The Flickr Chathamdockyard Image Generatr

My fifth aircraft kit and my third De Havilland Canada (DHC)-6 Twin Otter, 1/72 scale kit by Revell (Matchbox mould). Third time around and I feel that I’ve finally got it, even managed to get the nose weight right this time! The kit did fight me at the end, the main gear both choosing to come unstuck, and, as with the others the kit had required some light sanding/filing. Clearly that hasn’t put me off at all, and I’ve found this and the Airfix Islander to be brilliant introductions to kit aircraft.

Again I have portrayed G-BVVK, the first time was as she flies now - “Spirit of Eilidh” in Loganair tartan livery. This time it’s British Airways and their smart “Chatham Dockyard” livery with “operated by Loganair” on the nose.

VK was new to Wideroe in 1980 as LN-BEZ, spending 14 years in Norway before transferring to Scotland. Arriving first to Southend, VK was painted in British Airways “Landor” livery with BA Express branding. She would go on to wear Chatham, as here, then Flybe white & sky blue and finally (to date), Loganair tartan. As I type this, I’m watching FlightRadar24 as the real VK makes final approach to Tiree. 6 liveries later, 45 years on from her first flight at DHC in Ontario and “Spirit of Eilidh” as she is now known, still graces Scotland’s sky.

Also pictured is G-BOMG, a Britten Norman Islander made using the Airfix kit. Also painted into British Airways’ Chatham livery, and again bearing Loganair decals on the nose, Mike Golf also wears the crest of the Scottish Ambulance Service. This is because from 1967 to 2006, Loganair held the Air Ambulance contract. Tragically the real Mike Golf crashed into the sea in 2005, on approach to Campbeltown Airport at night on an Ambulance tasking. Both Pilot and Flight Paramedic were killed. Gama Aviation would take over the Air Ambulance contract the following year, using Beechcraft King Air for fixed wing provision.

I always post my new pictures here first, however you can now find me on Facebook. My page is www.facebook.com/share/12HatwrDkgB/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Scale Model Transport”.
My group is www.facebook.com/share/g/16ArHb6CVh/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Transport Models & Dioramas”.

Both transfer sets are from Two Six - www.26decals.com

My fifth aircraft kit and my third De Havilland Canada (DHC)-6 Twin Otter, 1/72 scale kit by Revell (Matchbox mould). Third time around and I feel that I’ve finally got it, even managed to get the nose weight right this time! The kit did fight me at the end, the main gear both choosing to come unstuck, and, as with the others the kit had required some light sanding/filing. Clearly that hasn’t put me off at all, and I’ve found this and the Airfix Islander to be brilliant introductions to kit aircraft.

Again I have portrayed G-BVVK, the first time was as she flies now - “Spirit of Eilidh” in Loganair tartan livery. This time it’s British Airways and their smart “Chatham Dockyard” livery with “operated by Loganair” on the nose.

VK was new to Wideroe in 1980 as LN-BEZ, spending 14 years in Norway before transferring to Scotland. Arriving first to Southend, VK was painted in British Airways “Landor” livery with BA Express branding. She would go on to wear Chatham, as here, then Flybe white & sky blue and finally (to date), Loganair tartan. As I type this, I’m watching FlightRadar24 as the real VK makes final approach to Tiree. 6 liveries later, 45 years on from her first flight at DHC in Ontario and “Spirit of Eilidh” as she is now known, still graces Scotland’s sky.

I always post my new pictures here first, however you can now find me on Facebook. My page is www.facebook.com/share/12HatwrDkgB/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Scale Model Transport”.
My group is www.facebook.com/share/g/16ArHb6CVh/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Transport Models & Dioramas”.

My fifth aircraft kit and my third De Havilland Canada (DHC)-6 Twin Otter, 1/72 scale kit by Revell (Matchbox mould). Third time around and I feel that I’ve finally got it, even managed to get the nose weight right this time! The kit did fight me at the end, the main gear both choosing to come unstuck, and, as with the others the kit had required some light sanding/filing. Clearly that hasn’t put me off at all, and I’ve found this and the Airfix Islander to be brilliant introductions to kit aircraft.

