Le Samuel Beckett

[Dohville]

Looks like she has got a mooring rope around her prop?

Cheers,Rick.

Remember the old lawnmower you started with a bit of rope?

Nice photo again Norman. Any Idea what the Red objects on the quay wall behind are? I was thinking they are pieces of the UK Aircraft carrier?

[Norman Hardaker]

Le Samuel Beckett

I understood from the Local Pilot that all Appledore's work on the Aircraftless Carriers was complete but will check a next harbour meeting on Friday 4th and will revert with answers.

[Norman Hardaker]

Le Samuel Beckett

Have just leant from the Local Pilot he will be taking the vessel out at 03.30 hrs Saturday 29th and the vessel will be returning to Appledore on the pm tide Thursday 3rd April about 18.00 hrs still daylight . Hope to get photograghs when she returns.

[Dohville]

Hopefully she'll be back on AIS for that.

[Dohville]

Hopefully she'll be back on AIS for that.

Left as scheduled this morning, with the assistance of the local tugs. Took a while to show on AIS though. However trials have begun, reaching another important milestone.

[Norman Hardaker]

Le Samuel Beckett

As promised photogragh of the vessel taken at Ilfracombe this morning by my nephew Martin Humphreys have his permission to put on website.

[Dohville]

Thank you for sharing. Showing great acceleration on AIS.

[Norman Hardaker]

Le Samuel Beckett

Vessel arrived back at Appledore of this morning tide future program unknown.

[Norman Hardaker]

Le Samuel Beckett

Solved the problem attached is photie of the above vessel arriving back from trials this morning.

[Dohville]

From the District Council Website:

le SAMUEL BECKETT came in earlier than planned on this mornings tide after a successful trial, with some adjustments and checks to complete. She will sail for further trials when the height of tide allows, probably on the 14th April.

The weather was calm with light rain and variable visibility. The vessel needed to be swung where there was sufficient room and depth on the falling tides and this was off the shipyard after which the ship returned back downriver portside to alongside the Middle Yard berth.

Pilot was Roger Hoad, with John Pavitt and Thom Flaxman on the Pilot Boat. The shipyard work boat LUNDY PUFFIN ably assisted with the swinging of the 90 metre vessel in the restricted available space.

The ship berthed at high water. Her Captain for the trials was Jerry Waller and the Irish Officers and crew were also working aboard, and looking forward to taking over the state of the art vessel. Her Irish future Captain said that at 10 metres longer than previous vessels it was hoped that she would ride the huge Atlantic seas with extraspeed and comfort. He said that he had recently circumnavigated South America on an Irish naval vessel via the Megellan Straits and Panama.

[Norman Hardaker]

le Samuel Beckett

Saw the Harbour Master yesterday afternoon he sent me a text message late on Wednesday evening which took 17 hrs to reach me . He was pleased I managed photies of her returning from trials due to sail again in two weeks for more. trials.

[a/tel]

Saw the Harbour Master yesterday afternoon he sent me a text message late on Wednesday evening which took 17 hrs to reach me . He was pleased I managed photies of her returning from trials due to sail again in two weeks for more. trials.

Why the second set of trials Norman?.

[Norman Hardaker]

Le Samuel Beckett

They had some problems on the first trials and like any naval ship they just want to make sure everything is working correctly.

[Dohville]

They never got the ship near her advertised max speed. Acceleration looks good though. O-15kts in 1000m.
Was the tidal range in Appledore always this restrictive? How did they manage when they built HMS Enterprise?

[Norman Hardaker]

Le Samuel Beckett

Now you are giving us news Babcocks do no speak to anyone since they took over can you disclose without giving to much away what speed she was due to reach. Can keep watch when next on trials. Under the largest ship built in the shed was HMS Scott which was built from corner to corner with the bow overhanging the pontoon at the entrance and the door kept open all day. Shown on a Coastwatch program on the Discovery Channel recently.