HMNB Devonport (RN)

News and discussion threads concerning defence personnel and their units.
User avatar
SKB
Senior Member
Posts: 7930
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 18:35
England

HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by SKB »

Image
^ HMNB Devonport

Introduction
Her Majesty's Naval Base, Devonport (HMNB Devonport), is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy (the others being HMNB Clyde and HMNB Portsmouth). HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England. Having begun as Royal Navy Dockyard in the late-17th century, it is now the largest naval base in Western Europe and is the sole nuclear repair and refuelling facility for the Royal Navy. Shipbuilding ceased at Devonport in the early 1970s, but ship maintenance work has continued: the now privatised maintenance facilities are operated by Babcock Marine, a division of Babcock International Group, who took over the previous owner Devonport Management Limited (DML) in 2007. From 1934 until the early 21st century the naval barracks on the site was named HMS Drake (it had previously been known as HMS Vivid after the base ship of the same name). Recently, the name HMS Drake was extended to cover the entire base; the barracks buildings are now termed the Fleet Accommodation Centre.

HM Naval Base Devonport is the home port of the Devonport Flotilla which includes the largest ship in the Royal Navy HMS Ocean and the Trafalgar-class submarines. In 2009 the Ministry of Defence announced the conclusion of a long-running review of the long-term role of three naval bases. Devonport will no longer be used as a base for attack submarines after these move to Faslane by 2017, and the Type 45 destroyers are based at Portsmouth. However, Devonport retains a long-term role as the dedicated home of the amphibious fleet, survey vessels and half the frigate fleet.

History
In 1588, the ships of the English Navy set sail for the Spanish Armada through the mouth of the River Plym, thereby establishing the military presence in Plymouth. Sir Francis Drake is now an enduring legacy in Devonport, as the naval base has been named HMS Drake.

In 1689 Prince William of Orange became William III and almost immediately he required the building of a new dockyard west of Portsmouth. Edmund Dummer, Surveyor of the Navy, travelled the West Country searching for an area where a dockyard could be built; he sent in two estimates for sites, one in Plymouth, Cattewater and one further along the coast, on the Hamoaze, a section of the River Tamar, in the parish of Stoke Damerel. Having dismissed the Plymouth site as inadequate, he settled on the Hamoaze area which soon became known as Plymouth Dock, later renamed Devonport. On 30 December 1690, a contract was let for a dockyard to be built: the start of Plymouth (later Devonport) Royal Dockyard. Having selected the location, Dummer was given responsibility for designing and building the new yard.

At the heart of his new dockyard, Dummer placed a stone-lined basin, giving access to what proved to be the first successful stepped stone dry dock in Europe. Previously the Navy Board had relied upon timber as the major building material for dry docks, which resulted in high maintenance costs and was also a fire risk. The docks Dummer designed were stronger with more secure foundations and stepped sides that made it easier for men to work beneath the hull of a docked vessel. These innovations also allowed rapid erection of staging and greater workforce mobility. He discarded the earlier three-sectioned hinged gate, which was labour-intensive in operation, and replaced it with the simpler and more mobile two-sectioned gate.

Dummer wished to ensure that naval dockyards were efficient working units that maximised available space, as evidenced by the simplicity of his design layout at Plymouth Dock. He introduced a centralised storage area alongside the basin, and a logical positioning of other buildings around the yard. His double rope-house combined the previously separate tasks of spinning and laying while allowing the upper floor to be used for the repair of sails. On high ground overlooking the rest of the yard he built a grand terrace of houses for the senior dockyard officers (the first known example in the country of a palace-front terrace).

Most of Dummer's buildings and structures were rebuilt over ensuing years, including the basin and dry dock (today known as No. 1 Basin and No. 1 Dock). The terrace survived into the 20th century, but was largely destroyed in the Blitz along with several others of Devonport's historic buildings. Just one end section of the terrace survives; dating from 1692–96, it is the earliest surviving building in any royal dockyard.

