HMS Nelson 1925-1949

[The Sailor]

26 May 1927 - Spectators on the Cornwall coast saw a weird ship doing her steaming trials over the Royal Navy's test course; unlike any ship they had ever seen before, clearly a warship, but all her superstructure was crowded aft.
An odd-looking battleship indeed.

She was commissioned at Portsmouth on 15 Aug 1927, and Portsmouth remained her home port throughout her life. During gunnery tests, the new 16-inch guns had numerous teething troubles, and caused more blast damage than had been expected. Barrel life fell short of the proven 15-inch gun's endurance.

Nonetheless, in October 1927, the "Nellie" became the flagship of the Home Fleet, which she remained until 1941. Before the war she mostly served in home waters, but went to Gibraltar and the Mediterranean for annual naval exercises. She also ventured as far as the Baltic and the Pacific, on making her first transit of the Panama Canal. In 1932-33, she underwent modifications to her bridge, had two MK.V eight-barrelled anti-aircraft guns added, and had multiple machine-guns fitted on the control tower.

Between 1935 and 1938, the Royal Navy continued modernizing Nelson. She participated in testing the experimental "Walrus" amphibian aircraft she had. Horizontal armour was added; high angle gun-control was improved, and a crane was fitted in the port waist. As the Navy recognized the growing threat of airpower, even more anti-aircraft "pom-pom" guns were added near the funnel and on the quarterdeck.
And in 1939, that's how she went to war.

SPECIFICATIONS
Displacement: 33,950 tons (38,000 tons full load)
Length: 710 ft (216.5 m) (overall)
Beam: 106 ft (32 m)
Draught: 33 ft (10 m)
Propulsion: 8 3-drum superheated boilers
2 Brown-Curtiss single reduction geared turbines, 2 screws,
45,000 hp (33.6 MW)
Speed: 23.5 knots (43.5 km/h) (trials)
Range: 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km) at 16 knots (13,000 km at 30 km/h)
Complement: 1,361
Armament: (1945):
Armour: 14 inch (356 mm) midships
6.75 inch deck
16 inch (406 mm) turret face
13.4 inch (330 mm) conning tower sides

Not the prettiest ships that ever sailed.



Below are photos showing her most unusual profile.

[BB60]

The Nelson and the Rodneywere not the best looking ships to come out of British slips.

How were generally appreciated by crews, as to their ship's capabilities?

Is it correct that they could not fire a nine-gun concurrent broadside, as it caused structural damage to the ships?

[The Sailor]

The Malta Convoy

We set off from Gibraltar in August 1942 on HMS Nelson en route to Malta. We had 14 merchant ships to escort as well as the Indomitable, Indefatigable and Victorious. The Spanish had sent signals to the Germans that a big convoy had left Gibraltar so they knew that we were on our way there and of course they were waiting for us. We had to go through “bomb alley”. Just astern of us was the Eagle, one of the aircraft carriers, and it was torpedoed and sunk. They lost about 800 men and all the planes.

I was in the 16inch gun magazine at the bottom of the ship. The Nelson had nine 16inch guns, as did the Rodney our sister ship. Each shell weighed a ton and had to be lifted hydraulically from the magazine into the loading tray. Our skipper was Vice Admiral Neville Syfret, a wonderful man, and he was in charge of the convoy. I’ll never forget it — I’m down in the magazine with my mates, stripped to the waist because the temperature was 125°F down there. We had iron rations, chocolate and glucose, because once you closed the hatches they were never opened until the action was over and we knew we were going to be in action for a long time.

It came over the tannoy system that the first wave of torpedo bombers were attacking us at about 500 at a time. The Admiral gave the order to elevate the guns as high as they could go and we let loose with them. You can imagine nine 16inch shells which weight a ton opening up at the planes — they scattered everywhere. Then another wave came and we lost quite a few ships and cruisers. Out of the original 14 merchant ships only five got into Malta — enough to save the island. One of those was the Ohio, a very important ship carrying kerosene and diesel for the aircraft. The way they got it into Malta harbour was very clever. Two destroyers got either side and put steel hawsers, one round the bows and one round the stern, in a sort of cradle. The men were lying dead on the upper deck.

After five days we got back to Gibraltar — at a cost, the Indomitable aircraft carrier was also lost.

HMS Indomitable and HMS Eagle below

[herakles]

The Malta experience! What a frightful thing that was.

And not only Allied shipping and crews but the inhabitants suffered so badly.