Again I have portrayed G-BVVK, the first time was as she flies now - “Spirit of Eilidh” in Loganair tartan livery. This time it’s British Airways and their smart “Chatham Dockyard” livery with “operated by Loganair” on the nose.

VK was new to Wideroe in 1980 as LN-BEZ, spending 14 years in Norway before transferring to Scotland. Arriving first to Southend, VK was painted in British Airways “Landor” livery with BA Express branding. She would go on to wear Chatham, as here, then Flybe white & sky blue and finally (to date), Loganair tartan. As I type this, I’m watching FlightRadar24 as the real VK makes final approach to Tiree. 6 liveries later, 45 years on from her first flight at DHC in Ontario and “Spirit of Eilidh” as she is now known, still graces Scotland’s sky.

I always post my new pictures here first, however you can now find me on Facebook. My page is www.facebook.com/share/12HatwrDkgB/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Scale Model Transport”.
My group is www.facebook.com/share/g/16ArHb6CVh/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Transport Models & Dioramas”.

My fifth aircraft kit and my third De Havilland Canada (DHC)-6 Twin Otter, 1/72 scale kit by Revell (Matchbox mould). Third time around and I feel that I’ve finally got it, even managed to get the nose weight right this time! The kit did fight me at the end, the main gear both choosing to come unstuck, and, as with the others the kit had required some light sanding/filing. Clearly that hasn’t put me off at all, and I’ve found this and the Airfix Islander to be brilliant introductions to kit aircraft.

Again I have portrayed G-BVVK, the first time was as she flies now - “Spirit of Eilidh” in Loganair tartan livery. This time it’s British Airways and their smart “Chatham Dockyard” livery with “operated by Loganair” on the nose.

VK was new to Wideroe in 1980 as LN-BEZ, spending 14 years in Norway before transferring to Scotland. Arriving first to Southend, VK was painted in British Airways “Landor” livery with BA Express branding. She would go on to wear Chatham, as here, then Flybe white & sky blue and finally (to date), Loganair tartan. As I type this, I’m watching FlightRadar24 as the real VK makes final approach to Tiree. 6 liveries later, 45 years on from her first flight at DHC in Ontario and “Spirit of Eilidh” as she is now known, still graces Scotland’s sky.

I always post my new pictures here first, however you can now find me on Facebook. My page is www.facebook.com/share/12HatwrDkgB/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Scale Model Transport”.
My group is www.facebook.com/share/g/16ArHb6CVh/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Transport Models & Dioramas”.

My fifth aircraft kit and my third De Havilland Canada (DHC)-6 Twin Otter, 1/72 scale kit by Revell (Matchbox mould). Third time around and I feel that I’ve finally got it, even managed to get the nose weight right this time! The kit did fight me at the end, the main gear both choosing to come unstuck, and, as with the others the kit had required some light sanding/filing. Clearly that hasn’t put me off at all, and I’ve found this and the Airfix Islander to be brilliant introductions to kit aircraft.

Again I have portrayed G-BVVK, the first time was as she flies now - “Spirit of Eilidh” in Loganair tartan livery. This time it’s British Airways and their smart “Chatham Dockyard” livery with “operated by Loganair” on the nose.

VK was new to Wideroe in 1980 as LN-BEZ, spending 14 years in Norway before transferring to Scotland. Arriving first to Southend, VK was painted in British Airways “Landor” livery with BA Express branding. She would go on to wear Chatham, as here, then Flybe white & sky blue and finally (to date), Loganair tartan. As I type this, I’m watching FlightRadar24 as the real VK makes final approach to Tiree. 6 liveries later, 45 years on from her first flight at DHC in Ontario and “Spirit of Eilidh” as she is now known, still graces Scotland’s sky.

I always post my new pictures here first, however you can now find me on Facebook. My page is www.facebook.com/share/12HatwrDkgB/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Scale Model Transport”.
My group is www.facebook.com/share/g/16ArHb6CVh/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Transport Models & Dioramas”.

My fifth aircraft kit and my third De Havilland Canada (DHC)-6 Twin Otter, 1/72 scale kit by Revell (Matchbox mould). Third time around and I feel that I’ve finally got it, even managed to get the nose weight right this time! The kit did fight me at the end, the main gear both choosing to come unstuck, and, as with the others the kit had required some light sanding/filing. Clearly that hasn’t put me off at all, and I’ve found this and the Airfix Islander to be brilliant introductions to kit aircraft.

