1.
Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company
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Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Limited, often referred to simply as Scotts, was a Scottish shipbuilding company based in Greenock on the River Clyde. In its time in Greenock, Scotts built over 1,250 ships, John Scott founded the company, beginning shipbuilding at Greenock in 1711. The Scott family took over the Greenock Foundry in 1790 and C G Scott started building at Cartsdyke Dockyard in 1850 as Scott & Company. John Scott and Robert Scott bought the adjacent yard of R Steele & Company in 1883 to create the Cartsburn Dockyard, by 1900 John Swire & Company were major shareholders and Henry Scott was a director of Swire Scotts. In 1900–1901 he specified and oversaw construction of Swires Taikoo Dockyard in Hong Kong, Swires was 25% owned by the Scott Family. In 1925 Scotts took over Ross & Marshalls Cartsdyke Mid Yard, in 1934 they exchanged their Cartsdyke East yard for Cartsdyke Mid yard with Greenock Dockyard Ltd. In June 1965 the Company took over Scotts & Sons Ltd and in December 1965 Scotts merged with the Greenock Dockyard Company and the Cartsburn and Cartsdyke Dockyards were fully integrated in 1966. In 1967 the Company merged with Lithgows to form Scott Lithgow Ltd, Cartsdyke Shipyard was closed in 1979 and Cartsburn in 1984. In 1983 the Scott Lithgow company and yards were sold to Trafalgar House, No further shipbuilding was undertaken and the 270-year-old Scott shipbuilding company finally ceased trading in 1993. Between 1988 and 1997 the Cartsburn and Cartsdyke shipyards were gradually demolished and redeveloped as offices, computer warehouses. Principal customers of Scotts were Alfred Holt & Co, The China Navigation Company / John Swire Ltd, Scotts Assistant Manager James Richardson devised an early Snorkel for submarines, for which they were granted British Patent No.106330 of 1917. It was not taken up by the Admiralty for use by the Royal Navy, there is extant the builders certificate of SS Thetis. Captain William Kennedy of Greenock took Thetis for her trials on the Clyde, pictures of some Scotts-built vessels were painted by the Greenock marine artist William Clark. A painting of the launch in 1818 from Scotts yard of the wood ship Christian was painted by the Anglo-US marine artist Robert Salmon. Before the Cartsdyke yard closed in the late 1970s it was used to part of a BBC Television Play for Today called Just a Boys Game. In 2011, Greenocks McLean Museum and Art Gallery celebrated the tercentenary of Scotts foundation, RMS Ajax RMS Andania Johnston, Ian, Buxton, Ian. The Battleship Builders - Constructing and Arming British Capital Ships, Clyde built ships data base - lists all ships built on the Clyde WikiSwire website
2.
Oberon-class submarine
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The Oberon class was a ship class of 27 British-designed submarines operated by five different nations. They were designed as a direct follow-on from the Porpoise-class, physical dimensions were the same, but stronger materials were used in hull construction, the submarines were built between 1957 and 1978 by four shipyards, Cammel Laird, Chatham Dockyard, Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company and Vickers-Armstrongs. Submarines of the class were in service until 2000, as of 2015, eight of the submarines are preserved intact as museum vessels, another three are partially preserved, and one is in private ownership and awaiting conversion for display. The rest have been sold for scrap, including one former museum vessel, the 295. 