You remember that Jack Hawkins film Sailor? Another of the "good 'ol days" movies!

[The Sailor]

Congrats on your fourth stripe Herk.

No I'm not sure which movie that was actually. What was it's title?

[Batstiger]

Here are a few more pics for the collection.
Three of the Eagle.
One of the Indomitable Portsmouth 1953. ( I had just reached the dizzy heights of Ordinary seaman then.
One of the Nelson.
This picture always intrigues me. It is Nelson's "B" turret. Look between the Boom and the top of the Boot topping and you will see a row of porthole size circles filled in. Any Ideas?
The last one is of one of those big bullets they had to shift about.

[Harley]

British Gunnery procedure generally precluded the use of broadsides unless the range had closed or there was a certainty of hitting.

Any damage inflicted by the guns was entirely superficial which while unacceptable during peacetime conditions was of course quite fine during wartime. There was a problem in the beginning with the bridge area becoming inhospitable, but this was solved for the most part by baffles.

I don't know, they look rather good for a battleship. The all-guns-forward arrangement certainly conveys a "don't mess with me look". Then again, I find the 12-inch gunned British ships all attractive!

Harley

[John Brown]

Jeff

As you have mentioned them and unless posted elsewhere, would you like to explain how Nelson and Rodney got their rather unkind knicknames?


Regards....John

[John Brown]

Sorry to butt in Herk but I'm treating Sailors question as a mini quiz.

The film with Jack Hawkins and Alec Guiness was called 'The Malta Story' released in 1953.

Regards....John

[The Sailor]

Do you mean the row of seemingly blanked out portholes below the bottom row of conventional portholes Bob?

I have a question. I am surprised that there are portholes {and a double row at that} adjacent to the turret base and magazine lifts at all. I would have thought that it would have weakened the armoured hull at that crucial point?

I am sorry about the BB-11 mistake when I typed it up. This is a quirk in the board software and although the name can be changed in the post ie 28, it won't change on the header leader.
I have told Kc of this problem.

[The Sailor]

quote: I don't know, they look rather good for a battleship. The all-guns-forward arrangement certainly conveys a "don't mess with me look".

There was a thought that mounting all the armament at the front had something to do with "the chase" Harley. Italian battleships were very heavily gunned on the stern.


Italian battleship Giulio Cesare below

[Batstiger]

Yes Graeme those are the ones I am on about.
Here are a couple more pictures of the lady in question.
There are a few acres of awnings on the first one!

[The Sailor]

Well if I had to guess on it I'd say they simply look like a third row of portholes that have been welded up after a change of mind on the design Bob.

[Batstiger]

There's an awful lot of them and they are pretty close together, no wonder they changed their minds!

[The Sailor]

How about my question further back in regard to having portholes in that area at all?

[Harley]

Jeff

As you have mentioned them and unless posted elsewhere, would you like to explain how Nelson and Rodney got their rather unkind knicknames?


Regards....John

There were two oilers being built at the same time with similar names, i.e. ending in "ol".

Sailor, the armament layout was dictated by restrictions, of sorts. The RN had asked for a battleship of 45,000 tons with 9 18-inch guns, design N3. All guns forward meant the citadel didn't have to be too long and consequently not as much armour on the all-or-nothing principle. Then the Washington Treaty came along and the RN tried to fit 9 16-inch guns and as much stuff possible into a 35,000 ton hull. End-on-fire had long been abandoned in favour of broadsides, and the habit of the Italians, and the Americans too, to build ships with uniform main armaments at either end, was just the attempt to get as alrge a broadside as possible.

Harley

[Batstiger]

I wasn't ignoring your question Graeme, I find that nearly all ships have portholes running the length of the hull excluding the engine and boiler rooms.Don't forget that the magazines are well below the water line and that the main turrets are complete units of their own sitting inside of the hull. See here:-

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Animated_gun_turret.gif/300px-Animated_gun_turret.gif

Bob.

[BB60]

John,

As Harley said, it was due to their more-than-passing similarity in appearance to oilers of the day.

[John Brown]

Jeff and Harley

Between you I think you have almost given the answer I was looking for. I had heard that the ships looked, in silouette, remarkably like the tankers operated by a particular line whose ships names all ended in 'ol'. I can't remember the name of the line. Do either of you know it?

Regards...John

[The Sailor]

I wasn't ignoring your question Graeme, I find that nearly all ships have portholes running the length of the hull excluding the engine and boiler rooms.Don't forget that the magazines are well below the water line and that the main turrets are complete units of their own sitting inside of the hull. See here:-

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Animated_gun_turret.gif/300px-Animated_gun_turret.gif

Bob.


