HMS Bristol leaves the River Tyne
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 พ.ค. 2011
- VETERAN warship HMS Bristol headed home to Portsmouth after being given a new lease of life on the River Tyne, where she was built more than 40 years ago.
The unique Type 82 destroyer was launched at Swan Hunter''s Neptune yard in 1969 and served in the Falklands War before becoming a Royal Navy training vessel in the 1990s.
She returned to the North East recently to undergo multi-million pound renewal works at A&P Tyne and among those restoring the 7000 tonne vessel to her former glory during the 142 day project at the Hebburn yard were some of the shipyard workers who helped build her.
Electrical foreman Ed Smith, 62, and Bill Colquhoun, 59, production manager at A&P Tyne, served out much of their apprenticeships on the Bristol. Originally intended as the first of a class of Type 82 destroyers to escort the CVA-01 aircraft carriers, the Bristol was the only one ever built as the carriers fell victim to the 1966 Strategic Defence Review and the rest of the class was cancelled.
The two men were among hundreds who waved a fond farewell to the vessel as she sailed out of the river to return to her base in Portsmouth, where she hosts more than 17,000 visitors a year.
The massive refit included replacing decking, steel repairs, installing a new fire fighting detection system and emergency escape routes. More accommodation and an office for the commanding officer was created inside the funnel and a lecture theatre was built inside the old missile silo which once housed the Sea Dart missiles.
Mr Smith, from Walkerville, said working on the Bristol had been like welcoming back an old friend. Having helped build the vessel, watched her being launched and sailed on her during sea trials, she had always held a special place in his heart.
He said the ship had looked a bit tired when she arrived last November but she now looked magnificent and the entire team at A&P had enjoyed working on her.
Mr Colquhoun, from North Shields, watched the Bristol leave the quay at A&P then drove to Tynemouth to see her sail out of the river to sea. He said working on her had brought back many fond memories. He said after the refit and a complete repaint the ship was leaving the Tyne looking "as good as new."
Sales and commercial director at A&P Tyne, Neil Jarvis, described the Bristol refit as a "challenging and complex project" and said it had been a "very good job" for the yard, delivered on time. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
What a beautiful ship built in the days when we really did build beautiful warships Whitbys, Type 12s, Leanders County Class Destroyers Beautiful Ships
This was the lead ship of the destroyer class that was meant to be the escorts for the new fleet carriers the RN wanted to build in the 60's right?
Yes. That class was cancelled but HMS Bristol was built as a technology demonstrator, primarily for new propulsion systems.
A proper national historic ships asset , but as she is still under the command of the MoD , we'll see what decisions they make in another 15 years time... the fight may be on then , to save her from the cutter's torch.
So prophetic mate....she leaves Pompey in December 2020....a victim of yet more cuts. The ones to suffer will be Sea Cadets and youth organisations whose physical link with the RN will be all but finished.....so much for cadets being vital to the nation!
@@TheGreenjacketbilly That is very depressing to hear. I had no idea the Bristol was still in existence that recently.
You out there jonah
Jonah you there? It has been a search on forces re united? They charged a fekin fortune whilsted doin fek all. Iff ur still there (alive) get in toutch. Iff not r.i.p. always luv yah. See u in the next xxx
Smithy are you here?
I have tried forces reunited,at a certain cost. An they do not do what it says on the tin. So, i can just ask if any one can help me find kevin jones aka jonah and smithy soz smithy is from the south, jonah is from holyhead i would be most grateful. Cheers
Kev jonah jones once an mem 82 are u out there?