RN Frigates: Type 23 Duke Class

[ivorthediver]

Hmmm....." Devine messenger "...David I would expect no less Sir

[Pelican]

Tweet from: Gunny FouthTimeLucky

So now we’ve got a rough ballpark figure of 2k a month for an AB on a deployable Type 23 frigate.

Let’s look at the accommodation. This is home when away, for months on end. If you are alongside base port and live up north, or are a ‘naval orphan’, it’s still home.

Every fourth day alongside you were duty, and therefore got one Friday a month and a duty weekend. Yes you live four miles away. Unlucky.

Mess square. Long ago there would be bunks here but things have moved on (thank God). Now there won’t be room for everyone to sit, but at sea there are always people asleep or on-watch. But even then, say for a film night, you may find yourself sat on the floor.

This is quite spacious and on an early batch Type 42 it was roughly two thirds this size with six bunks.
..........etc.

Your Gucci sleeping pod. Middle pit best in my opinion. Often the ‘gulches’ where the bunks are will be red lit. This is a few feet from the mess square above, so noise is a drama until you get used to it.

As is the snoring, benching and farting. Again, in a war zone, it will be more austere. Curtains lashed back or stowed. Bedding zipped up if not used and, in 1991, that wasn’t an issue as everyone slept in action working dress on top of their pit.

For thread of all Tweets on subject go to - https://twitter.com/FouthTimeLucky/stat ... 8657955150 - and scroll down.

[ivorthediver]

obviously the voice of experience speaking here eh David ....

[Brian James]

Type 23 Class Frigate HMS Iron Duke pictured on departure from HMNB Portsmouth on January 10th 2024.

[jbryce1437]

See the ship and meet the men:

HMS Northumberland
Members of the public can visit a serving warship at Northumbrian Quay (Royal Quays, North Shields).
The open day is on Saturday 27th January 2024 between 10am and 3pm where visitors can board HMS Northumberland and even try a sailing simulation.
Royal Quays is accessible from South Tyneside by bus and metro as well as the Shields Ferry, then connecting bus. Free parking is available too.
She will be entering the River Tyne around 1000hrs on 25th so should be a good photographing opportunity.

[Pelican]

HMS Portland inbound to Devonport this morning.
Harpoon mounts have been removed in preparation for receiving Naval Strike Missiles.
Photo at - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 7457593753

[Pelican]

HMS Richmond conducts air defence exercise with Hellenic Airforce F-4E Phantom II and SNMG2 warships South East of Karpathos this week.
Richmond is now alongside in Souda Bay before she heads for the Suez Canal.
See - https://www.haf.gr/2024/01/synekpaideys ... ameis-tis/

[Pelican]

HMS Argyll out of the sheds at the Frigate Support Centre in Devonport this week.
Upkeep work has clearly been done on her but unclear from photo if refit abandoned, pending scrapping (as per unverified report in the Telegraph on 4th Jan).

[Pelican]

HMS Northumberland
All of us in HMS NORTHUMBERLAND are looking forward to returning to the North East this weekend.
The Ship will be ‘open to visitors’ between 1000-1500 on Saturday and we look forward to welcoming you on board.
See video at - https://twitter.com/HMSNORT/status/1750252392933626143 - They will visiting North Shields.

[Pelican]

HMS Northumberland
All of us in HMS NORTHUMBERLAND are looking forward to returning to the North East this weekend.
The Ship will be ‘open to visitors’ between 1000-1500 on Saturday and we look forward to welcoming you on board.
See video at - https://twitter.com/HMSNORT/status/1750252392933626143 - They will visiting North Shields.

HMS NORT arrived on Tyneside this morning escorted by Tynemouth RNLI
Open to the public at Northumberland Quay, North Shields this Saturday 1000-1500.
Photo at - https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/ ... 8973100123 & https://twitter.com/HMSNORT/status/1750491592526336488