Development of the dockyard
The dockyard was established on the southern tip of the present-day site; it then expanded northwards, in stages, over the next two-and-a-half centuries. The town that grew around the dockyard was called Plymouth Dock up to 1823, when the townspeople petitioned for it to be renamed Devonport. The dockyard followed suit twenty years later, becoming Devonport Royal Dockyard. In just under three centuries over 300 vessels were built at Devonport, the last being HMS Scylla in 1971.

South Yard
The dockyard began in what is now known as the South Yard area of Devonport. It was here that Dummer built his ground-breaking stone dry dock (completely rebuilt in the 1840s).

In the 1760s a period of expansion began, leading to a configuration which (despite subsequent rebuildings) can still be seen today : five slipways, four dry docks and a wet basin (slipways were used for shipbuilding, but the main business of the eighteenth-century yard was the repair, maintenance and equipping of the fleet, for which the dry docks and basin were used). One slipway (1774) survives unaltered from this period (Slip No. 1): a rare survival. It is covered with a timber superstructure of 1814, a similarly rare and early survival of its type; indeed, only three such timber slip covers have survived in Britain, two of them at Devonport (the other, of similar vintage, later housed the Scrieve Board, for full-size drafting of ship designs).

From the beginning, the docks and slips would have been interspersed with workshops specializing in large-scale woodwork (mast houses, shipwrights' sheds etc.). As part of the expansion of the yard in the second half of the 18th century, a new rope-making complex was built (and survives in part, albeit rebuilt following a fire in 1812, alongside the perimeter wall). At around the same time, a smithery was built (1776; though subsequently rebuilt it still stands, the earliest surviving smithery in any royal dockyard). Initially used for the manufacture of anchors and smaller metal items, it would later be expanded to fashion the iron braces with which wooden hulls and decks began to be strengthened; as such, it provided a hint of the huge change in manufacturing technology that would sweep the dockyards in the nineteenth century as sail began to make way for steam, and wood for iron and steel.

The most imposing building of this period, a double-quadrangular storehouse of 1761 probably designed by Thomas Slade, was destroyed in the Plymouth Blitz as were several other buildings of the 18th and early-19th century, including the long and prominent pedimented workshop with its central clocktower, built to accommodate a range of woodworkers and craftsmen, and Edward Holl's Dockyard Church of 1814.

Morice Yard (New Gun Wharf)
Provision of ships' armaments was not the responsibility of the Navy but of the independent Board of Ordnance, which already had a wharf and storage facility in the Mount Wise area of Plymouth. This, however, began to prove insufficient and in 1719 the board established a new gun wharf on land leased from one Sir Nicholas Morice, immediately to the north of the established Dockyard. The Morice Yard was a self-contained establishment with its own complex of workshops, workers, officers, offices and storehouses. Gunpowder was stored on site, which began to be a cause for concern among local residents (as was the older store in the Royal Citadel within the city of Plymouth). In time new gunpowder magazines were built further north, first at Keyham (1770s), but later (having to make way for further dockyard expansion) relocating to Bull Point (1850).

In contrast to South Yard, which fared badly in the Blitz, most of the original building survive at Morice Yard, enclosed behind their contemporary boundary wall. On higher ground behind the wharf itself is a contemporary terrace of houses for officers (1720), built from stone rubble excavated during the yard's construction.

Morice Ordnance Yard remained independent from the dockyard until 1941, at which point it was integrated into the larger complex.