2-foot -long Oberon class was based heavily on the preceding Porpoise class of submarines, which were in service from 1956 to 1988. Changes from the Porpoise design were primarily to improve the strength and stealth of the submarine, instead of UXW steel, the hull was built from QT28 steel, which was easier to fabricate and stronger, allowing the submarine to dive deeper. Glass-reinforced plastic was used in construction of the casing, electronics, sonar, and radar systems were also upgraded to the latest standard. The submarines were equipped with a type 1002 surface search and navigation radar, a type 187 active-passive attack sonar, construction of the British submarines was shared amongst four dockyards, the three mentioned above and Cammell Laird. The Oberons were originally armed with eight 21-inch torpedo tubes, six tubes in the bow, Naval mines could be carried instead of torpedoes, the torpedo payload would be replaced with up to 50 Mark 5 Stonefish or Mark 6 Sea Urchin mines. The forward torpedo tubes are constructed in two sections bolted together across the bulkhead at the end of the torpedo compartment. The 116-in long inner section is constructed of 0. 5-in rolled steel fitted with welded flanges, the outer section is constructed of a similar tube 175 in long but with a reinforced 1.125 inch thick section behind the main bulkhead. The outer end of the tube is sealed with a domed bow cap, bow shutters close across the bow caps so as to preserve the streamlined shape of the bow when the cap is closed. The bow caps and shutters are mechanically linked to a hydraulically operated drive rod from within the torpedo compartment, the bow cap opens first behind the shutter, which then folds back against it forming a smooth exit tube. The tube internal diameter is 22.5 in, wider than the torpedo, torpedoes could be fired either electrically or with compressed air. The aft torpedo tubes passed through the ballast tank at the rear of the submarine, a 31-in section projected into the boat through the bulkhead, forming overall a relatively short tube of 12 ft, but of 25 in diameter. The class used diesel-electric propulsion, with batteries to provide power when the engines cannot be used. Each vessel has two Admiralty-pattern V-16 diesel engines, each driving one 1280-kW 880-V generator and these can provide power directly to the two 3000-BHP electric motors, one directly connected to each propellor, or for charging batteries. One snorkel brings in new air to the boat, while the other takes exhaust fumes from the engines, the ventilation system is designed so the fresh air spreads through the boat. The generators are cooled by a fan on the shaft which circulates air through a filter
3.
Passive Underwater Fire Control Feasibility System
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Passive Underwater Fire Control Feasibility System was a passive sonar system for submarines. It was designated AN/BQG-4 and was equipped on United States Navy conventional submarines converted to GUPPY III or otherwise modernized in the 1960s. It was also equipped on the nuclear-powered USS Tullibee, a version known as Micropuffs was fitted on Oberon-class submarines for the Royal Australian Navy, and as Type 2041 on the Upholder-class for the British Royal Navy. This class still serves in the Royal Canadian Navy, where Micropuffs is known as BQG-501, the system was notable for three tall, fin-like domes topside, except on Micropuffs installations. The system was retained on several submarines transferred to foreign navies and it was associated with long-range passive detection of targets for the Mark 45 nuclear torpedo and other torpedoes as well. Most submarines backfitted with it were also lengthened 12-16 feet to accommodate additional electronics and it was also planned for Thresher and Sturgeon-class nuclear submarines, but was not fitted on them except Micropuffs experimentally on Barb and Haddock. With the exception of the four Canadian Victoria-class submarines, all PUFFS-equipped submarines have been disposed of or preserved as museum ships, greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program Alden, John D. Commander. The Fleet Submarine in the U. S. Navy, A Design, Sub vs Sub, Cdr R Compton Hall, Orion Books,1989
4.