That's a pretty neat working diagram Bob. Thanks for including it. Fantastic engineering a multiple turret.

[BB60]

Jeff and Harley

Between you I think you have almost given the answer I was looking for. I had heard that the ships looked, in silouette, remarkably like the tankers operated by a particular line whose ships names all ended in 'ol'. I can't remember the name of the line. Do either of you know it?

Regards...John

No, John, unfortunately I don't know the line of ships. I just remember reading of the substitute name in one of my books and finding it to be comedic.

I did find the below ships at this site http://www.naval-history.net/WW2BritishLosses5Support.htm that fit the naming convention. Maybe a search of the names could render the line?

BIRCHOL (1,115t, 1917), wrecked off Hebrides, W of Scotland, November 29, 1939
FRANCOL (2,623t, 1917), sunk by gunfire of Japanese surface craft, S of Java, March 3, 1942
MONTENOL (2,646t, 1917), torpedoed by U-boat, North Atlantic. Sunk by own forces, May 21, 1942
SLAVOL (2,623t, 1917), sunk by U-boat torpedo sailing for Tobruk, Libya, March 26, 1942

I went ahead and did a search and found this on the Montenol at this site (http://ubootwaffe.net/ops/ships.cgi?boat=159;nr=1). Looks like it was owned by the King's government.

tons 2,646
type Steam Tanker
nationality BR
built 1917 - W Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool
company The Admiralty - Royal Fleet Auxiliary
voyage Greenock to Freetown, Sierra Leone
convoy OS-28
cargo in ballast
master Edward Emile August Le Sage
casualties 3 lost from a complement of 64
attacker U 159
date 21.05.1942
time 0324
fate torpedoed
square reported CF7389
position 36.41N/22.45W
Notes Technical
oiler
steam - single screw
2,646 GRT - 2,000 DWT
342'6" x 41'6" x 22'5"
U-159 attacked the convoy firing four torpedoes at a group of five steamers. After running times of 1 minute 45 seconds, 1 minute 46 seconds, 1 minute 50 seconds and 1 minute 55 seconds, detonations and a fire column were seen. Three ships were observed to be in sinking condition, one of them burning. One of the ships was hit by one more torpedo from a two torpedo spread. In fact only Montenol and New Brunswick were torpedoed in this attack. There is no Allied confirmation of a third ship hit. Montenol was badly damaged in this attack, she was abandoned and then sunk by gunfire by the corvette HMS Woodruff (K.53). The Master, 52 crew and 8 gunners were rescued by the sloop HMS Wellington and landed at Freetown. Three crew were lost. Thanks to Walter Janssens for extra information on this page.

Unless otherwise stated, all dates and times are from the German perspective and are given in CET.
NEW There is a page to assist with grid squares here (http://ubootwaffe.net/quadrant.cgi).

[tim lewin]

Here is a picture of Nelson taken from ashanti sdent to me by an old Ashanti hand; plus a rather fine drawing of Ashanti, by then the flangship of Adm. Burrough hadnding over the remains of Pedestal to the local forces. If you look back thru my ealry posts you wil find a snap of Adm Burrough still wearing his life belt after jackstay transfer from Nigeria to Ashanti.
tim

[The Sailor]

Thanks John. I thought I'd seen them all, but that is one British war movie I never did see.

[TheDigger]

Alec Guiness was a Spitfire Pilot I think he flew a Recce Spit in the movie and well in the end he was a hero

[Batstiger]

A couple of memory joggers for you Graeme!

[The Sailor]

I thought that Alec Guiness looked quite old in that pic so I looked up his age.
He was born in 1914 making him 39 in that pic. Looks older.

[porelhall]

I saw the title HMS Nelson and the Malta Convoy and I remember while serving on HMS Arethusa I was ship's Bugler and we had permission to use HMS Nelson's silver bugle with her name engraved on it. That was circa 1966. I don't think a bugle was as carefully looked after. The captain R.D. Butt R.N. returned it to the Portsmouth Naval Museum at the end of our Commission...Happy memories......:):)

[herakles]

Yes. The Malta Story. That's the one.

I bought my copy when visiting Malta a few years ago. VHS too.

Good film in the best Ealing tradition.

