her as a museum ship during the last eight years, then it’s unlikely that anyone is going to step in at the last minute and save her.
Story from the North West Evening Mail follows:
Falklands veteran sub leaves Barrow and embarks on her final voyage
Thursday, 01 May 2014
A SUBMARINE left rusting in docks has been towed away after eight years.
HMS Onyx, an Oberon-class vessel which saw service in the Falklands War, was brought to Barrow in 2006 by businessman Joe Mullen as part of plans to use it as a museum.
Mr Mullen paid £117,000 for the sub after an idea by the Barrow branch of the Submariners Association, led by Terry Spurling, that it could become an interactive centrepiece at a submarine heritage centre.
Yesterday HMS Onyx was towed from Buccleuch Dock, in Barrow.
Mr Spurling said: “It is a hope more than anything that she is saved but at the moment she is going to Helensburgh for scrap.
“I happen to know there are people in Helensburgh trying to do what we tried to do here.
“It would be a tragedy if she was to be scrapped, she’s in such good condition internally and she is one of the Falklands boats.
“She’s one of the last O-boats available for a heritage centre, I do hope she is not scrapped.”
HMS Onyx (S21) was built at Cammell Laird, Birkenhead and commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1967. She served throughout the Cold War and saw honourable service during the Falklands War, landing special forces along the coast. Decomissioned in 1991, Onyx was placed on display in Birkenhead by the Warship Preservation Trust. In 2006, the trust went into liquidation and Onyx was sold to Barrow businessman Joe Mullen for £100,000. Funds to preserve Onyx as a museum ship were not forthcoming… and so we reach the end of her story.
Video: Launch of Royal Navy submarine HMS Conqueror, 1969
Royal Navy Whitby-class frigates
HMS Whitby (F36)
built: Cammell Laird and Co Ltd, Birkenhead
laid down: 30 September 1952
launched: 2 July 1954
commissioned: 10 July 1956
paid off: 1974
fate: sold for scrapping 1979
HMS Torquay (F43)
built: Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast
laid down: 11 March 1953
launched: 1 July 1954
commissioned: 10 May 1956
paid off: 1985
fate: sold for scrapping 1987
HMS Scarborough (F63)
built: Vickers Armstrongs (Shipbuilders) Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne and Vickers Armstrongs (Engineers) Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness
laid down: 11 September 1953
launched: 4 April 1955
commissioned: 10 May 1957
paid off: 1972
fate: 1977
HMS Tenby (F65)
built: Cammell Laird and Co Ltd, Birkenhead
laid down: 23 June 1953
launched: 4 October 1955
commissioned: 18 December 1957
paid off: 1972
fate: sold for scrapping 1979
HMS Eastbourne (F73)
built: Vickers Armstrongs (Shipbuilders) Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne and Vickers Armstrongs (Engineers) Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness
laid down: 13 January 1954
launched: 29 December 1955
commissioned: 9 January 1958
paid off: 1984
fate: sold for scrapping 1985
HMS Blackpool (F77)
built: Harland and Wolff, Belfast
laid down: 20 December 1954
launched: 14 February 1957
commissioned: 14 August 1958
paid off: 1971
fate: sold for scrapping 1980
Naval Matters 