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[garston1]

I took some photo's of Prince Charles old ship BRONNINGTON today at a cut in Birkenhead docks. It looks like she might be coming to the end of her life

[Martin (Admin)]

What type of ship was/is she/
 What where duties, role did she play?

[sailorboy61]

Ah, seen here a few times while working over at T&L, hadn't realised it was the Bronnington.
Certainly looking past her best!!

[garston1]

Hiya Martin, she is a Ton Class Minesweeper, launched in 1953

[chingdevil]

Was she not a minesweeper in her former life, did she not have a wooden hull??


Brian

[garston1]

Yes Brian, her hull is Mahogany!

[chingdevil]

Thought so, she was fitted with twin Paxman Deltic diesel engines.

Brian

[Jimmy James]

Yes The Blo---y Paxman's ....Min Speed 6 to 6.5 kts ---@#*%!#---  Trying to get into small or awkward harbours was a nightmare. Many a Pilot has had brown trousers the first time he brought one of them into port ---others allways used tugs
Freebooter

[garston1]

A photo of the engines

[farrow]

The comment on min speeds reminds of the RMAS Arrochar, single screw with min 9.5 knots and when gear engaged 11.5 knots for 30 secs. Tugs where available only in British Naval Bases, plus you never let pilots have ago unless you wanted a emergency docking.

[Jimmy James]

We Had a fly boy In charge (No Names --It was his first command Gave us all grey hair we were hopeing he would back to commanding Vampires)
 Freebooter

[pugwash]

Yes they are a menace these ex-pilot skippers, on JUNO ours was an ex-Phantom  pilot and only knew full ahead,
unfortunately he went full astern into the jetty at Piraeus in front of a NATO fleet (ask Bryan Young he was there)
Still it did give us two weeks in Malta getting the prop and rudder repaired.
Geoff

[adam_goodin]

Hi all.... been away for about a month now, without the internet...or boats!!! nightmare haha (another story!)

 However, at present, don't worry about the Bronington  Have a little faith and you may just see her back on the big wet stuff.

All the best Guys and Girls,
 Adam.

[Netleyned]

At last!
Someone who can spell Bronington correctly.
She was built as a minesweeper but converted to
a Minehunter in the early 60's


Ned

[sweeper]

For general info.
The early versions of the Tons were engined with Mirrlees plant (2500 HP), had open bridges and lattice masts. The later ones had Napier Deltic plant (3000HP), enclosed bridges and tripod masts. Over a period of time the originals were converted to the later design to conform with the N.B.C. concept of operation (running the ship completely closed off from the outside world).

Anyone with a sad sense of humour would welcome the chance to work on / remove the space heaters fitted to the main engines and pulse generator. A dirty job as they were diesel fuelled (electric ignition), run on a timer clock and ended up coated with solid black crap. Working under the engines was a real treat.
Ohh  happy days!!!
Sad to see the old ship in that nick though. 

[adam_goodin]

I was on board her last year when she was in dock with the Plymouth. And, although people will say different, a lot of the wear and tare is mostly cosmetic. Her Deck needs replacing though, and unfortunately has leaked, which in turn has ruined a lot of the fittings/furniture below decks.

 But, she isn't to bad considering how she was left, and isn't up for scrap  Trust me.

Her fuel tanks are removed and a large piece of bulkhead missing Aft, where she was converted to hold a function room. Steering gear, or what is left...isn't in a serviceable condition, but, with parts could be re-vamped.

 Don't be to concerned, as I said before, HMS Bronington may just get back out on the big wet stuff yet.

[Martin (Admin)]

Topic renamed... respelt!   

[garston1]

cheers Martin, just a slip of the 'N's.

[FishHead]

Yes they are a menace these ex-pilot skippers, on JUNO ours was an ex-Phantom  pilot and only knew full ahead,
unfortunately he went full astern into the jetty at Piraeus in front of a NATO fleet (ask Bryan Young he was there)
Still it did give us two weeks in Malta getting the prop and rudder repaired.
Geoff

Yup, we had one on the TARTAR. His first attempt at going alongside the wooden fuelling jetty in Freetown was interesting. I think he was expecting an arrestor wire. Didn't half make the old jetty squeal!