Again I have portrayed G-BVVK, the first time was as she flies now - “Spirit of Eilidh” in Loganair tartan livery. This time it’s British Airways and their smart “Chatham Dockyard” livery with “operated by Loganair” on the nose.

VK was new to Wideroe in 1980 as LN-BEZ, spending 14 years in Norway before transferring to Scotland. Arriving first to Southend, VK was painted in British Airways “Landor” livery with BA Express branding. She would go on to wear Chatham, as here, then Flybe white & sky blue and finally (to date), Loganair tartan. As I type this, I’m watching FlightRadar24 as the real VK makes final approach to Tiree. 6 liveries later, 45 years on from her first flight at DHC in Ontario and “Spirit of Eilidh” as she is now known, still graces Scotland’s sky.

I always post my new pictures here first, however you can now find me on Facebook. My page is www.facebook.com/share/12HatwrDkgB/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Scale Model Transport”.
My group is www.facebook.com/share/g/16ArHb6CVh/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Transport Models & Dioramas”.

My fifth aircraft kit and my third De Havilland Canada (DHC)-6 Twin Otter, 1/72 scale kit by Revell (Matchbox mould). Third time around and I feel that I’ve finally got it, even managed to get the nose weight right this time! The kit did fight me at the end, the main gear both choosing to come unstuck, and, as with the others the kit had required some light sanding/filing. Clearly that hasn’t put me off at all, and I’ve found this and the Airfix Islander to be brilliant introductions to kit aircraft.

Again I have portrayed G-BVVK, the first time was as she flies now - “Spirit of Eilidh” in Loganair tartan livery. This time it’s British Airways and their smart “Chatham Dockyard” livery with “operated by Loganair” on the nose.

VK was new to Wideroe in 1980 as LN-BEZ, spending 14 years in Norway before transferring to Scotland. Arriving first to Southend, VK was painted in British Airways “Landor” livery with BA Express branding. She would go on to wear Chatham, as here, then Flybe white & sky blue and finally (to date), Loganair tartan. As I type this, I’m watching FlightRadar24 as the real VK makes final approach to Tiree. 6 liveries later, 45 years on from her first flight at DHC in Ontario and “Spirit of Eilidh” as she is now known, still graces Scotland’s sky.

I always post my new pictures here first, however you can now find me on Facebook. My page is www.facebook.com/share/12HatwrDkgB/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Scale Model Transport”.
My group is www.facebook.com/share/g/16ArHb6CVh/?mibextid=wwXIfr “Scottish Transport Models & Dioramas”.

HMS Gannet, powered by both sail and steam, is a Royal Navy Doterel-class screw sloop-of-war launched on August 31, 1878. Built on the River Medway at Sheerness Dockyard in 1878, Gannet demonstrates the introduction of iron and steam to warship construction. Her composite construction hull is built with teak planking on iron frames and she was powered by both sail and steam.

Between 1878 and 1895 Gannet served in the Pacific, Mediterranean and the Red Sea, policing the waters of the British Empire.

In 1902 Gannet was converted into a drill ship for the Royal Naval Reserve and served as HMS President, the headquarters of the London Division of the RNR, until 1911. From 1913 she was lent to the boys' sea training school, TS Mercury on the River Hamble for use as a dormitory until the school closed in 1968. Gannet was brought to the Historic Dockyard for preservation in 1987. Restored in 1987, it is now part of the UK's National Historic Fleet and located at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. It is the last surviving small ship of Queen Victoria's Navy and represents the vessels used to police the British Empire's waters.

Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway in Kent. Established in Chatham in the mid-16th century, the dockyard subsequently expanded into neighbouring Gillingham; at its most extensive (in the early 20th century) two-thirds of the dockyard lay in Gillingham, one-third in Chatham.

