Sub/Skimmer spotting

Cohaagen · 04-18-08, 06:23 AM

This is a thread for any of us lucky enough to live near naval bases or areas frequented by navy ships. Because of my vantage point which gives me an excellent view out into the Firth of Clyde, I get a great swatch of any naval/merchant shipping movement.

In the last month I've seen:

HMS Daring on her trials (still under the blue ensign, so evidently not commissioned as yet). I have one or two crap photographs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_45_destroyer

River Class patrol ship, probably HMS Clyde (outside my window right now)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_class_patrol_vessel

A very battered looking Trafalgar class sub on its way to Faslane (didn't spot a Jolly Roger as my binoc's weren't strong enough)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafalgar_class_submarine

Unidentified Arleigh Burke class heading up the Clyde firth, possibly to the Gare Loch (about an hour ago)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arleigh...lass_destroyer

A couple of months ago I also saw a Vanguard class bomber out in the Firth looking very sinister (as they usually do).

Later still I've seen Ticonderogas (one of which rather tastelessly threatened to shoot up a tiny civilian passenger ferry), Type 23s, German diesel subs, a barge carrying the entire bow section of a Type 45 up toward Scotstoun shipyard, Swiftsure class fleet boats, Hunt and Sandown MCMVs (fitted with some very ally M134 miniguns), lots of auxilliaries including RFA Fort Rosalie, and plenty other foreign vessels which I couldn't identify.

When the QE2 passed through here a few months ago on her last trip as a cruise liner there were a couple of small MODPOL boats from Faslane escorting her. Much more intriguing, though, were the sightings of mysterious guys in black drysuits zooming around out in the Firth and close to shore on extremely ally-looking black jetskis. I saw a couple about 20 yards offshore in Kirn, but didn't get a picture. I figured they were very likely RM Fleet Protection (ex-Commachio Group) or SBS.

In addition to ship-spotting here, when I lived on Loch Fyne as a young lad I witnessed many speed trials up and down the length of the loch. Lots of Type 22s and 42s and the odd diesel sub, eg. Upholder and others. Moreover, our house, which my father still occupies, was right next door to a DERA (Defence Evaluation & Research Agency, now Qinetiq) testing establishment. They used to turn up once every month or so and conduct hush-hush tests of towed-arrays, hull sonar, ROVs and the like. And of course, up 'til 1991 we had SUBRON 14 in the Holy Loch with the USS Simon Lake and, before that, the Hunley, with all the traffic they brought with them.

Anyone else made some good spots recently?

lesrae · 04-18-08, 06:48 AM

As an ex-Helensburgh lad it's nice to hear from someone from back up where the scenery is :O)

I've recently done some work on various River Class, Type 23s, Type 42s, Trafalgars, survey ships and RFAs (bringing me back up to Glen Mallen which is always welcome). But it looks like I may have to do some ship to shore integration work on HMS Astute which is obviously a biggie to look forward to.

PS - That's not HMS Clyde outside your window, she's gone on deployment. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/HmsClydeSetsSailForTheSouthAtlanticvideo.htm

mcf1 · 04-18-08, 07:19 AM

Nice! you got some nice view

XabbaRus · 04-18-08, 08:18 AM

lesrae, talking about Astute and you seem in the know, how is the programme going?

Cohaagen · 04-18-08, 09:21 AM

Yet another spot - just saw HMS Bulwark (L15), amphibious warfare assault ship, accompanied by a MODPOL launch a few hundred yards off the Western Ferries terminal at the mouth of the Holy Loch. Got a few snaps, which I may post later, but nothing particularly good.

lesrae · 04-19-08, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

lesrae, talking about Astute and you seem in the know, how is the programme going?

Not really my area I'm afraid, closer to the time we'll get told when she'll be at Faslane, but to my knowledge it's going roughly to plan. There are bound to be delays with the first of class, but she seems fine and should be at sea soon.

My main job is managing the installation of the restricted/secret computer network onboard ships, but BAE were contracted to supply these boats with a network so we're not working on them at this time. Another of my responsibilites is the integration of the afloat networks to the MoD shore network - that's what I'll be looking at on Astute.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cohaagen

Yet another spot - just saw HMS Bulwark (L15), amphibious warfare assault ship...

I got lost on her sister ship, HMS Albion, once - very embarassing

Cohaagen · 04-19-08, 12:29 PM

Bulwark as she appeared yesterday. Crap picture I know, but it's the best I could get out of my wee digital cam from about half a mile away. Note the MODPOL launch in attendance in case of any fast dinghies full of ANFO or other nasties.

