Submarine barrier Portsmouth?

Re: Submarine barrier Portsmouth

Data for photo:

15 September 2008

Time: 16:49 (Data capture at Chimet: 16.50)

Depth (at Chichester Bar): 1.02 above chart datum

Pressure: 1022.6 mb
 
Re: Submarine barrier Portsmouth

Been there, done that, didn't touch the sides /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

3 abreast currently, try for 4 abreast soon. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Yup, that is the barrier, visible at low water. There are two passages through, well marked and lit. One near the beach, and one mid way to the fort.
I have passed over the blocks years ago, in fog, but not advised!

[/ QUOTE ] If it was to keep UBoats out why did they light it? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
I think is is a submarine, as in under the water, rather than submarine u-boat barrier. The forts and barriers were there to stop big raggies with guns rather than 20th century stuff. The had cables between the fors that could be raised to stop the froggies getting in.
 
Re: Wot Submarine barrier? (re benjenbav)

Your data suggests that the blocks dry about a metre above datum.
Do you think our readers can subtract from the nearest tide gauges?
probably going too fast (re Hurricane) as Portsmouth NTM No7 /07 states a speed limit of 10 knots out there!
 
My understanding of the barrier was that it stopped submarines. Tha gap between the forts, the main fairway, was closed by wire hawsers and chains. The same was done at the other end of the Solent, at Hurst Castle to the IOW. Althogh the forts are Napolionic, they were modified as required for each war.
 
[ QUOTE ]
My understanding of the barrier was that it stopped submarines. Tha gap between the forts, the main fairway, was closed by wire hawsers and chains. The same was done at the other end of the Solent, at Hurst Castle to the IOW. Although the forts are Napolionic, they were modified as required for each war.

[/ QUOTE ]
Look at the depths on the charts, nowhere is there depth enough for a submarine to submerge. The name relates only to the fact that they are sub-marine.

They are located where they are because each has it's own freshwater spring so they could withstand a siege. They are too far spaced to have cables or chains between them and it was not their purpose, they were just forts with gun batteries ready to fire on invading forces. There was however a chain used across from the Round Tower to Fort Blockhouse at the entrance to the harbour in Henry the 8th's day which could be raised and lowered. There used to be some remaining links in the Round Tower museum when I was a kid, don't know if they are stil there.

They were used as anti aircraft batteries in the WW2.
 
Just a note of caution before all you guys go steaming at 90knts through the gap, in the summer just gone I came across two swimmers in the water in between the outer gap. Single handed and didn't see them but just heard them in time to avoid as they shouted 'ahoy' as a warning ! I cant post my response but think they understood. exercise they shouted .... madness more like !
 
Ah..... sub-marine not submarine!
That makes a lot of sense as I to wondered why a U-Boat couldn't just go around it! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Guess it wasn't lit up during the war either eh? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
BTW Rob, I'm glad I'm not the only one that will take any opertunity to just go and "have a look" at the sea! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Wot Submarine barrier? (re benjenbav)

ahwwwwww - I thought this was all quite interesting!

/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Re: Wot Submarine barrier? (re benjenbav)

[ QUOTE ]
...as Portsmouth NTM No7 /07 states a speed limit of 10 knots out there!

[/ QUOTE ]
Unfortunately not, the 10 knot speed limit applies up to 1000 yards offshore - the dolphin passage is about 1500 yards offshore. The only restriction is "proceeding at a safe speed" under rule 6.
 
Re: Wot Submarine barrier? (re benjenbav)

Yep - agreed

I understand that the correct procedure as far as QHM is concerned is that you have to "punch the air" as you go through Dolphin Gate - and at the correct speed of course.

Oh - a correction
You ALL have to "punch the air" as you go through Dolphin Gate.
 
Hi Sneds,
Are we not men?
Or wots the point?
OOPs soz had a few just got back from the local (too local)I love looking at the sea,but one thing I cannot get my head around is all the traffic???
In wales we have a lot of the small boats (on a hot summers day) but my god how do you guy;s cope with the traffic?
 
Re: Wot speed limit? (re lescargot)

You're right of course, but arguably unwise to promulgate!
So do you slow down off the Hayling shore where the 10-knot restriction applies 500 yds beyond MLWS?
That's close to the East Winner and includes both the new West Pole and Bar Beacons.
Or do you just glance in the rear-view mirror and put yer foot down?
 
Re: Wot speed limit? (re lescargot)

The Dockyard limits with the 10kt rule are quite a way from West Pole:

05147001.gif
 
Re: Wot speed limit? (re lescargot)

[ QUOTE ]
You're right of course, but arguably unwise to promulgate!
So do you slow down off the Hayling shore where the 10-knot restriction applies 500 yds beyond MLWS?
That's close to the East Winner and includes both the new West Pole and Bar Beacons.
Or do you just glance in the rear-view mirror and put yer foot down?

[/ QUOTE ]
No I don't slow down anywhere there is a 10 knot limit...
























... but then if you checked my profile and see what boat I've got you would realise that it is a 40 year old heavy displacement sailing boat with a cruising speed of 5 knots (although I did get 10 knots once last year with the help of a following 5 knots of spring tide!) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh, and I don't have a rear view mirror. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
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