It came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional defences. Over 414 years Chatham Royal Dockyard provided more than 500 ships for the Royal Navy, and was at the forefront of shipbuilding, industrial and architectural technology. At its height, it employed over 10,000 skilled artisans and covered 1.6 km2. Chatham dockyard closed in 1984, and 34 ha of the Georgian dockyard is now managed as the Chatham Historic Dockyard visitor attraction by the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Gannet_(1878)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_Dockyard

HMS Cavalier is preserved as a memorial to the 142 Royal Navy destroyers sunk during the Second World War with the loss of over 11,000 lives, Cavalier also represents the work of Chatham Dockyard during the 20th century- building, repairing and refitting the steel-hulled surface warships of the Royal Navy.

One of ninety-six emergency destroyers built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War, Cavalier was launched in 1942 from Samuel Whites Yard on the Isle of Wight. Awarded the Battle Honour 'Arctic 1945' for operations off northern Norway and in support of the homeward-bound Russian Convoy RA64, Cavalier, later operated in the Western Approaches and with the British Pacific Fleet.

HMS Cavalier earned the nickname, "The Fastest of the Greyhounds", after winning a race against HMS Rapid, achieving an average speed of 31.8 knots.

After modernisation in 1957 Cavalier served with the Royal Navy, mainly in the Far East, until she paid off at Chatham in 1972. By then she was the Royal Navy's last operational Second World War destroyer.

Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway in Kent. Established in Chatham in the mid-16th century, the dockyard subsequently expanded into neighbouring Gillingham; at its most extensive (in the early 20th century) two-thirds of the dockyard lay in Gillingham, one-third in Chatham.

It came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional defences. Over 414 years Chatham Royal Dockyard provided more than 500 ships for the Royal Navy, and was at the forefront of shipbuilding, industrial and architectural technology. At its height, it employed over 10,000 skilled artisans and covered 1.6 km2. Chatham dockyard closed in 1984, and 34 ha of the Georgian dockyard is now managed as the Chatham Historic Dockyard visitor attraction by the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Cavalier_(R73)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_Dockyard

This is a vintage crane at the Historic Dockyard Chatham in Kent, England. Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard established in the mid-16th century. It played a crucial role in British naval history for centuries. The cranes at the dockyard were built by Grafton Cranes Ltd in the 1930s and 1940s. They are coal-fired and were used for shipbuilding and heavy lifting tasks. Chatham Dockyard is now a museum and heritage site, showcasing its rich maritime history. Visitors can explore historic ships, buildings, and exhibits, including the HMS Ocelot submarine.

The steam cranes supplied to Chatham Dockyard were “Locomotive Yard Cranes”, these were cranes designed to haul wagons around the dockyard railway system as well as lifting goods as required. The cranes were built by Grafton Cranes Ltd at their Vulcan Works in Bedford, and were delivered to the dockyard in the 1930s and 1940s. The cranes run on a six wheeled carriage, with a coal fired boiler and were designed to work on a pressure of 689 kilopascals. The 30ft (9.144 m) worm-driven jib is driven from the 2-cylinder main engine and is fitted with a single hoist rope, which has a lifting capacity of 5 tons at 7 m or 3 tons at 9 m. There are four ex-dockyard steam cranes on the Historic Dockyard Railway, but works No.2641, built in 1941, Yard No. 558 is currently waiting a decision on restoration.

Grafton Cranes Ltd, also known as Grafton & Co., was established in 1883 by Alexander Grafton. The company, located in Bedford, Bedfordshire, was known for manufacturing steam cranes and rail cranes from the 1800s until the mid-20th century. The main site of Grafton Cranes was the Vulcan Works in Bedford. The company also had offices at 113 Cannon Street, London. Grafton Cranes manufactured cranes for various industrial uses, including docks and wharfs. Their cranes were noted for their engineering and construction machinery. The company contributed significantly to the industrial and engineering landscape. Their cranes were exported worldwide and used in various industries.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a maritime museum on part of the site of the former royal/naval dockyard at Chatham in Kent, South East England.

