Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

Now known as HM Naval Base Devonport, it is the largest naval base in Western Europe, Devonport has been supporting the Royal Navy since 1691. The vast site covers more than 650 acres and has 15 dry docks, four miles of waterfront, 25 tidal berths and five basins. The base employs 2,500 Service personnel and civilians, supports around 400 local firms and generates around ten per cent of Plymouth’s income.
Devonport is home to Britain’s amphibious ships, survey vessels and half her frigates, plus the training hub of the front-line Fleet, FOST, and the Royal Navy's Amphibious Centre of Excellence at RM Tamar.
Some photos of Devonport and the dockyard
(Thanks to contributors on the old Forum, where many of these photos appeared)

Cracking thread opener Jim - thanks.

TTL joined HMS Belfast in August 1939 as a Mid, he was there for the capture of Cap Norte and when Belfast ran over the magnetic mine. After the damage to Belfast had been assessed it was decided to tow her to Devonport for repairs. She duly arrived there at the end of the year. TTL and Roddy Macdonald, double act, were transferred to HMS Valiant then finishing a 2-year modernisation and fitting of only the 2nd working (not trials) HF/DF, or radar, set in the RN. Valiant was towed out of drydock, and as she vacated it, Belfast was towed in. Fate or coincidence!
tim

absolutely outstanding pictures of Devonport which I only remember from the F17 commission in 1961-3.

In the photo showing three carriers, the one alongside the coaling jetty looks like Unicorn in 1954. With greater magnification you would be able to see me tending the Dockside Donkey Boilers, there were two.

oldsalt wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2019 3:41 pm In the photo showing three carriers, the one alongside the coaling jetty looks like Unicorn in 1954. With greater magnification you would be able to see me tending the Dockside Donkey Boilers, there were two.

Hi Keith, there are actually four carriers in the photo taken in mid 1964. Ark is in 10 dock, Eagle on the outer wall, possibly Centaur? astern of her, Bulwark or Albion at the Coaling jetty and Magnificent up the trot.

Jim

Oh dear I was 10 years too early.

oldsalt wrote: ↑Mon Nov 18, 2019 5:54 pm Oh dear I was 10 years too early.

Never mind Keith, this was Unicorn at Devonport in 1953.

Jim

jbryce1437 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2019 4:36 pm

oldsalt wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2019 3:41 pm In the photo showing three carriers, the one alongside the coaling jetty looks like Unicorn in 1954. With greater magnification you would be able to see me tending the Dockside Donkey Boilers, there were two.

Hi Keith, there are actually four carriers in the photo taken in mid 1964. Ark is in 10 dock, Eagle on the outer wall, possibly Centaur? astern of her, Bulwark or Albion at the Coaling jetty and Magnificent up the trot.

Jim

Actually, the ship astern of Eagle is Hermes - you can see the port flight deck angle, and she carries the giant dustbin radar - which only Eagle, Victorious, and Hermes carried - and that one is definitely not Vicky, as she has the flat full stern, and Vicky's was rounded.

Blackbat242 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2019 6:19 am

jbryce1437 wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2019 4:36 pm

oldsalt wrote: ↑Fri Nov 15, 2019 3:41 pm In the photo showing three carriers, the one alongside the coaling jetty looks like Unicorn in 1954. With greater magnification you would be able to see me tending the Dockside Donkey Boilers, there were two.

Hi Keith, there are actually four carriers in the photo taken in mid 1964. Ark is in 10 dock, Eagle on the outer wall, possibly Centaur? astern of her, Bulwark or Albion at the Coaling jetty and Magnificent up the trot.

Jim

Actually, the ship astern of Eagle is Hermes - you can see the port flight deck angle, and she carries the giant dustbin radar - which only Eagle, Victorious, and Hermes carried - and that one is definitely not Vicky, as she has the flat full stern, and Vicky's was rounded.

Thanks Jon, never thought of looking for radar, I only considered the stern. I have added the name to the original file name for future reference

Jim

In the 1953 photo of Unicorn, I was in the ER when it was taken.