Mark 48 torpedo
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The Mark 48 and its improved Advanced Capability variant are American heavyweight submarine-launched torpedoes. They were designed to sink deep-diving nuclear-powered submarines and high-performance surface ships, the Mk-48 torpedo was designed at the end of the 1960s to keep up with the advances in Soviet submarine technology. Operational since 1972, it replaced the Mk-37 and Mk-14 torpedoes as the weapon of U. S. Navy submarines. With the entry service of the new Soviet Alfa class submarine in 1972, the decision was made to accelerate the ADCAP program. Tests were run to ensure that the weapon could keep up with the developments, the new version of the weapon, also known as Mk-48 Mod 4, was extensively tested and production started in 1985, with entry into service in 1988. From then on, various upgrades have been added to the torpedo, as of 2012 Mk-48 Mod 6 was in service, a Mod 7 version was test fired in 2008 in the Rim of Pacific Naval exercises. The inventory of the U. S. Navy is 1,046 Mk-48 torpedoes, the Mk-48 torpedo is designed to be launched from submarine torpedo tubes. The weapon is carried by all U. S. Navy submarines, including Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines and Seawolf-, Los Angeles- and it is also used on Canadian, Australian, and Dutch submarines. The Royal Navy elected not to buy the Mark 48, preferring to use the Spearfish instead, Mk-48 and Mk-48 ADCAP torpedoes can be guided from a submarine by wires attached to the torpedo. They can also use their own active or passive sensors to execute programmed target search, acquisition, the torpedo is designed to detonate under the keel of a surface ship, breaking the keel and destroying its structural integrity. In the event of a miss, it can back for another attempt. The swashplate piston engine is fueled by Otto fuel II, a monopropellant that decomposes into hot gas when ignited, the thrust is generated by a propulsor assembly. The torpedos seeker has an electronically steered pinger that helps avoid having to maneuver as it closes with the target. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the sensors can monitor surrounding electrical. This may refer to the coils on the warhead, used to sense the metallic mass of the ships hull. The torpedo has been the subject of continued improvement over its service lifetime, in the 1990s, a Mod 6 variant of the ADCAP provided much improved noise isolation for the engine, which makes this torpedo more difficult to detect for a potential target. The Mk48 Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System torpedo is optimized for both the deep and littoral waters and has advanced counter-countermeasure capabilities, the MK48 ADCAP Mod 7 torpedo is the result of a Joint Development Program with the Royal Australian Navy and reached Initial Operational Capability in 2006. On July 25,2008 a MK48 Mod 7 CBASS torpedo fired by an Australian Collins-class submarine, HMAS Waller, successfully sank a test target during the Rim of the Pacific 2008 exercises
5.
Harpoon (missile)
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The Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, developed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. In 2004, Boeing delivered the 7, 000th Harpoon unit since the introduction in 1977. The missile system has also further developed into a land-strike weapon. The regular Harpoon uses active homing, and a low-level. The missiles launch platforms include, Fixed-wing aircraft Surface ships Submarines, Coastal defense batteries, in 1965 the United States Navy began studies for a missile in the 45 kilometres range class for use against surfaced submarines. The name Harpoon was assigned to the project, Harpoon was primarily developed for use on US Navy warships such as the Ticonderoga-class cruiser as their principal anti-ship weapon system. The Harpoon was purchased by many American allies, including Pakistan, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and most NATO countries. The Royal Australian Air Force is capable of firing AGM-84 series missiles from its F/A-18F Super Hornets, F/A-18A/B Hornets, and AP-3C Orion aircraft, the Royal Australian Navy deploys the Harpoon on major surface combatants and in the Collins-class submarines. The Spanish Air Force and the Chilean Navy are also AGM-84D customers, and they deploy the missiles on ships, and F/A-18s, F-16s. The British Royal Navy deploys the Harpoon on several types of surface ship, the Royal Canadian Navy carries Harpoon missiles on its Halifax-class frigates. The Republic of Singapore Air Force also operates five modified Fokker 50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft which are fitted with the sensors needed to fire the Harpoon missile, the Pakistani Navy carries the Harpoon missile on its frigates and P-3C Orions. The Turkish Navy carries Harpoons on surface warships and Type 209 submarines, the Turkish Air Force will be armed with the SLAM-ER. S. Navy Knox-class frigates and the four former USN Kidd-class destroyers which have sold to Taiwan. The two Zwaardvis/Hai Lung submarines and 12 P-3C Orion aircraft can use the missile. The Block 1 missiles were designated AGM/RGM/UGM-84A in US service and UGM-84B in the UK, Block 1B standard missiles were designated AGM/RGM/UGM-84C, Block 1C missiles were designated AGM/RGM/UGM-84D. This version featured a fuel tank and re-attack capability, but was not produced in large numbers because its intended mission was considered to be unlikely following the events of 1991–92. Block 1D missiles were designated RGM/AGM-84F, Block 1G missiles AGM/RGM/UGM-84G, the original SLAM-ER missiles were designated AGM-84H and later ones the AGM-84K. Block 1J was a proposal for an upgrade, AGM/RGM/UGM-84J Harpoon
6.