Chatham Dockyard covered 162 hectares and was one of the Royal Navy's main facilities for several hundred years until it was closed in 1984. After closure the dockyard was divided into three sections. The easternmost basin was handed over to Medway Ports and is now a commercial port, although the landowner plans to close it in 2025. Another slice was converted into a mixed commercial, residential and leisure development. 32 hectares, comprising the 18th-century core of the site, was transferred to a charity called the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and is now open as a visitor attraction. It claims to be the world's most complete dockyard of the age of sail.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_Historic_Dockyard

newsite.dockyardrailway.co.uk/?page_id=70

You're looking at a model of the HMS Victory at the Chatham Historic Dockyard. This specific model was built for the 1941 film "That Hamilton Woman," starring Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier. The real HMS Victory was Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where the British defeated the French and Spanish fleets. The Victory was built between 1759 and 1765 at the Chatham Dockyard. Today, the actual HMS Victory is preserved as a museum ship at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The Victory, First Rate Ship of the Line was launched 7 May 1765. The Victory is Chatham's most famous ship and the ultimate example of a Chatham built ship of the line. The Victory embodies the work of the twenty six trades and the many hundreds of men who built, repaired and refitted her at Chatham during 65 years distinguished service at sea. Her survival at Portsmouth to this day is a testament to the men who built her, those who served on board and her role as a symbol of 18th century national power.

In December 1758, the Admiralty placed an order for five new ships, including '1 of 100 guns at Chatham' - later to be named Victory. Thomas Slade, the Master Shipwright at the Dockyard, started Victory's construction the following summer with the keel being laid on the 23 July 1759. By August 1760 the timber frame was complete and left to season in frame. Victory wouldn't be launched for a further five years, as the requirement for a new First Rate lessened with Britain's victory in the Seven Years War.

Launched on the 7 May 1765 the Victory was placed in ordinary (reserve) and moored on the River Medway, where she remained for thirteen years. During this time she was brought in to dry dock on two occasions to repair her hull. In 1778, when the risk of France and Spain joining the American War of Independence against Britain became a real threat, Victory was fitted for sea and made ready for active service.

Between 1778 and 1797 Victory took part in fleet actions in the English Channel and the Mediterranean. Her presence at key battles underlined Britain's naval strength, projecting power to her enemies. A defining moment in Victory's career was as flagship to Admiral Sir John Jervis at his victory at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in 1797. Although outnumbered, Victory led a British fleet that was better prepared and trained compared to the Spanish.

The Battle of Trafalgar ended Napoleonic France’s ambitions to invade Britain and her Navy’s ability to threaten Britain’s worldwide Command of the Oceans. The end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 ushered in a century of ‘Pax Britannica’ Britain’s undisputed naval power and position as global superpower – and laid the foundations for much of the modern world we know today.

thedockyard.co.uk/the-collections/dockyard-history/buildi...

RNLB St. Cybi (Civil Service No. 9), was a Barnett-class lifeboat, with a 52-foot (16.8m) twin screw lifeboat with double diagonal planking and an aluminium superstructure. She served at Holyhead Lifeboat Station from 1950 to 1980, and then as a relief boat from 1981 to 1986, funded by the Civil Service Lifeboat Fund.

Designed by James Barnett, she is divided into 9 watertight compartments, which are fitted with 257 air cases. All 52ft Barnetts were fitted with airbags in the 1970s to give a self-righting capability. The rear cabin retains most of its radar equipment and the holes for the airbag in the roof survive, although these have been plugged and the air bag itself is no longer in place. The echo sounder remains onboard. The forward chamber flotation tanks have been removed to storage. The vessel offers a good example of typical in-service modifications, with later engines having been installed which are still in place, along with all ancillary equipment. The forward cabin retains its original panelling, light fittings and deck lights. The engine room inspection covers on deck are fitted with stainless bolts and there is an inspection hatch. Some sections of her forward planking have been replaced, using steel bolts in place of the original countersunk bronze ones.

She was built in 1950 by J S White of Cowes and paid for by the Civil Service lifeboat fund. She has regional connections to Holyhead where she was in service for thirty years before moving to the relief fleet. In 1966, she famously rescued five crew members from a Greek motor vessel which was in distress in a north-westerly hurricane with a very rough sea. As a result of this rescue, a double RNLI gold medal was awarded, plus two silver medals and six bronze medals. A further three bronze medals were awarded in 1971. In total, between 1950 and 1985, ST CYBI is credited with saving 167 lives over 262 service launches. She was recorded on the National Register of Historic Vessels in 1999.

