Today saw the launch of HMS Daring from the Scotstoun yard in Glasgow. This meant a half day for me (as I work there) and a chance to see the largest ever ship launched from Scotstoun. So me and my camera went to Braehead to hopefully get a good view of the launch.
Thankfully everything went smoothly. Looking at the official video on type45.com there seems to have been some delay before she finally slipped into the river. The main challenge was launching a 154m ship into a river who’s width is just over 165m at that point. A combination of pointing down river and also drag chains to stop and pull her round did the job – it was great to see and a proud moment for all of us who have been involved in her design and build. Video and picture links below.
My Flickr album of the launch
BBC News article which has video’s of the build up and launch
Type45.com for info on the ship and a launch video
Scotland Today which announced a successful launch an hour and a half before it took place – pre launch video too
I read the BBC News item on it…
It brings new meaning to Churchills description of the Navy as “Rum, buggery and the lash”
Porn in every berth with only 5 other’s listening to you instead of 30. Joy.
Do you get to go on the sea trials then? My mate used to work at Yarrows (electrical summat or other) and used to love going away on sea trials. Not. 😉
Mind you, that was 15 years ago so I’d imagine these new ships are a bit better to be on…
When I first joined (just over 10 years ago) I did some sea trials and at that time that meant big money. First was on Malaysian vessel just before Christmas and the weather was fine but becasue the ship was for Malaysia there was no alcohol allowed on board.
Accomodation was tight – Malaysians are a lot smaller than a typical weegie – I had top bunk with a main sewage pipe running directly overhead. Lovely.
Second trial was a lot rougher – high seas, transferring from a small boat to the ship was not nice and long hours. I wasn’t happy at getting woken at 4AM to do some odd job that could have been done at a more sensible time.
The third and last one was on the Type 23 frigates. Memorable as we ran some gunnery trials and there was a force 9 storm for a day and a half – unbelievably rough and makes me appreciate more what life at sea can be like. Hellish.
I enjoyed them but probably because they were all short stints (1 week max) – could see what we build in action and there’s a lot of people who work here never get that opportunity. Going from 30 knots to a dead stop in 20 seconds is damned impressive for a 3000 tonne ship.
Would love to go out on the T45 but can’t see it happening in my current role – maybe I could test the internet connections and iPod docks that every cabin now gets. Geek.