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Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Yahoo
Exploring the Peruvian tall ship on the Thames
It seems every time an interesting ship or boat arrives in the capital, I am dispatched to investigate. In recent months, I have boarded the Nao Santa Maria - a faithful replica of the vessel Christopher Columbus sailed upon when he first explored the Americas. I filmed the Royal Navy warship, HMS Sutherland as it powered under Tower Bridge. Around the 80th anniversary of VE Day, I got to know HMS Belfast very well. And at the more modest end of the scale, there was a very wet paddle along the Limehouse Cut Canal with the jovial attendees of an all-women boat club. This time, I explored the BAP Unión from Perú, moored for a week at West India Dock on the Isle of Dogs. The charismatic captain, Juan Jose Roncagliolo Gomez suggests a pidgin language for us to communicate in: "Spanglish?" I agree. Time to see if my 600-day streak on a popular language-learning app translates to the real world. Capt Gomez explained the BAP Unión, built in a Peruvian shipyard between 2012 and 2015, is the largest of its kind in Latin America. This, however, does not give the ship enough respect, he feels. "It is the biggest, the prettiest and the most modern." The BAP Unión has two roles. It is a training ship for the Peruvian Navy, 227 of whom are on board when I visit. Many are high in the rigging, folding away the sails. The other purpose of this vessel, is to act as an ambassador for its home country. Capt Gomez said he wanted to know about our culture and our "impressive history". He said he is especially pleased his midshipmen, who are also his friends have the opportunity to "increase their cultural diversity in this beautiful city". Cadets spend six months working on board. Midshipman Juan Baca, 21, said crossing the Atlantic had been "challenging", but after three days, he was used to the motion. "It is very fun - you get to see a lot of sea animals - got a chance to see whales, dolphins. "And I mean, so far so good - I'm having the time of my life here." He hopes to visit, the Tower of London and Houses of Parliament. His crewmate, Matías Reyes, also 21, adds Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to their tourist wish list - and some football stadiums. He said he missed his mother and brothers but his colleagues have become "like family". "I see them all day - for the breakfast, for the lunch, for the dinner. "We make exercise together. We do everything together. I feel them like my brothers." A tour of the ship revealed corridor walls covered with plaques received as gifts, framed maps of round-the-world navigations and the many global ports the BAP Unión has visited since first setting sail in 2016. The midshipman mess room doubles as a classroom during the day and there are VIP state rooms for special guests - including an elegant salon to host diplomatic bigwigs. I am less keen on the dentist's cabin, imagining tooth-pulling on a choppy sea. And the doctor's cabin can be adapted into an operating theatre. The Peruvian coat of arms glows in a stained glass window, other circular panels covering portholes trace the naval history of the country. Central in the room, is a bust of Miguel Grau, the Peruvian naval hero, known as the Gentleman of the Sea. Capt Gomez said that he flauts one of the oldest traditions - that a commander should eat alone as they make better decisions in combat. He quipped: "Nowadays I die if I'm alone here". By now, the BBC London camera operator, Cristian, is buckling after the continuous 27-minute shot filmed on a gimbal, so I suggest we call it a wrap. We were brought dainty glasses of Pisco. The third sip of the strong grape brandy made me cough, which the naval officers found hilarious. We were then accompanied, as if old friends, back to dry land. Here in the capital, she's drawn crowds, which helps the tourist industry - according to a Port of London report, the River Thames generates more than £2bn for the economy in tourism and leisure activities. Has this latest embarkment improved my nautical knowledge or raised my comfort levels? Well, not really. I am perpetually confused as to whether the stern is the back or the front. And frankly, should my editor suggest a report from a moving ship, there would be mutiny. But with so many visiting vessels on the River Thames, perhaps one day I will overcome my wobbly sea legs to earn my stripes. The BAP Unión continues her tour of the UK, next berthing in Aberdeen.
The Herald Scotland
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Watch as half a 6,900-tonne ship is inched to vast new hall
The aft block, or rear, of HMS Belfast, the third Type 26 City Class being built in Glasgow, has been painstakingly moved into the Janet Harvey Hall at BAE Systems' shipyard in Govan. Inside the huge hall. (Image: BAE Systems) Designed for a service life of at least 25 years, the Type 26 frigates will serve in the Royal Navy surface fleet into the 2060s BAE Systems said: "Belfast and future ships will now be consolidated under cover for the first time ensuring that work is unaffected by adverse weather." It added: "The bow of HMS Belfast will be moved into the Janet Harvey Hall in the coming weeks, the ship will then undergo further structural and outfitting work before being floated off and moved along the Clyde to BAE Systems' Scotstoun facility for testing and trials prior to delivery to the Royal Navy." The cutting-edge new ship build hall is named in honour of one of the many women who stepped into vital industrial roles during the Second World War. The scale of the hall is seen as it engulfs the warship. (Image: BAE Systems) The hall has capacity for two Type 26 frigates to be constructed side-by-side, the hall measures 170 metres long and 80 metres wide, with two 100-tonne cranes and a further two 20-tonne cranes inside. READ MORE: He added: "The hall, which will help improve schedule performance and reduce the time between ship deliveries, forms a central part of the £300 million modernisation and digitalisation of BAE Systems' facilities in Glasgow."