Royal Australian Navy
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The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the colonial navies were integrated into a national force. Originally intended for defence, the navy was granted the title of Royal Australian Navy in 1911. Britains Royal Navy continued to support the RAN and provided additional blue-water defence capability in the Pacific up to the years of World War II. Then, rapid expansion saw the acquisition of large surface vessels. In the decade following the war, the RAN acquired a number of aircraft carriers. Today, the RAN consists of 47 commissioned vessels,3 non-commissioned vessels, the current Chief of Navy is Vice Admiral Tim Barrett. The Commonwealth Naval Forces were established on 1 March 1901, two months after the federation of Australia, when the forces of the separate Australian colonies were amalgamated. As a result, the force structure was set at one battlecruiser. On 10 July 1911, King George V granted the service the title of Royal Australian Navy. The first of the RANs new vessels, the destroyer Yarra, was completed in September 1910, in this time the focus of Australias naval policy shifted from defence against invasion to trade protection, and several fleet units were sunk as targets or scrapped. By 1923, the size of the navy had fallen to eight vessels, following the outbreak of the Pacific War and the virtual destruction of British naval forces in south-east Asia, the RAN operated more independently, or as part of United States Navy formations. As the navy took on a greater role, it was expanded significantly and at its height the RAN was the fourth-largest navy in the world. A total of 34 vessels were lost during the war, including three cruisers and four destroyers, after the Second World War, the size of the RAN was again reduced, but it gained new capabilities with the acquisition of two aircraft carriers, Sydney and Melbourne. The RAN saw action in many Cold War–era conflicts in the Asia-Pacific region and operated alongside the Royal Navy and United States Navy off Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Since the end of the Cold War, the RAN has been part of Coalition forces in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, operating in support of Operation Slipper and it was also deployed in support of Australian peacekeeping operations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands. The strategic command structure of the RAN was overhauled during the New Generation Navy changes, the RAN is commanded through Naval Headquarters in Canberra. The professional head is the Chief of Navy, who holds the rank of Vice Admiral, NHQ is responsible for implementing policy decisions handed down from the Department of Defence and for overseeing tactical and operational issues that are the purview of the subordinate commands
7.
Target ship
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A target ship is a vessel — typically an obsolete or captured warship — used as a seaborne target for naval gunnery practice or for weapons testing. The potential consequences of a drifting wreck require careful preparation of the ship to prevent pollution. Sinking redundant warships is a way of testing new weapons. Whilst practice torpedoes are fired fairly frequently, they behave differently from warshots, in order to meet environmental, health, and safety standards, ships now have to be thoroughly cleaned so that all dangerous material and potential contaminants are removed. In the event of the becoming an artificial reef, escape exits also have to be created in the vessel. It is now common practice to remove pennant numbers and sink the warships anonymously. A commission studied the matter, and decided to build two Paixhans howitzers for trial purposes in 1822, in 1824, the 80-gun ship of the line Pacificateur, made redundant by the Bourbon Restoration, was condemned. She was a Bucentaure-class two-decker of the type as the French flagship of the Battle of Trafalgar. The two prototypes were fired at her with devastating effect and this led to the adoption of the Paixhans gun in 1827. They were used to great effect at the Battle of San Juan de Ulua, to the interest of British and US observers, who announced the demise of wooden warships and the era of the ironclad. Baden In 1921 former German battleship SMS Baden was used by the Royal Navy to test new types of shells, the tests indicated that medium-strength armour could not stop the latest