Chatham Historic Dockyard, Kent, England, February 2023

Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy dockyard from 1567 until its closure in 1984. It is located on the River Medway in Kent, England. During its 414 years of operation Chatham Dockyard built more than 500 ships for the Royal Navy. The site once covered 400 acres (1.6 sq. km) and employed over 10,000 skilled workers. After its closure as a Royal Navy dockyard, the 18th century core of the site was transferred to a charity, and later opened as a visitor attraction called Chatham Historic Dockyard.

Saturday, 11th February 2023

Tony and Tatiana by a large gun mounted on the deck of HMS Gannet. This powerful gun probably has a 7-inch calibre and would have fired shells up to 5,000 metres (5,500 yards). HMS Gannet was built at Sheerness Royal Dockyard on the River Medway and was launched in August 1878. She was powered by both sails and steam and was 51.8 metres (exactly 170 feet) in length. Ships of this type were designed to patrol the oceans with the purpose of maintaining British naval dominance. She was decommissioned in 1895 and became a training ship. In 1987 she was restored and is now part of the UK's National Historic Fleet.
Tony and Tatiana by a large gun mounted on the deck of HMS Gannet. This powerful gun probably has a 7-inch calibre and would have fired shells up to 5,000 metres (5,500 yards). HMS Gannet was built at Sheerness Royal Dockyard on the River Medway and was launched in August 1878. She was powered by both sails and steam and was 51.8 metres (exactly 170 feet) in length. Ships of this type were designed to patrol the oceans with the purpose of maintaining British naval dominance. She was decommissioned in 1895 and became a training ship. In 1987 she was restored and is now part of the UK’s National Historic Fleet.
Tatiana and Tony on the deck of HMS Gannet close to the helm. The ship's wheel and bell can be seen behind. The words 'Deeds not words' are written on the arched edge of the upper deck above.
Tatiana and Tony on the deck of HMS Gannet close to the helm. The ship’s wheel and bell can be seen behind. The words ‘Deeds not words’ are written on the arched edge of the upper deck above.
Tony and Tatiana by another large gun, this one located below deck in a cabin of HMS Gannet. This is likely a powerful RML 7-inch gun that fired shells weighing in excess of 50 kilograms (110 pounds).
Tony and Tatiana by another large gun, this one located below deck in a cabin of HMS Gannet. This is likely a powerful RML 7-inch gun that fired shells weighing in excess of 50 kilograms (110 pounds).
Tatiana and Tony stood close to HMS Ocelot, an Oberon-class diesel-electric submarine. HMS Ocelot was built at Chatham Dockyard and was launched on 5th May 1962. It remained in service until August 1991, when it was decommissioned and acquired by Chatham Historic Dockyard. These Oberon-class submarines are 90 metres (295.2 feet) in length and 8.1 metres (26.5 feet) in width. They would typically have had a crew of 68 made up of 6 officers and 62 sailors. For defence they could carry up to 24 torpedoes.
Tatiana and Tony stood close to HMS Ocelot, an Oberon-class diesel-electric submarine. HMS Ocelot was built at Chatham Dockyard and was launched on 5th May 1962. It remained in service until August 1991, when it was decommissioned and acquired by Chatham Historic Dockyard. These Oberon-class submarines are 90 metres (295.2 feet) in length and 8.1 metres (26.5 feet) in width. They would typically have had a crew of 68 made up of 6 officers and 62 sailors. For defence they could carry up to 24 torpedoes.
Tony and Tatiana in front of the National Destroyer Memorial at Chatham Historic Dockyard. This three-dimensional bronze memorial depicts a destroyer stopping to aid men in the water during the Second World War. It commemorates the 11,000 lives and 142 Royal Navy destroyers lost during the Second World War. Small wooden crosses with red poppies have been left in sand at the base.
Tony and Tatiana in front of the National Destroyer Memorial at Chatham Historic Dockyard. This three-dimensional bronze memorial depicts a destroyer stopping to aid men in the water during the Second World War. It commemorates the 11,000 lives and 142 Royal Navy destroyers lost during the Second World War. Small wooden crosses with red poppies have been left in sand at the base.