Keyham (the North Yard)
A ship alongside the wharf in front of the Quadrangle Building (left) and a covered dry dock (right)
In the mid-nineteenth century, all royal dockyards faced the challenge of responding to the advent first of steam power and then metal hulls. Those unable to expand were closed; the rest underwent a transformation through growth and mechanisation. At Devonport, in 1864, a separate, purpose-built steam yard was opened on a self-contained site at Keyham, just to the north of Morice Yard (and a subterranean tunnel was built linking the new yard with the old). A pair of basins (8-9 acres each) were constructed: No. 2 Basin gave access to three large dry-docks, while No. 3 Basin was the frontispiece to a huge integrated manufacturing complex. This became known as the Quadrangle: it housed foundries, forges, pattern shops, boilermakers and all manner of specialized workshops. Two stationary steam engines drove line shafts and heavy machinery, and the multiple flues were drawn by a pair of prominent chimneys. The building still stands, and is Grade I listed; architectural detailing was by Sir Charles Barry. English Heritage calls it 'one of the most remarkable engineering buildings in the country'.

In 1880 a Royal Naval Engineering College was established at Keyham, housed in a new building just outside the dockyard wall alongside the Quadrangle where students (who joined at 15 years of age) gained hands-on experience of the latest naval engineering techniques. The Engineering College moved to nearby Manadon in 1958; the Jacobethan-style building then went on to house the Dockyard Technical College for a time, but was demolished in 1985.

In 1895 the decision was taken to expand the North Yard to accommodate the increasing size of modern warships. By 1907 it had more than doubled in size with the addition of No. 4 and No. 5 Basins (of 10 and 35 acres respectively), linked by a very large lock-cum-dock, 730 ft in length, alongside three more dry-docks of a similar size, able to "accommodate ships larger than any war-vessel yet constructed".

The Naval Barracks (HMS Drake)
Until the late nineteenth century, sailors whose ships were being repaired or refitted, or who were awaiting allocation to a vessel, were accommodated in floating hulks. Construction of an onshore barracks, just north-east of the North Yard, was completed in 1889 with accommodation for 2,500; sailors and officers moved in in June of that year. In 1894 a contingent of sixty Royal Navy homing pigeons was accommodated on the site. The prominent clock tower was built in 1896, containing a clock and bell by Gillett & Johnston; it initially functioned as a semaphore tower. 1898 saw the barracks expand to accommodate a further 1,000 men. The wardroom block dates from this period. More buildings were added in the early years of the twentieth century, including St Nicholas's Church.


Today
The Royal Navy Dockyard consists of fourteen dry docks (docks numbered 1 to 15, but there is no 13 Dock), four miles (6 km) of waterfront, twenty-five tidal berths, five basins and an area of 650 acres (2.6 km²). The dockyard employs 2,500 service personnel and civilians, supports circa 400 local firms and contributes approximately 10% to the income of Plymouth. It is the base for the Trafalgar-class nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarines and the main refitting base for all Royal Navy nuclear submarines. Work was completed by Carillion in 2002 to build a refitting dock to support the Vanguard-class Trident missile nuclear ballistic missile submarines. Devonport serves as headquarters for the Flag Officer Sea Training, which is responsible for the training of all the ships of the Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, along with many from foreign naval services. The nuclear submarine refit base was put into special measures in 2013 by the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and it could be 2020 before enhanced monitoring ceases. Safety concerns on ageing facilities, stretched resources and increasing demand are blamed for the measures.

The historic South Yard is no longer used by the Ministry of Defence, though it is still a closed site and subject to security restrictions. The deep-water access it offers has made the site desirable for manufacturers of 'superyachts'. In 2012 Princess Yachts acquired the freehold to 20 acres with a view to building a construction facility. In 2014 it was announced, as part of a 'City Deal' regeneration agreement, that the South Yard would be 'unlocked' with a view to it becoming a 'marine industries hub'.

The nuclear-powered submarine HMS Courageous, used in the Falklands War, is preserved in South Yard. The Devonport Naval Heritage Centre is a maritime museum in Devonport Historic South Yard.