Her yard number was W5419 and her lifeboat number was 884. On 2nd December 1966. She was sold out of service in 1986 and is now on display as a museum vessel at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham.

The RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection at Chatham Dockyard, which contains the UK’s largest collection of historic lifeboats, which together have saved hundreds of lives. This is the UK’s largest collection of historic lifeboats, which together have saved hundreds of lives off the coasts of the UK and Ireland.

From an 1897 pulling and sailing lifeboat, to the familiar Arun class and Blue Peter inflatable inshore lifeboats, visitors can explore how lifeboats have evolved over the past century. Interactive displays, archive film and audio clips bring to life the moment of a launch, coping with violent seas and how technology has helped create ever safer and faster craft.

www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/1736/st-cybi-cs...

rnli.org/find-my-nearest/museums/rnli-historic-lifeboat-c...

The RNLB Helen Blake was a Harbour-class lifeboat built in 1938 and stationed at Poolbeg, Dublin. It was named after the donor, Mrs. Helen Blake of Sussex. During its 20 years of service, it launched 13 times and saved 5 lives. In 1959, the Poolbeg station closed, and the Helen Blake was retired and sold. The Helen Blake is a unique example of a Harbour-class lifeboat, designed for confined waters. In 2014, a project to build a replica of the Helen Blake was launched, and the replica was completed in 2018.

RNLB Helen Blake was built by Groves and Guttridge in 1938, but further production of the Harbour class was halted at the start of the Second World War.

In August 1954, Helen Blake launched into rough seas following reports of cries for help. Two yachtsmen were found clinging to the ladder of the North Bull lighthouse and, with some difficulty, both men were rescued. For her entire operational life, she launched 13 times and saving 5 lives.

As the power of lifeboats increased and their operating range widened, the neighbouring RNLI stations at Howth and Dun Laoghaire were able to cover the Liffey Estuary – and Poolbeg Lifeboat Station closed in 1959.

RNLB Helen Blake went on to a new life as a cabin cruiser named Sea Call. She now resides in the RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, which contains the UK’s largest collection of historic lifeboats, which together have saved hundreds of lives. This is the UK’s largest collection of historic lifeboats, which together have saved hundreds of lives off the coasts of the UK and Ireland.

From an 1897 pulling and sailing lifeboat, to the familiar Arun class and Blue Peter inflatable inshore lifeboats, visitors can explore how lifeboats have evolved over the past century. Interactive displays, archive film and audio clips bring to life the moment of a launch, coping with violent seas and how technology has helped create ever safer and faster craft.

rnli.org/find-my-nearest/museums/rnli-historic-lifeboat-c...

rnli.org/about-us/our-history/calm-before-the-storm-exhib...

RNLB Grace Darling 35ft 6in Liverpool Class Twin-Screw Lifeboat (1954-84)

This vessel was named after the daughter of the keeper of the Longstone Lighthouse who became a national heroine in 1838 when she helped her father rescue survivors from the wreck of the SS Forfarshire. The Grace Darling lifeboat saved 34 lives.

Grace Darling was the last of 21 Liverpool class lifeboats to be built between 1931 and 1954 Designed to be carriage launched, they became a familiar sight around the coasts of the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (RoI)

She was stationed at North Sunderland Seahouses for 13 years, close to the home of her famous namesake. In 1959, her coxswain, Thomas Dawson, was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal for the daring rescue of a canoeist clinging to a cliff edge on Inner Farne Island.

On another occasion in 1958, the lifeboat was on escort duty for HM The Queen's and Duke of Edinburgh's visit to Holy Island (Lindisfarne), when the crew had to dash off to rescue 14 passengers in trouble on a motorboat. The boat then returned to escort the royal barge ashore.

In 1971 the Grace Darling was transferred to Youghal in the RoI where she served out her last years of dependable service to the RNLI

Now based at the RNLI Historic Lifeboat Collection at Chatham Dockyard, which contains the UK’s largest collection of historic lifeboats, which together have saved hundreds of lives. This is the UK’s largest collection of historic lifeboats, which together have saved hundreds of lives off the coasts of the UK and Ireland.

