FinePix S200EXR
Members and their FinePix S200EXRView now
HMS Manchester Pays Off
HMS Manchester is a Batch 3 (stretched) Type 42 Destroyer, built by Vickers (VSEL) in Barrow-in-Furness and commissioned into the Royal Navy in December 1982. She is the last of the ships that I served on to be still in service but she is due to be decommissioned in Portsmouth on 24th February (2011). I learned this afternoon (17-02-2011) at work that she would be passing The Round Tower at Portsmouth Harbour in little over an hour's time at about five to three. I managed to slip away at 2:15 and proceded with all haste to Haslar Marina in Gosport.
As is tradition friends, families and interested parties muster on the Round Tower in Old Portsmouth when warships embark on or return from deployments, or as in this case return for the last time.
The clock in the background reads 14:55 as an Admiralty Pilot stands by in the harbour.
As 5,200 tonnes of warship comes into view around what used to be the submarine base HMS Dolphin, a jet of water fired in salute from an acompanying tug can be seen behind her.
Soon the "Mighty Manch" and following tug are in full view, her paying off pennant streaming into the water behind her.
Her 4.5" Mk8 Naval gun has a firing rate of around 25 rounds per minute and a range of 22 km (12 nm).
Sea Dart surface-to-air missiles, built by British Aerospace. Deliver 22 kg of HE at a speed of Mach 2 to a range of 74 km guided by 909 radar. Live missiles are white, these are drill missiles
Bridge, port bridge wing and fwd 909 radar dome. The radar set up allows Sea Dart to engage two targets simultaneously.
The funnel carries away the exhaust gasses from two Rolls Royce Tyne marine gas turbines each delivering 18000 shaft hp for cruising at up to 22 kts and two Rolls Royce Olympus engines each giving 25000 shp for high speeds (30 + kts). The bee on the funnel badge comes from the crest of the City of Manchester.
Below the funnel badge is one of two Vulcan Phalanx close-in weapons systems (CIWS). They are radar guided 20mm Gatlin Guns with a firing rate of more than 3000 rounds per minute.
The four barrel shaped containers here are self inflating 25 man life rafts.
She's had a few mods and additions since I first joined her but nothing that changes her looks too much. I first joined her at Portsmouth in November 1982 and left in November 1985, then again at Liverpool in November 1987 to March 1990.
Both fwd and aft 909 radar domes are visible as she passes HMS Warrior. The masts of HMS Victory are seen behind the buildings.
The bow wave from the tug made things a little uncomfortable for the small boat and the Gosport Ferry.
Passing HMS Ark Royal
UK Border Agency (used to be Customs) cutter "Seeker".
About to round North Corner Jetty and secure alongside for the last time.
Well, there she goes. My time onboard took me on a Royal Escort (HMY Britania), a six month Falklands patrol in 83-84 spending christmas at sea and new years eve anchored off Grytviken (S. Georgia) where I started writing to Jacqui who was to become my wife, three 6 month Gulf patrols, saw my daughter born (middle of three, two sons) and christned on board (her name is engraved on the ships bell) and given me memories of great runs ashore with great people in great places. Funny how a lump of steel and grey paint can leave such a mark on your life. The ship is going but her spirit lives on at:
http://www.2ndhmsmanchesterassoc.org.uk/.
After all that it's still only twenty passed three, now I've to try and leg it back to work before I'm missed.
- dhobybucket's blog
- Login or register to comment on or report this content
-
Reply to comment
Really good blog. Thanks for posting.
GALLERY
Reply to comment
Great photos and an a lot of spec on this ship. A lot of knowledge obviously gathered to add th the photos.
Thanks for bothering and posting. Also I hope you did not get into trouble at work!!! Haha
Cheers
Steve
My gallery: http://www.myfinepix.ru/gallery/117
My Photoblogs: http://www.myfinepix.ru/blog/117
Reply to comment
Mixed emotions of great pride and sadness seeing this blog. Manchester was the 1st ship launched by VSEL (now BAE Systems) after I came out of my time in the shipyard so it's lovely to see her again, but sad to know her active service is coming to an end.
Worth skiving off work for Kev!
Great blog, thanks for the memories.
Ian
PS I'm chasing BAE for some pics of the recent roll out of HMS Ambush, the 2nd of the Astute class submarines, if and when I get them I'll be putting a blog together of that.
http://www.myfinepix.ru/gallery/311
http://www.myfinepix.ru/blog/311
Reply to comment
What an interesting blog. Excellent photos and plenty of information. You obviously enjoyed your time aboard her.
Best wishes, Mike
My gallery: www.myfinepix.co.uk/gallery/326697
See me on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_butcher/
Reply to comment
Great blog, loads of info and some great shots too.
Thanks, from a Mancunian!
Kaz
Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish. John Jakes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52498776@N02/
Reply to comment
Another superb naval blog Kev, I remember what you said about the paying off pennant, the length of the ship plus a yard for every year of service, is that right? Sad to see though. Nice work again, Steve.
http://tommo-outlook.blogspot.com/2011/03/derelict-witham.html
April comp ent http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/453505
Reply to comment
Brought tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat, a very emotional blog, packed with never to be seen again sights and some interesting imformation. Thanks for sharing.
Delia
Raindrops keep on falling on my head
I'm never gonna stop the rain by complanin'
Reply to comment
Great blog. Lovely pictures following the progress of the ship into harbour. Thanks for posting.
Reply to comment
Interesting informative blog Kev - like it a lot!!
(Is this the one in channel 5 TV series?).
Dave!!
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/395559
http://www.myfinepix.ru/gallery/110
Reply to comment
Yes Dave it is, the Carribean patrol was, I believe, her last major deployment (lucky b*ggers). Some things are a bit different to when I was on there but overall it's pretty much the same.
Kev.
Reply to comment
A terrific blog Kev. Great pictures and interesting information. You must have had very mixed feelings watching her sail in for the last time. Thanks for telling us about it.
Weekend in Whitby http://www.myfinepix.ru/blog/320/444411
My Photoblogs http://www.myfinepix.ru/blog/320
Reply to comment
A great blog with great photo's an interesting narrative and a lot of emotion, thanks for taking the time to put this together and sharing with us. Liked it!
Richard
http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/453101
Reply to comment
Very interesting and sad at the same time. Mike
Reply to comment
Enjoyed very much, great pics and very infomative.
Cheers.
Reply to comment
Great blog Kev. Must have been a very emotional afternoon for you. Interesting too that Ian A was coinnected to the ship as well.
Thanks for taking the time to tell us abouit this. I hope you didn't get into trouble at work.
Cheers.
Jim
May Competition Entry: http://www.myfinepix.co.uk/competition/entry/467714
Reply to comment
Thank you Kev for your outstand blog filled with stunning and colourfull shots which are to join my favourites blogsand thankyou for shareing it with.I hope that you did not get into any trouble and still have a job.best of luck mate.
Kenny the Bolt alias the Grumpy Granda
http://www.myfinepix.ru/gallery/1448
http://www.myfinepix.ru/blog/kenny-bolton