Nickname
The Naval base at Devonport is still nicknamed "Guzz" (or, sometimes, "Guz") by sailors and marines. One suggestion is that this originates from the word guzzle (to eat or drink greedily), which is likely to refer to the eating of cream teas, a West Country delicacy and, therefore, one with strong connections to the area around Plymouth. Another explanation advanced is that "GUZZ" was the radio call sign for the nearby Admiralty wireless station (which was GZX) at Devil's Point, though this is disputed and has recently been disproved by reference to actual wireless telegraphy callsigns in existence over the past century.

Another explanation is that the name came from the Hindi word for a yard (36 inches), "guz", (also spelled "guzz", at the time) which entered the Oxford English Dictionary, and Royal Navy usage, in the late 19th century, as sailors used to regularly abbreviate "The Dockyard" to simply "The Yard", leading to the slang use of the Hindi word for the unit of measurement of the same name. The Plymouth Herald newspaper attempted to summarise the differing theories, but no firm conclusion was reached.

Charles Causley referred to Guz in one of his poems, "Song of the Dying Gunner A.A.1", published in 1951.


Devonport Flotilla
Ships based at the port are known as the Devonport Flotilla. This includes the Navy's assault ships HMS Ocean, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. It also serves as home port to most of the hydrographic surveying fleet of the Royal Navy and seven Type 23 frigates. The previous commodore of the Devonport Flotilla was Commodore Peter Walpole ADC who assumed command in September 2005. As of February 2011, it is commanded by Commodore Steve Chick. Other important Royal Navy staff such as the commander of the UK Task Group, are based there.

Amphibious assault ships
HMS Ocean (LPH)
HMS Albion (LPD)
HMS Bulwark (LPD)

Type 23 frigates
HMS Argyll
HMS Monmouth
HMS Montrose
HMS Northumberland
HMS Portland
HMS Somerset
HMS Sutherland

Trafalgar-class submarines
HMS Torbay
HMS Trenchant
HMS Talent
HMS Triumph

Surveying squadron
HMS Echo
HMS Enterprise
HMS Gleaner
HMS Scott

Antarctic patrol ship
HMS Protector

Archer-class patrol vessels
HMS Dasher - University Royal Naval Unit


Other units based at Devonport
* Flag Officer Sea Training
* Hydrographic, Meteorological & Oceanographic Training Group
* HQ Amphibious Task Group
* HMS Vivid RNR
* Royal Marines Tamar/1 Assault Group Royal Marines
* 10 Landing Craft Training Squadron
* 4 Assault Squadron
* 6 Assault Squadron
* 9 Assault Squadron
* 539 Assault Squadron
* Supacat manufacturing unit
* South West Armed Forces Rehabilitation Unit
* Hasler Company Royal Marines
* Southern Diving Group RN
* Defence Estates South West
* HQ Western Division Ministry of Defence Police
* CID Devonport MOD Police
* DSG Devonport MOD Police


Navy Days
Navy Days happens once every two years when for two days at the end of the summer a large part of Devonport Dockyard is open to the general public. There is an opportunity to view the facilities at the naval base as well as a number of Royal Navy and allied naval vessels present. There are a large number of stands and displays present which provide of information on some of the less well known aspects of the Royal Navy, for example the Royal Navy submarine rescue service.

User avatar
SKB
Senior Member
Posts: 7930
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 18:35
England

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by SKB »

Work suspended on warship in Plymouth's Devonport Dockyard after hangar door 'ripped off' by storm
WORK has been temporarily suspended on a warship in Devonport Dockyard after a hangar door was "ripped off" during Storm Imogen and blown on to it. HMS Argyll was inside the hangar as part of a refit programme when the incident happened last night.
More: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Hangar- ... z3zrr7t14f

User avatar
SKB
Senior Member
Posts: 7930
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 18:35
England

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by SKB »


User avatar
GibMariner
Senior Member
Posts: 1351
Joined: 12 May 2015, 14:17

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by GibMariner »

I've just remembered a few articles I came across a couple of years ago about proposals to sell off Devonport's South Yard (or at least parts of it) for private development. Does anyone know whether that went ahead or if it's been sold off yet or not?

