Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
On Display – SMS Lutzow
MSW Crewmember Kostas Katseas brings us yet another wonderful build with the SMS Lutzow in 1/700 scale.
La Spezia: International Cooperation in Shipbuilding
Source: Italian Navy
On February 15 at Fincantieri's Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard, three separate ceremonies sealed the ongoing cooperation with the Navy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The shipbuilding program for the Navy of the United Arab Emirates provides for an at Abu Dhabi-class corvette (the lead ship), and two Falaj2 class patrol ships, plus other vessels on option.
The most significant event was the launch of the first corvette, the Abu Dhabi, which was built at Riva Trigoso (GE) shipyard and transferred to the Muggiano facility for fitting out. This ship is derived from the design of the “Comandanti”-class ships of the Italian navy and is fitted with on-board systems produced by Italian and European industry.
Simultaneously to the launch, the keel of the first “stealth” Falaj2-class patrol boat was laid and first metal was cut for its sister ship. These vessels, derived from the Italian Coast Guard’s “Diciotti”-class, will instead have a hull with stealth characteristics, ensuring a low radar signature.
The ceremony was attended by the Commander in Chief of the Military Maritime Department's Tyrrhenian coast, Admiral Franco Paoli, the Head of the UAE Naval Forces Brigadier General Ibrahim Almusharrakh, representatives of the UAE Navy and representatives of the New Ship Fitting Out and Trials Office (MARINALLES La Spezia).
As for other foreign navies (Iraq, Kenya, India, Finland) which have entering in ship-building programs with Italian shipyards, MARINALLES provides any and all support that will be required over the coming months of preparation and familiarization on the unit by its crew.
Final Homecoming for HMS Manchester
Source: U.K Ministry of Defence
Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer HMS Manchester, a veteran of the first Gulf War, returned to her Portsmouth home for the last time yesterday, 17 February 2011.
The 31-year-old vessel, which has clocked up 858,882 nautical miles (1.6 million kilometres), is being decommissioned as the ageing fleet of Type 42s makes way for the new, highly capable Type 45 destroyers.
Manchester's final entry to Portsmouth comes after her families' day when dozens of relatives of her 260 ship's company enjoyed a day at sea and learned more about the Navy. In keeping with Navy tradition she flew a decommissioning pennant to mark her final return.
Her Commanding Officer, Commander Rex Cox, said:
"As we enter Portsmouth for the final time with our decommissioning pennant flying and families onboard, it is appropriate to reflect on what HMS Manchester has achieved.
"The ship has served the Royal Navy for 30 years and has a fine pedigree that includes seeing active service in the Gulf during Operation Granby; more recently she has been an integral part of counter-narcotics operations and hurricane relief in the Caribbean.
"And although she is decommissioning, it is her people that bring the ship to life and, as the ship's company move on to other units, the spirit of the 'Mighty Manch' will live on."
Built by Vickers Shipbuilding Group at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, the ship was launched on 24 November 1980 and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 16 December 1982.
Her first 'action' was a major NATO exercise off the north west coast of Scotland and soon after she escorted Her Majesty The Queen in the Royal Yacht Britannia on a tour of the Western Isles of Scotland.
In 1991 she played a key role in Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf. Along with other allied ships, Manchester provided an air defence umbrella to cover the land offensive into Kuwait. On cessation of hostilities the ship resumed patrols in the Gulf, supporting mine clearance operations and providing post-war reassurance to merchant shipping.
In 2002 while on patrol in the North Atlantic the ship saved the lives of 11 people after their 148-foot (45-metre) cruiser Shiralee sank in the Caribbean.
Towards the end of 2007 Manchester worked closely with the giant US aircraft carrier Harry S Truman off America's eastern coast. The ships were part of a carrier strike group during the two-week Exercise Bold Step.
In December last year Manchester returned from her last deployment, a seven-month stint in the North Atlantic, and earlier this month the ship sailed to Liverpool so her ship's company could pay a farewell visit to her affiliated city of Manchester.
HMS Manchester will be formally decommissioned in a ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base on 24 February 2011.
Battle of Wilmington
Today’s is the anniversary of the Battle of Wilmington.
USS Iowa (BB 61)
Today’s website is the USS Iowa (BB 61). Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1865 - A Union squadron under the command of Rear Adm. David Dixon Porter bombards and captures Wilmington, N.C.
1870 - After arriving on USS Nipsic, the Darien Expedition, commanded by Cmdr. Thomas O. Selfridge Jr., begins active operations ashore at Caldonia Bay. The exhibition then surveys the Isthmus of Darien, Panama, for an interoceanic ship canal.
1909 - The "Great White Fleet" returns to Hampton Roads, Va., from its historic around-the-world cruise.
1943 - USS Iowa (BB 61), the lead ship of the last class of American fast battleships, is commissioned.
1974 - Lt. j.g. Barbara Ann Allen becomes the first Navy officer designated as a female aviator.
Diorama Idea of the Day
The HMS Ark Royal at sea.
Gator