From an 1897 pulling and sailing lifeboat, to the familiar Arun class and Blue Peter inflatable inshore lifeboats, visitors can explore how lifeboats have evolved over the past century. Interactive displays, archive film and audio clips bring to life the moment of a launch, coping with violent seas and how technology has helped create ever safer and faster craft.

thedockyard.co.uk/news/grace-darling-the-rnlis-hidden-her...

rnli.org/find-my-nearest/museums/rnli-historic-lifeboat-c...

NPD 754W Wales And Edwards Rangemaster At The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

NPD 754W is a former, ex-Unigate, 1981 Wales and Edwards Rangemaster milk float, which is still in everyday service at the Historic Dockyard Chatham in a different role nowadays. Tax & MOT exempt, it's undergone quite a revamp since 2009. Chatham use a few old converted milk floats.

Wales & Edwards was a British manufacturer of milk floats based in Harlescott, Shrewsbury. They were particularly well known for their three wheelers. It was one of the oldest milk float manufacturers lasting from the early 1940s to the early 1990s. In 1989, the company was acquired by Smith Electric Vehicles. Major customers included United Dairies (later known as Unigate) and in the early years, Express Dairies. The basic design evolved throughout W&E's existence before finally ending its days as the Rangemaster.

The building on the right is the Admiral's Offices. This brick building was constructed in 1808, originally for the use of the Master Shipwright and other senior Dockyard officials. Its low roofline was designed for minimal impact on the view from the Officers' Terrace above. Later, it became the office of the Port Admiral - the source of its current name.

Beyond the Admiral's Offices can be seen the Clocktower Building. This is an imposing edifice, with four handsome clockfaces, an open belfry and a gilded weather vane topped by a crown. The decoration is lavish for a store-house, but appropriate in this case, for it is the oldest naval store to survive at any Royal Dockyard.

Built in 1723, it was positioned at the head of the dry docks as a 'present use store', keeping to hand the kind of materials frequently required by shipbuilders and shipfitters. This included iron, lead and copper, pitch, tar and oakum (tarred rope fibre used with pitch to seal gaps between planks). It also housed sawpits below and a mould loft above. Originally timber-clad, it was rebuilt with a brick shell in 1802. The building is now used by the University of Kent.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a maritime museum on part of the site of the former royal/naval dockyard at Chatham in Kent, South East England.

Chatham Dockyard covered 162 hectares and was one of the Royal Navy's main facilities for several hundred years until it was closed in 1984. After closure the dockyard was divided into three sections. The easternmost basin was handed over to Medway Ports and is now a commercial port, although the landowner plans to close it in 2025. Another slice was converted into a mixed commercial, residential and leisure development. 32 hectares, comprising the 18th-century core of the site, was transferred to a charity called the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and is now open as a visitor attraction. It claims to be the world's most complete dockyard of the age of sail.

www.flickr.com/photos/saxonessex/51498249616/in/pool-5596...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales_&_Edwards

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_Historic_Dockyard

HMS Valiant was the first British nuclear submarine to be refitted and refuelled at Chatham Dockyard’s new nuclear power base in December 1966. It marked a significant expansion of the Royal Navy’s submarine branch during the 1960s, being the first all-British nuclear submarine and holding a special place in British naval history.

Constructed in Barrow-in-Furness during the Cold War, Valiant, although not built at Chatham, is significant to the Dockyard's history. In the 1960s, Chatham became a refitting and refuelling base for nuclear submarines, with Valiant being the first to visit for maintenance and Christmas leave in December 1966, leading to regular visits from nuclear submarines.

After departing Chatham, Valiant set a Royal Navy record in April 1967 by travelling 19,312 kilometres in 25 days while fully submerged on a return trip from Singapore to Scotland.

The Valiant measured 87 metres in length, had a beam of 10 metres, a draught of 8 metres, and a submerged displacement of 4900 tons. Submarines of the Valiant class were derived from the Dreadnought class but were marginally larger in dimensions.

The Valiant class consisted of nuclear-powered fleet submarines that were active in the Royal Navy from the mid-1960s until 1994. They were the first fully British nuclear fleet submarines, unlike the earlier HMS Dreadnought, which used an American reactor. The class included only two submarines: Valiant, commissioned in 1966, and Warspite, launched the following year.

