HMS PRINCE OF WALES / UB07

[clydesider]

The forward island starts its move from Govan on Friday, but does anyone know the timing as the ACA website is silent on this so far?

Arthur Sales

[Allan]

Still nothing appearing on the ACA website – however, tug STRATHDON is showing as being at the BAE Systems shipyard, having arrived earlier this morning from Invergordon.

Would have thought there would have been other local tugs attending during the operation, but no apparent movement yet to signify definite activity.

[Allan]

Tug AYTON CROSS currently passing Dumbarton Rock, heading up-river...........

[Allan]

AYTON CROSS now in the fitting-out basin, about 100m away from STRATHDON.

[Allan]

Okay, on the move - currently around KGV dock, STRATHDON leading with AYTON CROSS in line astern - presumably the barge lies in between, speed 4.8 knots.

[Allan]

Work commitments meant I couldn’t follow the journey down-river, nor was I able to get to the Renfrew Ferry, where I usually get some pics.

As of now, it appears AYTON CROSS accompanied STRATHORD as far as the Tail o’ The Bank, and then at around 1730hrs returned to base – leaving STRATHORD on her own with the barge.

Was surprised that there was no on-going support – seem to re-call on previous similar operations that two tugs were involved on the journey to Rosyth?

ETA Rosyth - 1000hrs, 1st May.

[clydesider]

There was a Twitter note on the ACA website this morning advising that departure time was 2.30pm, so I was able to see the tow passing Braehead at around 3.00pm.
The island wasn't as big as I expected it to be.
It shouldn't be too long now before one of the lower blocks is moved to a barge for its trip round to Rosyth.

Arthur Sales

[dougie-coull]

A few shots here - http://dougie-coull-photography.blogspo ... ansit.html - if anyone wishes to view.

Light and visibility were quite poor.

[Allan]

First opportunity to check on progress via Marine Traffic - STRATHDON and her charge are taking the southerly route - currently passing the Isle of Man, average speed so far around 6 knots.

[Allan]

Our subject is currently “not showing” on Marine Traffic – hasn’t been for the last hour or so – current position should be abeam of Dublin to starboard, Holyhead to port.

[Allan]

Last reported position was at 0558hrs this morning, placing her about 20 miles north of a line between Wexford and Aberystwyth – speed then was just 0.8knots.

SHIPAIS website does not recognise her, either as at anchor or under way.

Anyone any ideas?

[Allan]

STRATHDON now showing as rounding the Wolf Rock Lighthouse, course almost due east.

Speed still around the 6 knot mark – ETA Rosyth now moved back to 3rd May

Winds in the area are from the north, 14 knots.

[Allan]

STRATHDON continuing along the English Channel - in about three hours, she will be approx 20 miles due south of Bournemouth.

Speed over the last few hours reduced to between 4.5 and 5 knots.

Wind is north-westerly, 16 knots.

[Allan]

STRATHDON has made steady progress through the English Channel, speed improved to 7 knots over the last 12 hours or so.

Her course has taken her over toward the French mainland, being currently only about 8 miles west of Boulogne-sur-MER.

Present course is almost due north, which will take her across and up through the busy bottle-neck in the Dover/Calais area.

Winds in the area are south-westerly, 22 knots.

[Allan]

STRATHDON is heading up the east coast of England, currently about 40 miles east of Skegness.

Winds in the area are westerlies, around 18 knots, she continues to average around 6 knots.

ETA Rosyth now around mid-day Saturday.

[Allan]

STRATHDON making slow progress today – currently showing a speed of only 1.3 knots, in the last four hours she has covered 15 miles.

Marine Traffic had her “off-air” from 1409hrs yesterday until 0720hrs this morning - distance travelled in that time was about 40 miles, so an average speed of between 2 and 2.5 knots.

Present position is 12 miles off the coast, 20 miles north of Grimsby – ETA Rosyth given as 1300hrs tomorrow which seems very unlikely.

Winds are coming from the north-east, 14 knots, which might be what is hampering progress?

[Brianh]

being assisted by Yorkshireman ?

[Allan]

Thanks Brian –

Hadn’t picked up on the “escort” factor, as was watching on “My Fleet”.

Again, breaks on updated positioning put YORKSHIREMAN has been assisting since at least early hours this morning – we don’t know if it’s weather or mechanical problems that has given rise to the assistance?

[Allan]

Quick check – neither vessel showing on Marine Traffic, but they are on Ship AIS – still apparently working in tandem, about 15 miles south of Whitby, speed 3.4 knots.

[Allan]

Frustratingly, STRATHDON not showing on either Marine Traffic or Ship AIS. However, her position is being monitored and I reckon she is currently passing the Longstone Temporary Light, about 10 miles off the coast, and 15 miles out of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

YORKSHIREMAN appears to be back in Grimsby harbour.

