Great War truck Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 This is the makers plate from the Bristol based ship builder Charles Hill and Sons for the frigate HMS Burghead Bay. Laid down on 23 September 1944 she was launched 3 March 1945. Decommissioned in 1958 she was sold to Portugal in 1959 and scrapped in 1971. How the makers plate got back to Cornwall is not known. Perhaps it was removed when it was sold to Portugal? Anyway, what makes this interesting to us is that it was recently acquired by Tony. His Father (my grandfather) was employed by Charles Hill and sons building Bay class frigates at that time so would undoubtedly have worked on this ship. A wonderful memento for us to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Great find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean N Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Tim, that's a really nice plate and as you say a wonderful memento, but is 'maker's plate' the right description? Would the maker's plate no have had built by, date, specifications, things like that? What would the purpose of this have been? Is it more a name plate or something commemorative? I know nothing about ships really, so I'd be interested to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rampant rivet Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 The scene depicted on the plate reminds me very much of Burghead and Findhorn bay looking west, I spent many happy holidays there as a youngster and hope to return there again next year the first time in 20 yrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Great War truck Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share Posted October 23, 2014 (edited) Bronze plaques were made and presented to each Naval ship – the idea and design of Mrs. Charles Hill, the wife of the then Chairman. Each plaque bears the name of the vessel and the motto “Shipshape and Bristol Fashion” with the centre depicting the appropriate flower in the case of corvettes and the River Avon for the River class frigates. The plaques for the Loch and Bay classes depict a loch and bay respectively. It seems that two plaques were originally made for each vessel and towards the end of the war when materials allowed a third was made which was presented to the lady who launched the ship. At the SS Great Britain museum (which is next to the site of Charles Hill ship yard) there is I understand a display of Charles Hill builders plaques. I must go there again as I have not been there for years. Edited October 23, 2014 by Great War truck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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