Happy New Year

All the best for 2012.

AP

DRAGON (D35) - A goodbye!

The 27th of August saw DRAGON (D35) depart the BAE Scotstoun yard for the last time. She was to head to Portsmouth where she became HMS DRAGON. Another proud moment for all the workers involved in her construction, well done to you all.

The latest Clydebuilt ship heading past Scotstoun pier as she heads up to cant at the mouth of KGV dock.

Canting in Glasgow for the final time. Clyde Marine's BATTLER and BRUISER were on hand to assist.

Clyde marine's BITER was heading up to assist the WAVERLEY off Plantation quay.

Swung and heading for Portsmouth.

Seen here as she was about to pass her home of the last few years. I filmed the following minutes in hope she would sound a final salute to the yard, she did and the resulting video can be Viewed Here.

SEAPOWET

SEAPOWET - 41,189 grt

Arriving in for Shieldhall Riverside on the 21st of August. She was in with a part load of animal feed, more of her details can be Read Here.

Nee-Naw, annat!

The trio of Svitzer tugs assisting were AYTON CROSS on the bow, ANGLEGARTH on the stern and SVITZER MILFORD waiting to assist midship.

After her cant she went onto the Riverside berths at Shieldhall.

NORDERAU

NORDERAU - 2,461 grt

Seen alongside Shieldhall Riverside on the 18th of August. She was in with some sort of dry bulk, more of her details can be Read Here.

A view

A look across some Partick rooftops.

The new Riverside Museum in the centre of the shot and the Glasgow Tower and Science Centre over at Plantation quay.

The paddle steamer WAVERLEY was not at her Pantation quay berth, sadly for me. The BBC Scotland headquarters can be seen to the left. This part of the Clyde was once packed with visiting cargo ships of yesteryear. For a look at a classic photograph of this part of Glasgow, Click Here.

Carrier block LB03 - outbound

The 16th of August saw the departure of the semi submersible barge AMT TRADER and her cargo. Firmly secured to the deck of the barge was the first Govan built section for the new Royal Navy aircraft carriers, HMS QUEEN ELIABETH and HMS PRINCE OF WALES. The BAE Govan yard will build two mega blocks for each carrier. This was the first of those four blocks to depart the Clyde, known as Lower Block 03 (LB03). The next block that will depart Govan will be LB04 and will be almost 50% heavier than LB03, that move will happen in mid 2012. Both carriers are being assembled at the Roysth Dockyard on the Forth. More details on the Aircraft Carrier Alliance can be Read Here.

Svitzer's ANGLEGARTH and SVITZER MILFORD were on the bow of the barge. Clyde Marine's BATTLER was travelling ahead of the pack in order to clear anything floating in the river that could foul the exposed propellors on both Svitzer tugs. The Type 45 is DRAGON (D35), I've read that this mega block weighs more than that fully displaced Type 45.

The barge had a police escort all the way downriver.

A product of the BAE Systems Govan yard passing the BAE Systems Scotstoun yard. Both yards are home of the Type45 Destroyer build program.

A mighty fine sight in 2011.

To give you a sense of scale.

Passing under the Glasgow Airport (GLA) flightpath.

Away they go for the sail round the north of Scotland and down to Rosyth.

AxP.

A Birthday wish

Good luck with everything.

From Langbank looking across the Clyde towards Dumbarton Rock in the foreground and the beautiful Ben Lomond, with her first dusting, in the background. Photo taken mid October.