Improvements over Dreadnought allowed the Valiants to operate much more quietly and included a Paxman diesel-electric generator for silent running. In most other aspects, the Valiants were similar to Dreadnought.

R.J. Daniel, former head of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors, noted that US Admiral Hyman G. Rickover initially dismissed the Valiant class's proposed rafting system, which acoustically isolates machinery from the hull. This gave the Royal Navy a silencing advantage that the US Navy adopted much later.

The Valiants primarily served in anti-submarine roles during the Cold War and underwent several refits, including the ability to launch Harpoon missiles. They participated in the Falklands War in 1982.

Warspite was decommissioned in 1991, followed by Valiant in 1994 due to cracks found in her cooling system. Both submarines had successful careers and influenced the design of the Resolution-class ballistic missile submarines and subsequent Churchill-class fleet submarines.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valiant-class_submarine

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Slip Cover 1838 was designed as a place where warships could be constructed under cover. No 3 Slip was one of Europe's largest wide span structures when it was built. In 1904 the slipway was filled in and this mezzanine floor erected to store ships boats. Today it is a very rare survivor of a type of building designed and built by naval architects and Royal Engineers around the world and is one of The Historic Dockyard's architectural gems.

Built in 1838, the immense covered slip was, when built, the largest wide span timber structure in Europe. No.3 Slip stands at the cusp of technological change, its amazing cantilever roof was built to the design of shipwright Sir Robert Seppings. It features a gracefully curved ‘apse’ at its landward end, designed to accommodate a ship’s bow. Although buildings of this kind were constructed around the world, 3 Slip is now a rare survival.

Today 3 Slip is home to a vast array of epic objects and vehicles from the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, Royal Engineers Museum, Library and Archive and Imperial War Museum collections.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a maritime museum on part of the site of the former royal/naval dockyard at Chatham in Kent, South East England.

Chatham Dockyard covered 162 hectares and was one of the Royal Navy's main facilities for several hundred years until it was closed in 1984. After closure the dockyard was divided into three sections. The easternmost basin was handed over to Medway Ports and is now a commercial port, although the landowner plans to close it in 2025. Another slice was converted into a mixed commercial, residential and leisure development. 32 hectares, comprising the 18th-century core of the site, was transferred to a charity called the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust and is now open as a visitor attraction. It claims to be the world's most complete dockyard of the age of sail.

thedockyard.co.uk/attractions/3-slip-big-space/?srsltid=A...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_Historic_Dockyard

The Ropery, 1786-91, is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Rope has been made on this site since 1618 when the first Rope Yard buildings were completed. Originally there were two long timber single-storey buildings - one used for spinning, the other for rope forming and closing. The present building is a Double Ropehouse where spinning took place on the upper floor and ropemaking on the ground floor Rope Walk.

Rope was an essential commodity in the age of sail with a first rate ship of the line needing around 31 miles of it - over 20 miles for its rigging alone. The Rope Yard operated as a separate business unit within the Dockyard, run by the Clerk of the Ropeyard, with its own workforce recorded separately by the Navy Board to that of the rest of the Dockyard.

Today the Ropery is unique - a traditional naval ropery, complete with its original Georgian and Victorian equipment - that still makes rope commercially. Chatham is the only one of the original four Royal Navy Ropeyards to remain in operation and, together with its related buildings, forms the finest integrated group of 18th century manufacturing buildings in Britain.

The ancient craft of rope making still takes place daily, using traditional techniques mastered centuries ago. These special artisan craftsmen and women are called the Master Ropemakers. Master Ropemakers, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, continues to use the skills and tradition of 400 years of rope making to supply today’s business and leisure markets.

In some cases their use has changed little in 400 years, with Master Ropemakers supplying many of the world’s historic sailing ships with their rope needs – from GANNET, CUTTY SARK and VICTORY in Britain, to the Australian barque ENDEAVOUR.

Master Ropemakers also supplies a wide range of non-maritime customers – from aviaries to zoos. Customers include film production companies, theatres, interior designers, garden designers, sports clubs & gymnasiums, adventure playgrounds, churches and cricket clubs.

thedockyard.co.uk/attractions/the-ropery/?srsltid=AfmBOor...