ETA Rosyth now showing as 0700hrs UTC tomorrow – with about 70–odd miles to go, seems reasonable – needs to maintain a speed of just over 6 knots to meet that target.

[Deepol]

Courtesy BAe Systems

On the barge

Couple of shots of it.

[Allan]

STRATHDON currently in the Forth Estuary, apparently at anchor, about 5 miles north of Cockenzie and 10 miles NE of Leith. Been there since around 0700hrs this morning.

Winds there are 30 knots easterly, so would imagine they’re waiting for more favourable conditions to move up river.

Minimal information, still not showing on Marine Traffic or Ship AIS.

[Allan]

Two other tugs, STRATHGLASS and OSPREY FEARLESS are in close proximity to STRATHDON – the former appears to have assisted her sister ship on the last 12 hours or so of her journey.

[Allan]

Still no definite developments – Think now that OSPREY FEARLESS is not involved with this operation, but STRATHDON and STRATHGLASS have been manoeuvring more or less “on the spot” for most of the day, if anything they have moved a few miles north-east. Both are showing a destination of Rosyth, both showing “restricted manoeuvrability”, so presumably involved in towing.

Marine Traffic appears to have on-going problems tracking these tugs, Ship AIS has intermittent success.

Winds seem to be abating, Will watch over the next few hours for any developments.

[Allan]

Okay – STRATHORD not showing on either Marine Traffic or Ship AIS , STRATHGLASS still in the area as last reported – so presuming no material change in circumstances, the barge carrying the forward island for the PRINCE OF WALES is still lying in the outer estuary of the Forth.

[Allan]

This is now a case of Find the Barge…….. STRATHDON entered Leith Harbour around 1930hrs and is still there. She is showing a destination of Rosyth.

STRATHGLASS on the other hand stayed out in the estuary until around 0300hrs this morning, when she headed upriver averaging 4 or 5 knots, got as far as Dalgety Bay around 0730hrs then reversed course and is now heading back to the outer estuary. No time at turn-around to have handed over the barge to another tug. Returning speed is around 7 or 8 knots.

Still has “restricted manoeuvrability” status, still showing Rosyth as her destination.

I’m guessing STRATHGLASS still has the barge - think we need “eyes on the ground” or some insider information – any offers?

[Allan]

Very confused now – STRATHGLASS now passing 3 miles north on North Berwick, so apparently “leaving the scene”….

[Allan]

Okay, this is my last word on this, I promise…….

Been doing a bit of checking and comparing the tracks of the various tugs, and have come to what I think is a plausible sequence of events.

Would seem STRATHDON and STRATHGLASS worked in tandem to bring the barge into the Forth estuary.

Sunday seems to have been spent manoeuvring as described above (No. 24) – STRATHDON then moves into Leith Harbour around 1930hrs, whilst STRATHGLASS (presumably with the barge in tow) continues the manoeuvres throughout the night.

Around first light on Monday, STRATHGLASS sets a course to move upriver.

The tug FIDRA, based in the Forth estuary and which has on more than one occasion assisted in moving these barges carrying Carrier sections, now enters the scene. She leaves Leith Harbour and rendezvous with STRATHGLASS at 56.05 degrees N, 3.07 degrees W at approximately 0520hrs on Monday morning.

The two proceed upriver in close proximity, STRATHGLASS reverses course on reaching Dalgety Bay and exits the scene, FIDRA continues on to Rosyth arriving about 0830hrs, where presumably she off-loads the barge then returns to her base at Braefoot Bay.

Unsure as to when FIDRA took over the tow – best guess is the point where STRATHGLASS reversed course near Dalgety Bay.

And that’s my last word on the matter – honest!

[alasdairmac]

Took a run down to my vantage point on the south shore of the Forth to see what was visible of Prince of Wales. First shot is a panorama including both Prince of Wales (in the building dock on the right of shot) and Queen Elizabeth largely hiding behind the sheds on the extreme left. Unfortunately I couldn't find a better vantage point further west for Queen Elizabeth which still had her in range of my lens.

The next two shots show Prince of Wales in the building dock, with scaffolding surrounding the forward island but with her quite clearly taking shape. Northlink's Orkney and Shetland RoRo ferry "Hamnavoe" is also in for a bit of tlc by the looks of it, and giving some scale to the carrier's size.

[Dennis Maccoy]

The sheds on the left are actually on the deck of Queen Elizabeth Alasdair - providing weather protection during application of deck coatings. They are vastly larger than those used when I was responsible for similar work on Illustrious 35 years ago.

[alasdairmac]

Thanks for that Dennis. I can see that now when I look at it more closely.


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