Once it's done, will we still be able to claim we have the largest naval base in Western Europe? :lol:

hopper
Member
Posts: 37
Joined: 28 Nov 2015, 21:29
United Kingdom

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by hopper »

South Yard is no longer used by the MOD , Princess yachts acquired some land there a few years back for a new construction facility for larger boats . Think if memory serves me right the city were trying to turn it into a maritime facility as part of a larger regeneration with maybe the university involved but to be honest have not heard anything recently about it . regards

User avatar
GibMariner
Senior Member
Posts: 1351
Joined: 12 May 2015, 14:17

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by GibMariner »

Cheers hopper. Found the following from the Plymouth City Council:
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/southyeardma ... tioncampus
Transforming Plymouth's South Yard
South Yard in Devonport Dockyard, with its unique deepwater docks, will be at the heart of this campus acting as a catalyst for growth. It will become a hub for design companies, provide engineering and composites workshops for manufacturing, offer lab space for research while creating 1,200 highly skilled jobs.

South Yard is part of the HM Naval Base located in Devonport Dockyard Plymouth. From April 2015, key areas of South Yard have started to be transferred from the Ministry of Defence to Plymouth City Council, bringing a unique complex of industrial buildings and docks into commercial use and offering an exceptional investment opportunity in a prime marine location.

The site will offer 25,000 sq m of flexible employment space and deep water testing facilities suitable for the marine and advanced manufacturing sector.
Along with a brochure (http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/south_yard_4 ... 15_lr2.pdf) and the development's website (http://www.southyardplymouth.co.uk/) which shows the plans in 3 phases over 2016/17.

User avatar
SKB
Senior Member
Posts: 7930
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 18:35
England

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by SKB »

* deleted *

User avatar
GibMariner
Senior Member
Posts: 1351
Joined: 12 May 2015, 14:17

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by GibMariner »

HMS Raleigh opens its gates to the public
HMS Raleigh is preparing to open its gates to visitors on Wednesday 27 July to allow members of the public to take a look behind the scenes at the training base in Torpoint.

The establishment, the largest Royal Navy training base in the South West, will be open from noon until 5 pm for a free afternoon of family entertainment.

Visitors will be able to take a look at a range of displays and demonstrations designed to show the variety of training carried out at the base; from induction to new recruits to fire-fighting, weapons training, submarine operations and logistics.

Highlights will include a parachute jump by the Royal Navy Raiders Parachute display team, a military working dog display, cooking demonstration, a Field Gun run and performances by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Plymouth.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-la ... the-public

User avatar
GibMariner
Senior Member
Posts: 1351
Joined: 12 May 2015, 14:17

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by GibMariner »

Petition to UK Parliament calling for the retention of RM Stonehouse barracks: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/166467

Seven places in Plymouth that used to be military sites: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/militar ... story.html

User avatar
GibMariner
Senior Member
Posts: 1351
Joined: 12 May 2015, 14:17

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by GibMariner »

Plymouth Tests Response To Nuclear Reactor Emergencies
How would Plymouth cope with a nuclear reactor emergency?

A siren will sound across the city on Wednesday as part of a test.

Devonport dockyard and the MoD are among those running operation Short Sermon. Personnel will have to take shelter or evacuate but locals will not be affected.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "As a routine part of the Ministry of Defence, Babcock and Plymouth City Council’s contingency planning, a one-day nuclear emergency response exercise will take place on Wednesday 14th September.

"Code-named Exercise Short Sermon 16, the day is designed to test the procedures in place for dealing with a nuclear reactor emergency involving a nuclear-powered submarine at Devonport. During the day personnel from approximately 27 agencies will be responding at the tactical, operational and strategic levels in Plymouth, Exeter, and Truro.