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Shipbuilding hall named after 'pioneering' female electrician opens
A giant new shipbuilding hall named after a pioneering female electrician has officially opened on the River Clyde in Glasgow. The Janet Harvey Hall in Govan is big enough for two Type 26 anti-submarine warships to be built side-by-side. Ms Harvey, who worked in the Clyde shipyards from the age of 18, was one of a handful of women alongside a 100,000-strong male workforce in World War Two. The new facility is part of a £300m modernisation at BAE Systems in Glasgow. More stories from Glasgow & West Scotland More stories from Scotland The defence manufacturer is building eight Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy. The first vessel HMS Glasgow entered the water in December 2022. HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham are currently being built in the new hall. It measures 170m (558ft) long and 80m (262ft) wide, with two 100-tonne cranes and two more 20-tonne cranes inside. It will allow warships to be built fully undercover in Glasgow for the first time and reduce the time between ship deliveries. Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems' naval ships business, said: "The Janet Harvey Hall marks a major step forward for shipbuilding in Glasgow and will help enable efficient and safe shipbuilding for decades to come. "It's a symbol of pride, not just for our skilled workforce who bring these ships to life, but for the entire city." Janet Harvey's nieces joined Glasgow's Lord Provost to cut the ribbon on the facility. Ms Harvey died on Armistice Day in 2023 at the age of 101. She was recognised for her "significant contribution" to the UK's war efforts when she was awarded an Honorary Degree for engineering by Glasgow Caledonian University at the age of 96. The female shipbuilder cast aside after the war Shipbuilding hall named after 'pioneering' female engineer
Glasgow Times
25-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow's new ship hall named honour of pioneering woman
BAE Systems Naval Ships officially opened the Janet Harvey Ship Hall at Govan, in honour of an 18 year-old electrician who served in the yard during World War II. Two of Ms Harvey's nieces, June Cofflet and Lynne Vernall, were the guests of honour, cutting the ribbon with Lord Provost Jaqueline McLaren. The 13,000 sq metre hall has two 100-tonne cranes and two 20-tonne cranes inside. HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham are being built in the hall. Jen Blee, BAE systems manufacturing and facilities director, said the story of Janet Harvey connects the past with the future. (Image: PA) She said: Janet Harvey on her 18th birthday, had three choices. Join the army, become a welder of an electrician.' She chose the latter and Ms Blee added: 'She was made redundant when the men returned from the war. 'So often facilities are named after prominent men but achievements of women are forgotten.' As well as honouring the contribution of Janet Harvey and the many other women who stepped in during wartime to keep production going BAE said the new hall is a commitment to the future and future workforce. Ms Blee added: 'This hall also acts as a beacon for a new generation of shipbuilders who join our great endeavour.' June Cofflet, said: 'Janet would have been absolutely delighted to have the ship build hall named after her. 'She was so very proud of the work she did during the war. 'She had great memories of her time working on the Clyde and felt that the work she did made a difference. 'As a family, we are delighted that BAE Systems has chosen our aunt's name to go on the ship build hall, it is a real honour.' Workers at the yard joined the family and other VIPs for the opening ceremony. (Image: newsquest) Ritchie Linford, general manager of the Janey Harvey ship hall, said: 'This is a place where ships, for generations, will be built. Already, 100 staff are working in the hall of the two frigates and eventually, said Mr Linford, there will be around 1000 working on three ships at a time. Building them under one roof, he said, will be 'more efficient'. He added: 'The building will set a new standard just as the ships will.' (Image: newsquest) Kenny Smith GMB union convenor, said: 'It is right we tip our hats to the past and in naming the hall after Janet Harvey, we do that. 'Her name will be remembered with every ship that passes through here. 'And it's about the future. It's great to see the resurgence of this yard. This hall will be a huge part of the future generations to come.' Janet Harvey, after being awarded an honorary doctorate by Glasgow Caledonian University aged 96, died in 2023 aged 101, on November 11, Armistice Day.
Scottish Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Cash-strapped Government trying to flog half-built warships amid claims it can't afford to finish them
Selling them 'would give Defence Secretary John Healey and the Treasury breathing space to find the time to pay for them' SHIP SHOW Cash-strapped Government trying to flog half-built warships amid claims it can't afford to finish them Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Government is trying to flog half-built warships amid claims it can-not afford to finish them. Military top brass invited Norway to buy £1billion frigates HMS Belfast and Birmingham, which are midway through construction. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Selling half-built warships would give Defence Secretary John Healey and the Treasury breathing space to find the time to pay for them, a source said Credit: Alamy Selling them would give Defence Secretary John Healey and the Treasury breathing space to find the time to pay for them, a source said. But they added that the Navy would have to wait years to get its promised eight vessels if Norway jumped the queue. They said: "The Royal Navy only has eight frigates, the smallest number in its history. 'It desperately needs these new Type 26 frigates as soon as possible. 'But the MoD budget is under so much pressure that selling the half-built hulls to Norway would give the Treasury breathing space to find the time to pay for them.' It comes after the Strategic Defence Review warned the Navy needed a 'cheaper, simpler fleet'. The MoD said Norway was 'one of the UK's most important allies'. A Norwegian source said: 'The government of Norway is in the final phases of making a decision, but no date has been set.' Proud Scots workers watch latest Royal Navy frigate roll out at Babcock Rosyth shipyard
