She is the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy.

[Caer Urfa]

Not sure what the fuss is about as the QE is a baby compared to the American Nimitz class carriers at 97.000 tons

 

[JumbleDuck]

Exactly. So it didn't happen. Plus that's kinda old news. If such a thing exists.

You'll notice that I wrote "at one time".

The ships are still a grotesque waste of money, which we are only buying because Gordon Brown's government managed to sign a contract under which it cost more to cancel the order than to go ahead with it. Still, I suppose it will be good news for the prostitutes of Gibraltar and Portsmouth.

 

[capnsensible]

The ships are still a grotesque waste of money, which we are only buying because Gordon Brown's government managed to sign a contract under which it cost more to cancel the order than to go ahead with it. Still, I suppose it will be good news for the prostitutes of Gibraltar and Portsmouth.

Subjective.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Am I alone having read the small clearances that will apply getting it out of Rosyth and some (ahem) "issues" the Grey Funnel Line had with navigation with a sub a while ago, thinking that we have a huge opportunity for the cockup fairy to visit?

 

[jac]

Am I alone having read the small clearances that will apply getting it out of Rosyth and some (ahem) "issues" the Grey Funnel Line had with navigation with a sub a while ago, thinking that we have a huge opportunity for the cockup fairy to visit?

Yup.

Aren't there also very tight limits for entering Pompey. IIRC - she can only enter or leave on springs. Somewhat a limitation I would have thought. Maybe they should be based in Devonport or maybe QHM could dredge a bit more out of the channel at Pompey?

 

[Martin_J]

Looks like she is on the move... with the eleven tugs around her..

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/shipid:4585861/zoom:14

 

[Motor_Sailor]

 

[Martin_J]

and now on the harbour webcam
http://www.forth-bridges.co.uk/queensferry-crossing/gallery-queens/rosyth-dockyard-webcam.html

 

[Blue Sunray]

Time-lapse footage of HMS Queen Elizabeth leaving the wall. Next phase is to anchor up before proceeding to pass under the Forth Bridges later this evening.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155445355924393

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155449409073205

 

[Frogmogman]

If you're going to build a white elephant, I suppose it might as well be a massive one.

 

[agurney]

I'm a little concerned about the lack of height under the new Forth crossing. The QE's waiting for low water, and has had to lower a mast in preparation, but there's still several metres of scaffolding hanging below the road deck - I just hope that's been factored in.

This is how it looked when I drove by yesterday, with the obstructions highlighted [apologies for the grainy enlargement from dashcam video]

 

[bikedaft]

I'm a little concerned about the lack of height under the new Forth crossing. The QE's waiting for low water, and has had to lower a mast in preparation, but there's still several metres of scaffolding hanging below the road deck - I just hope that's been factored in.

This is how it looked when I drove by yesterday, with the obstructions highlighted [apologies for the grainy enlargement from dashcam video]

from navionics "clearances are the minimum at MHWS with maintenance gantries in place"

road bridge 45-46m rail bridge 44m no figure for new road bridge but i'm sure someone has checked it...

 

[mainsail1]

I seem to remember reading that the new road bridge has greater clearance than the old.

 

[st599]

"Once there she will start her engines and wait for low tide to go under the Forth bridges. "

Lets hope they are a little bit better designed than those on the Type 45 destroyers....

Similar, but bigger turbines.

 

[Malish]

Similar, but bigger turbines.

oh dear, Arctic convoys only then ?

 

[daviddb]

But on the bright side she's equipped with the latest all singing all dancing version of Windows Xp. Or so claims the ever meticulous BBC.
David
(grey in Pembrokeshire)

 

[auditdata]

She has managed to go into “Stealth Mode”. No AIS report for the last hour. Bet that fooled the Russians.

 

[JumbleDuck]

She has managed to go into “Stealth Mode”. No AIS report for the last hour. Bet that fooled the Russians.

Or she's sunk already.

 

[prv]

But on the bright side she's equipped with the latest all singing all dancing version of Windows Xp. Or so claims the ever meticulous BBC.

Could be true. I believe the infamous "Windows for Warships" is a lightly modified version of XP.

Pete

 

[JumbleDuck]

Could be true. I believe the infamous "Windows for Warships" is a lightly modified version of XP.

I think the current XP panic is a rehash of a rumour that went round two years ago when technicians working on the Queen Elizabeth were seen to have the XP "rolling hills" background on a screen. The story then was that it was an ironic screenshot background and that XP would not be used anywhere on the ships. Of course that might just be what they want Mr Putin to think ...