"Alongside the Ministry of Defence and Babcock, agencies participating include; Plymouth City Council; Cornwall Council; Devon and Cornwall Police; Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service; South West Ambulance Service Trust; Public Health England; South West Water; The Highways Agency; Network Rail; Environment Agency; Met Office and the Department for Energy & Climate Change Radiation Information Monitoring Network.

"As part of the exercise personnel working at Devonport Dockyard and the Naval Base will be required to take shelter or be evacuated to pre-designated shelter stations on the Devonport site. Members of the public outside the Naval Base will not be affected or required to take any action.
"Part of the exercise will include the simulated distribution of potassium iodate tablets in selected areas outside the Devonport site and this is achieved by teams of Royal Navy personnel delivering notices through letter boxes. The exact areas involved in this part of the exercise will depend on weather conditions as outlined by the exercise directors and will not be known by the exercise players until the day. If members of the public receive notices through their letter boxes there is no need for them to take any action.
http://www.piratefm.co.uk/news/latest-n ... ergencies/

User avatar
SKB
Senior Member
Posts: 7930
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 18:35
England

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by SKB »


It seems siren tests are very regular at Devonport

User avatar
GibMariner
Senior Member
Posts: 1351
Joined: 12 May 2015, 14:17

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by GibMariner »

SKB wrote: It seems siren tests are very regular at Devonport
Also happens quite regularly in Gib, residents near the dockyard are used to the sound of the siren.

dmereifield
Senior Member
Posts: 2762
Joined: 03 Aug 2016, 20:29
United Kingdom

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by dmereifield »

Incase anyone hasn't seen this:



Interesting documentary, from a civilian perspective at least. Slightly over dramatised of course. Does anyone know if they made further episodes and if so, where/how to view them?

User avatar
GibMariner
Senior Member
Posts: 1351
Joined: 12 May 2015, 14:17

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by GibMariner »

RM Tamar is 'most obvious' new home for Stonehouse Royal Marines, say councillors
An amphibious training centre in Devonport is the most obvious place for 700 Royal Marines to relocate once Stonehouse Barracks has been sold, according to the council leader.

Cllr Ian Bowyer says he has received assurances from the Ministry of Defence that Plymouth City Council will be consulted over the future of 3 Commando Brigade, currently based at the historic barracks in Durnford Street.

The barracks is set to close by 2020 and Cllr Bowyer says RM Tamar, home to the Royal Marines' amphibious training squadron, could be a perfect alternative.

"People in the city feel Plymouth is the home of the Royal Marines, we've had a close relationship for over 260 years and people are very proud of that service connection," he said.

"The potential loss is significant, something like £15million per year. For a city of our size this is disappointing, unexpected and unwelcome, so we should be shouting loud and clear.

"The MoD have come to the conclusion that Stonehouse Barracks is not the long-term future for the Royal Marines in terms of a modern fighting force of the 21st century.

"But certainly given the presence of this base at Bull Point, and given also the marines' long-standing amphibious capability, that to me is the most obvious location and that's what I'm pushing Government ministers to rapidly come forward with a plan to deliver.

"By locating 3 Commando Brigade on this site, the Government will be ensuring that the continuity in the city, and our relationship with the Royal Marines, will go on undiminished."
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/rm-tama ... story.html

dmereifield
Senior Member
Posts: 2762
Joined: 03 Aug 2016, 20:29
United Kingdom

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by dmereifield »


User avatar
GibMariner
Senior Member
Posts: 1351
Joined: 12 May 2015, 14:17

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by GibMariner »

More on closure of RM Stonehouse Barracks: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/8203-mo ... story.html

News expected today on the future of Plymouth's military facilities - HMNB Devonport, the Royal Citadel, Bickleigh Barracks and HMS Raleigh all under review: http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/future- ... story.html

Michael Fallon expected to make an announcement in the House of Commons at 16:30.

marktigger
Senior Member
Posts: 4640
Joined: 01 May 2015, 10:22
United Kingdom

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by marktigger »

be interesting to see where the barracks are developed for the Commando Brigade will it be in Plymouth or round HMS Raleigh......But will there be enough infrastructure to support the rest brigade and their families is there enough school places etc

dmereifield
Senior Member
Posts: 2762
Joined: 03 Aug 2016, 20:29
United Kingdom

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by dmereifield »

I would be very interested to hear from anyone with recent experience of the accommodation and facilities at the Royal Citadel and the Stonehouse barracks - are they really not fit for purpose? To the extent that some minor investment wouldn't bring them up to scratch?

