Monday, 30 September 2013

Kent - Chatham Historic Dockyard

HMS Victory model at the reception of the dockyard.

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No 3 Covered Slip, 1838
The largest timber slip cover built for the Royal Navy, at the time of its construction it was one of the world's largest  timber span structures. The curved apsidal end to the slip matched the shape of a ship's bow. In 1901 an internal steel mezzanine was added when the slip was adapted for use as a boat store. We were very impressed with this building.

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Photo of a photo showing the covered slip.

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HMS Gannet is a sloop of the Victorian Royal Navy.
She was built at Sheerness in 1878 and patrolled the world's oceans flying the flag and protecting British interests and trade. She was powered by both sail and steam.

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HMS Gannet’s  figurehead

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HM Submarine Ocelot was laid down at Chatham Dockyard in Nov. 1960. She was launched two years later in May 1962. Significantly Ocelot was the last submarine to be built in Chatham Dockyard for the Royal Navy.  Ocelot was paid off in August 1991 and returned to Chatham Historic Dockyard in 1992.

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HMS Cavalier is a retired C-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was laid down by J. Samuel White and Company at East Cowes on 28 March 1943, launched on 7 April 1944, and commissioned on 22 November 1944

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Sue trying out two new ways of transport.
’Call the Midwife’ was partly filmed at the dockyard hence the ‘cut-out’ for your own photo.

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 The Ropery, 1786-91
Rope has been made on this site since 1618. Today Chatham is the only one of the original four naval ropeyards still in operation and with much of its original machinery and all its buildings complete.

Aerial photo of the ropery The ropery sizes

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There is a 40 minute guided tour of the ropery with a rope making demonstration. It was very informative and entertaining.

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Looking down the ropery

The finished product

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Stuart trying out the Captain’s chair for size

View down the River Medway from the dockyard

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Shipbuilding on the Clyde  - painting by Stanley Spencer in the art gallery

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HM Turret Ship ‘Devastation’ – detail from the painting in the art gallery.

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Left hand down a bit!

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Another ropey photo

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To be continued ………

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