The demise of Woolworth was bad enough (didn't they once build aircraft carriers? ;-) ) but now I read in the Pompey News that the equally iconic Vosper Thornycroft is to stop building ships after 150 years in order to concentrate on 'other areas'. They are selling their share of the BVT shipbuilding business to BAe and I'm surprised that this significant event hasn't received more attention in RN circles. Read more about the history of Vosper Thornycroft here.
I served in a couple of ships built at V-T's Woolston yard at Southampton including the world's first plastic warship, HMS Wilton. I also remember seeing corvettes, FPBs and other craft being built at V-T's yards on the Camber in Old Portsmouth and in Portchester. And who can forget all those sleek power boats and coastal forces craft built during the first half of the 20th century? 'Tis a sad day for UK maritime history.
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V-T Yard at the Camber in Old Portsmouth c.1970[/align]
Any more memories?
(N.B. 'Woolworth carriers' were the emergency escort aircraft carriers mass-produced for the RN during the Second World War.)
I served in a couple of ships built at V-T's Woolston yard at Southampton including the world's first plastic warship, HMS Wilton. I also remember seeing corvettes, FPBs and other craft being built at V-T's yards on the Camber in Old Portsmouth and in Portchester. And who can forget all those sleek power boats and coastal forces craft built during the first half of the 20th century? 'Tis a sad day for UK maritime history.
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V-T Yard at the Camber in Old Portsmouth c.1970[/align]
Any more memories?
(N.B. 'Woolworth carriers' were the emergency escort aircraft carriers mass-produced for the RN during the Second World War.)