It's too fuzzy to make out the two meaty Goalkeeper CIWS she's packing, or the decoy launchers. No Exocet getting through those, that's for sure.

04-18-08, 06:23 AM	#1
Cohaagen Frogman Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK Posts: 296 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Sub/Skimmer spotting This is a thread for any of us lucky enough to live near naval bases or areas frequented by navy ships. Because of my vantage point which gives me an excellent view out into the Firth of Clyde, I get a great swatch of any naval/merchant shipping movement. In the last month I've seen: HMS Daring on her trials (still under the blue ensign, so evidently not commissioned as yet). I have one or two crap photographs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_45_destroyer River Class patrol ship, probably HMS Clyde (outside my window right now) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_class_patrol_vessel A very battered looking Trafalgar class sub on its way to Faslane (didn't spot a Jolly Roger as my binoc's weren't strong enough) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafalgar_class_submarine Unidentified Arleigh Burke class heading up the Clyde firth, possibly to the Gare Loch (about an hour ago) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arleigh...lass_destroyer A couple of months ago I also saw a Vanguard class bomber out in the Firth looking very sinister (as they usually do). Later still I've seen Ticonderogas (one of which rather tastelessly threatened to shoot up a tiny civilian passenger ferry), Type 23s, German diesel subs, a barge carrying the entire bow section of a Type 45 up toward Scotstoun shipyard, Swiftsure class fleet boats, Hunt and Sandown MCMVs (fitted with some very ally M134 miniguns), lots of auxilliaries including RFA Fort Rosalie, and plenty other foreign vessels which I couldn't identify. When the QE2 passed through here a few months ago on her last trip as a cruise liner there were a couple of small MODPOL boats from Faslane escorting her. Much more intriguing, though, were the sightings of mysterious guys in black drysuits zooming around out in the Firth and close to shore on extremely ally-looking black jetskis. I saw a couple about 20 yards offshore in Kirn, but didn't get a picture. I figured they were very likely RM Fleet Protection (ex-Commachio Group) or SBS. In addition to ship-spotting here, when I lived on Loch Fyne as a young lad I witnessed many speed trials up and down the length of the loch. Lots of Type 22s and 42s and the odd diesel sub, eg. Upholder and others. Moreover, our house, which my father still occupies, was right next door to a DERA (Defence Evaluation & Research Agency, now Qinetiq) testing establishment. They used to turn up once every month or so and conduct hush-hush tests of towed-arrays, hull sonar, ROVs and the like. And of course, up 'til 1991 we had SUBRON 14 in the Holy Loch with the USS Simon Lake and, before that, the Hunley, with all the traffic they brought with them. Anyone else made some good spots recently?

04-18-08, 08:18 AM	#4
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	lesrae, talking about Astute and you seem in the know, how is the programme going? __________________

04-18-08, 06:48 AM	#2
lesrae Grey Wolf Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Somerset, UK. Posts: 932 Downloads: 31 Uploads: 0	As an ex-Helensburgh lad it's nice to hear from someone from back up where the scenery is :O) I've recently done some work on various River Class, Type 23s, Type 42s, Trafalgars, survey ships and RFAs (bringing me back up to Glen Mallen which is always welcome). But it looks like I may have to do some ship to shore integration work on HMS Astute which is obviously a biggie to look forward to. PS - That's not HMS Clyde outside your window, she's gone on deployment. http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/HmsClydeSetsSailForTheSouthAtlanticvideo.htm

04-18-08, 07:19 AM	#3
mcf1 Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Greece, Volos Posts: 710 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Nice! you got some nice view

04-18-08, 09:21 AM	#5
Cohaagen Frogman Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK Posts: 296 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Yet another spot - just saw HMS Bulwark (L15), amphibious warfare assault ship, accompanied by a MODPOL launch a few hundred yards off the Western Ferries terminal at the mouth of the Holy Loch. Got a few snaps, which I may post later, but nothing particularly good.

04-19-08, 12:29 PM	#7
Cohaagen Frogman Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK Posts: 296 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Bulwark as she appeared yesterday. Crap picture I know, but it's the best I could get out of my wee digital cam from about half a mile away. Note the MODPOL launch in attendance in case of any fast dinghies full of ANFO or other nasties. It's too fuzzy to make out the two meaty Goalkeeper CIWS she's packing, or the decoy launchers. No Exocet getting through those, that's for sure.