I can't see the that the financial rationale for disposing of these sites is sufficient to abandon 350 years of history and tradition. From what I understand, the disposal of all 91 sites will only save £140 million a year, so we are talking a couple of million per annum saved for losing each site (on average) - and other reports indicate that £26 million has been spent maintaining the Citadel over the last decade - these values are less than a rounding error in the total defence budget. In the case of the Citadel the MoD can't even sell it, it will go back to the Crown.

I'm sure some sites on the list probably are surplus to requirements, and may have little historic or cultural value, but to sell the family silver as well, for a tuppence, is a disgrace.

The only silver lining would be if the supposed new investment in the amphibious centre of excellence really does yield new facilities and capabilities (and isn't civil servant BS lingo) and that the marines and their families ended up with significantly improved accommodation. That's also assuming that the Citadel and Stonehouse barracks are sympathetically redeveloped into something useful/beneficial to Plymouthians and the local economy.

Both the Plymouth MPs are spinning this as a long term benefit, so I'd be really interested to hear the views of anyone currently serving in 29 or 3 Commando, or from anyone that might be aware of the reaction to this from friends/family currently serving

User avatar
SKB
Senior Member
Posts: 7930
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 18:35
England

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by SKB »


User avatar
SKB
Senior Member
Posts: 7930
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 18:35
England

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by SKB »

HMS Montrose rededicated in Devonport

Image
Image
Image
Image

User avatar
SKB
Senior Member
Posts: 7930
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 18:35
England

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by SKB »

Defence Secretary announces Type 23 base port moves

(Royal Navy)
Changes to the base porting of the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates will see some new additions to the flotillas of Portsmouth and Devonport.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson today announced a series of moves which will see the Royal Navy’s eight Type 23 anti-submarine warfare frigates all based in Plymouth, while the remaining five general purposes frigates will be based in Portsmouth.

The moves will see some frigates switching from one naval base to another, and will bring benefits to force generation, operational readiness, training and logistics as well as more stability for ships’ crews and their families.

The base port changes will take place during unmanned maintenance and upkeep periods over a period of five years, starting with the move of HMS Richmond from Portsmouth to Plymouth in 2018.

Clive F
Member
Posts: 176
Joined: 10 Dec 2015, 12:48
United Kingdom

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by Clive F »

So T26 to Plymouth then? T31 to Portsmouth?

User avatar
SKB
Senior Member
Posts: 7930
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 18:35
England

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by SKB »

I was thinking that too. Possibly.

I suppose it does make sense to have the ASW frigates based with the submarines in Devonport. But I think a minimum of 2 ASW frigates should be based in Portsmouth for QE and PoW protection/escort.

dmereifield
Senior Member
Posts: 2762
Joined: 03 Aug 2016, 20:29
United Kingdom

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by dmereifield »

SKB wrote:I was thinking that too. Possibly.

I suppose it does make sense to have the ASW frigates based with the submarines in Devonport. But I think a minimum of 2 ASW frigates should be based in Portsmouth for QE and PoW protection/escort.
But the submarines won't be in Devonport much longer. It seems rather odd to me, wouldn't it be better to have the ASW frigates based with the carriers? Not that I'm complaining, more hulls down here is nice, and against the run of play as of late....

User avatar
SKB
Senior Member
Posts: 7930
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 18:35
England

Re: HMNB Devonport (RN)

Post by SKB »


Post Reply