armour-piercing shells, causing the British switch to an all or nothing armour scheme for their new battleships. She was replaced in the role by the battleship Centurion in 1926, Iowa After World War I ended, the US Navy and Army did live fire testing of attacking warships from the air. To get the testing as close to wartime conditions as possible, USS Iowa was converted into a target ship. A well known engineer, John Hays Hammond, Jr. developed the radio control gear for Iowa. In 1923, Iowa was sunk off the Pacific coast of Panama during fleet exercises, with members of the United States Congress and the press attending, by the battleship Mississippi. The evaluation proved so successful that the US Navy moved up their plans for radio controlled warships and in 1932 the obsolete battleship USS Utah, James Longstreet A familiar sight for more than fifty years in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts was SS James Longstreet. This World War II Liberty ship was towed to a sandbar 3.5 miles off shore in 1944 and was used for bombing practice through the Vietnam War, Operation Crossroads Operation Crossroads was a 1946 series of US nuclear tests at Bikini Atoll that used 95 target ships. Torrens The Royal Australian Navy sank HMAS Torrens on June 14,1999 with a Mk48 wire guided torpedo fired from the Collins-class submarine HMAS Farncomb, Torrens was the last of six Australian River-class destroyers, the others having been disposed of previously
8.
HMAS Colac
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Construction of the prototype HMAS Kangaroo did not go ahead, but the plans were retained. Colac was laid down by Morts Dock and Engineering Company at Balmain and she was launched on 30 August 1941 by Miss M. Heady, senior lady on the staff of Morts Dock and Engineering, and commissioned into the RAN on 6 January 1942. The ship was originally to be named HMAS Hamilton, after entering service, Colac was assigned as an anti-submarine patrol and convoy escort vessel, operating between Townsville and New Guinea. The first attempt, early on 14 December, saw 46 soldiers landed at Cape Sudest before the three corvettes were attacked by Japanese aircraft and forced to withdraw and that night, under the cover of darkness, the remaining troops were landed nearby. Throughout December, Colac was involved in three similar troop deployments, and later took part in Operation Lilliput, the reinforcement and supply of the captured area, in March 1943, Colac and Ballarat were reassigned to convoy escort duty along the east coast of Australia. On 26 April, a convoy escorted by the two corvettes was attacked by Japanese submarine I-177 off Cape Byron. The MV Limerick was torpedoed and sunk, with all but two of the rescued by Colac. In July, Colac was instructed to begin escorting convoys between Australia and New Guinea, before returning to east coast convoys at the start of 1944, in mid-May, Colac was assigned to harass Japanese bases in the Solomon Islands area. On 26 May, the ship suffered her first casualties of the war, the corvette jettisoned stores, her depth charge payload, and replaceable pieces of equipment to avoid sinking and escape, and later limped to the Treasury Islands under tow for repairs. Temporary repairs were made to allow Colac to sail to New Guinea and then to Sydney, Colac was still under repair when World War II ended, and she was paid off into reserve on 27 November 1945. The corvette was awarded two battle honours for her service, Pacific 1942–45 and New Guinea 1942–44. On 20 February 1951, Colac was recommissioned for use as a ship for National Service trainees. Colac was returned to reserve on 30 January 1953, in 1962, the ship was converted into a tank cleaning vessel, and served in this role until 30 September 1983. Colac was not recommissioned during this time, on 4 March 1987, Colac was sunk by a Mark 48 torpedo fired by the submarine HMAS Ovens in a weapons test. The corvette sank at 34°49. 2′S 151°32′E, from Empire Defence to the Long Haul, post-war defence policy and its impact on naval force structure planning 1945–1955. A Critical Vulnerability, the impact of the threat on Australias maritime defense 1915–1954. Stevens, David, Sears, Jason, Goldrick, James, Cooper, Alastair, Jones, Peter, Spurling, the Australian Centenary History of Defence. South Melbourne, VIC, Oxford University Press, cS1 maint, Multiple names, authors list Journal and news articles Stevens, David
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