Jump to content

Any info chaps?


Markheliops

Recommended Posts

Hi all.

 

As some of you know - the lovely Naughty Nurse lives in Leigh on Sea, Essex.

 

(Posh Essex bird)

 

We were having a romantic walk (I know it was romantic as Debbie said it was) along the sea front and came accross this.

 

debs008.jpg

 

debs005.jpg

 

debs003.jpg

 

It is moored (is that the correct term) along the sea front of Old Leigh. I thought it was very interesting and wondered if any of you naval type chaps could identify it or have any knowledge of it.

 

Markheliops

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was a disaster for the yacht club who bought her for their clubhouse/HQ without realising how much work was needed to make her usable by them. All the fittings went and other work was needed and meantime they had to keep their old ship, The Bembridge, which was slowly coming apart. When the Bembridge was dragged off the beach she split in two. The Wilton is a good looking vessel and having her there keeps a tradition alive, which is to be supported.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ex HMS Wilton M1116, prototype coastal minesweeper/minehunter based on the Ton class minesweeper and was the first warship in the world to be constructed from GRP.

She was unofficially known as HMS Tupperware.

Catweazle would be delighted to know that she was powered by 2 Napier Deltic diesel engines.

 

... and a pair of Foden 2-stroke diesels for the slow-speed drive, operating through opposite handed gearboxes to give contra-rotating, steerable, props. One of the Tuns I went on was fitted with a pair of left hand gearboxes, making manoeuvring in confined spaces a very stressful affair for the helmsman! Is it port lever forward and Starboard lever back to drive ahead?.... bu88er!

 

Note the wheelhouse is separate from the bridge and the engine control is by telegraph. It would take a fair sized crew just to fire it up and drive it around.

 

BTW the Deltics were cartridge start, much fun.:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...