Dockyard News

This page provides links to recent news stories that are likely to be of interest to society members. Scroll down (scroll bar at bottom left) for the full range of stories. Please notify of us of items worthy of inclusion here, and of any links that no longer function. Newly added stories are in italics.

The huge crane at the Submarine Refitting Complex in Devonport - the largest in Western Europe - is to be dismantled this autumn. The following report gives a detailed account of the method that will be employed:

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Landmark-crane-removed/article-209647-detail/article.html

Although not strictly a 'dockyards' story, the recent discovery of the virtually intact sloop HMS Ontario (1780) in the Great Lakes is too remarkable to omit. Video footage of the wreck can be found at the following link: http://www.shipwreckworld.com/weblink/raw-video-footage-of-hms-ontario-shipwreck.aspx

Recent construction work at the Malta Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa has unearthed original gearwheel machinery from the building's previous use as the bakery built in the 1840s as part of the Royal Navy victualling yard. See http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=70306

In March, fire badly damaged a historic 19th century storehouse at the former Haulbowline Dockyard in Cork Harbour, the headquarters of the Irish Naval Service:

www.rte.ie/news/2008/0312/cork.html