FD2 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 04, 2022 2:34 am
The difficult part at Rosyth is getting in and out of the enclosed basin. The span of the caisson is only just a few feet wider than the width of these carrier's hulls, so it's a delicate operation. The basin is sealed off and only open at high tide so that ships inside are always at the same height relative to the jetty. When I was serving in a frigate at Rosyth I remember seeing our first Polaris boat Resolution gliding through into the basin for her first dry docking.
I can't see POW's serviceable port ***** being used to get into the basin, it will be warped and manoeuvred in with tugs. I think the dry dock orientation means she will be turned to starboard and pushed straight in, there to be lost to service for a long time. The port ***** will certainly be used on the way north of course and they will wait for a very calm moment to get her in the basin.
Both of the Blaircraftcarriers were a stoopid idea.
Agreed - a bribe to Broon's voters in his Kirkcaldy constituency. Unfortunately the country is stuck with the damned things and I can't ever see the money being released to convert them to 'proper' carriers.
Thank you for that insight FD2.
As for the rest, now HMS Prince of Wales is as much good to the defence of the realm as an empty cake tin is to a tea party, and is likely to be so for many more months.
I assume that the conversion, that will never come, would involve the fitting of steam catapults?
PS - I see we have a misfiring auto censor at work here in the quote algorithm. I fear that the word shaft is now deemed to be offensive, like shut or maybe even shift!
My necessaries are embark'd: farewell. Adieu! I have too grieved a heart to take a tedious leave.