Another view of the National Destroyer Memorial showing men being rescued from the sea by a destroyer. Men can be seen clambering up nets out of the sea with help from sailors onboard. More men are in a small lifeboat which is attempting to come alongside the destroyer in rough seas. The memorial was sculpted by Kenneth Potts and was unveiled in 2007.
Another view of the National Destroyer Memorial showing men being rescued from the sea by a destroyer. Men can be seen clambering up nets out of the sea with help from sailors onboard. More men are in a small lifeboat which is attempting to come alongside the destroyer in rough seas. The memorial was sculpted by Kenneth Potts and was unveiled in 2007.
Tatiana and Tony now at the opposite side of the National Destroyer Memorial at Chatham Historic Dockyard. It lists the 142 Royal Navy destroyers that were lost during the Second World War.
Tatiana and Tony now at the opposite side of the National Destroyer Memorial at Chatham Historic Dockyard. It lists the 142 Royal Navy destroyers that were lost during the Second World War.
Tony and Tatiana alongside a gangway leading on to HMS Cavalier. HMS Cavalier is a C-class destroyer launched in 1944 and decommissioned in 1972. She saw service off Norway during World War II and later in the Far East. Today she forms part of the National Destroyer Memorial at Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Tony and Tatiana alongside a gangway leading on to HMS Cavalier. HMS Cavalier is a C-class destroyer launched in 1944 and decommissioned in 1972. She saw service off Norway during World War II and later in the Far East. Today she forms part of the National Destroyer Memorial at Chatham Historic Dockyard.
Tatiana and Tony with the bow of HMS Cavalier in view behind them. HMS Cavalier is 111 metres (363 feet) in length and 10.9 metres (35.75 ft) in width.
Tatiana and Tony with the bow of HMS Cavalier in view behind them. HMS Cavalier is 111 metres (363 feet) in length and 10.9 metres (35.75 ft) in width.
Three memorial plaques mounted close to HMS Cavalier at Chatham Historic Dockyard. The middle one reads: "This stone marks the site of The Old Single Dock. Constructed in 1623 and replaced in 1858 by the present No.2 Dock."
Three memorial plaques mounted close to HMS Cavalier at Chatham Historic Dockyard. The middle one reads: “This stone marks the site of The Old Single Dock. Constructed in 1623 and replaced in 1858 by the present No.2 Dock.”
Tony and Tatiana stood in front of a Westland Dragonfly Helicopter. 149 of these helicopters were produced between 1949 and 1954. They were used by the Royal Navy for air-sea rescue and communications roles.
Tony and Tatiana stood in front of a Westland Dragonfly Helicopter. 149 of these helicopters were produced between 1949 and 1954. They were used by the Royal Navy for air-sea rescue and communications roles.
Tony and Tatiana stood at the end of an alley with historic dockyard buildings at either side. These buildings include Chatham Historic Dockyard's Grade I listed Ropery.
Tony and Tatiana stood at the end of an alley with historic dockyard buildings at either side. These buildings include Chatham Historic Dockyard’s Grade I listed Ropery.
Tony holding a large wooden handle attached to a lever which was used as part of the process of spinning rope. This is part of the Ropery at Chatham Historic Dockyard. Rope has been made at Chatham since 1618 with the current buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Tony holding a large wooden handle attached to a lever which was used as part of the process of spinning rope. This is part of the Ropery at Chatham Historic Dockyard. Rope has been made at Chatham since 1618 with the current buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries.
View across the Ropery. Several ropes of different thicknesses can be seen stretched out in front.
View across the Ropery. Several ropes of different thicknesses can be seen stretched out in front.
Looking along part of the historic Ropery. The building is very long at 335 metres (1,100 feet) in length allowing long continuous lengths of rope to be easily manufactured.
Looking along part of the historic Ropery. The building is very long at 335 metres (1,100 feet) in length allowing long continuous lengths of rope to be easily manufactured.
Tony and Tatiana in the Ropery. Lengths of rope being manufactured can be seen behind. Rope was an essential commodity with a single large sailing ship requiring around 31 miles of it.
Tony and Tatiana in the Ropery. Lengths of rope being manufactured can be seen behind. Rope was an essential commodity with a single large sailing ship requiring around 31 miles (50 km) of it.