[The Sailor]

I saw the title HMS Nelson and the Malta Convoy and I remember while serving on HMS Arethusa I was ship's Bugler and we had permission to use HMS Nelson's silver bugle with her name engraved on it. That was circa 1966. I don't think a bugle was as carefully looked after. The captain R.D. Butt R.N. returned it to the Portsmouth Naval Museum at the end of our Commission...Happy memories......:):)

Welcome here old sailor. It is very pleasing to see real types here like yourself.
Some of us here aren't from the er, Andrew as Bob puts it. We just have an interest in what was done by others.
Enjoy this forum and add your experiences to it.
Graeme [far to the south]

[tim lewin]

back to Pedestal; here is the picture i promised of Adm. Burrough settling into the bridge of HMS Ashanti after transferring his flag from the damaged Nigeria; Ashanti's only damage throughout the entire convoy and retun was a single hit from a .303 bullet to the oerlikon call-up buzzer on the bridge, protected by the ju-ju presented by the Ashanti people just before the war.

[The Sailor]

Thanks Tim. I have started a new post off for HMS Nigeria. Would you like to move your post there or leave it here? Whatever mate.

[Melv.]

......and not forgetting the mighty Ark Royal's contribution to the relief of Malta with convoy protection.

[John Brown]

Tim

Interesting post re damage caused by .303 bullet. Was this friendly fire then?

Regards...John

[tim lewin]

Unfortunately there is no one left who can remember! thats the value of these forums, so many memories, not just "significant" events like Pedestal, just all the minutae that real life is made up from. I can tell you that the junkers that crashed onto the deck of the Ohio was almost certainly shot down by Ashanti, at least finished of. Ohio was ahead as the bomber passed over Ashanti at masthead height and recieved all of the concentrated fire they could muster, my father was the gunnery officer, whereuopon it caught fire, vered away and crashed onto Ohio's foredeck. The attached postcard of the painting of the incident, I think was by Hamilton, graphically depicts this.
Channel 4 made a superb 60 minute programme of Pedestal (They used the postcard to announce this) in which they interviewed many of the survivors. One of the great episodes of the Pedestal convoy was the rescue of the survivors of the Waimarama be HMS Ledbury. Her skipper, Roger Hill, had been with Ledbury on PQ17 a few months earlier and the forced abandonment of the convoy by the escort and the convoy's subsequent decimation had left a bitter taste with the ships company. When Waimarama was bombed and blew up covering the sea bith blazing fuel Roger Hill reversed the little Ledbury (hunt) into the flames and picked up all he could find in the water. captured again by one of Hamiltons brilliant paintings.
The other pic show Col Pace Bonello of Malta representing the Maltese veterans of the Siege of Malta laying a wreath at the dedication ceremony for the Malta Memorial in London on August 15th, 2005, behind him is Amd. Burnell Nugent.
All best
tim

[tim lewin]

I should have added that I have a copy of the Ch.4 programme if anyone might want one run off onto DVD; and that there is a Ledbury Association with still a few survivors left.
tim

[herakles]

I found this most absorbing Tim.

The pics you added were very good. The second one especially. Seeing the flag flying as if in defiance is stirring stuff.

[gordon walker]

hi my dad served on the nelson betwen late 30s up untill earley 40s i was looking for a crew list i was wondering if any one knows where i would find one. sorry im new to this:rolleyes:

[John Brown]

Welcome to the forum Gordon

Hopefully someone will come up with the info you require. In the meantime why don't you tell us a bit more of your dad's service that you already know?


Regards....John

[herakles]

Welcome Gordon! I agree, a bit more information would be interesting.

[gordon walker]

Welcome to the forum Gordon

Hopefully someone will come up with the info you require. In the meantime why don't you tell us a bit more of your dad's service that you already know?


Regards....John
all i really know is he was a gunner on board the nelly he recentley passed away he u to tell me about convoys they used to attend i didnt listen much i found some of his navel papers when he passed away and now i wished i listend more he got to a good age 81 i just hope someone rembers him his name was peter walker i would like to learn more regards gordon.

[herakles]

I fear we are all guilty of not listening to our parents then later, when it's too late, to wish we had.

[astraltrader]

Welcome Gordon - Here is an interesting link to a site about HMS Nelson with a crew list underneath. Your father is not on the list - but they are asking relatives to contact them with any missing names. I think it would be good for you to re-unite him with his shipmates...
Give it a read.

http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/ships/nelson.html

[ChalkyWhite]

Hello Tim,

The Admiral to the right in the picture at the Malta Siege Memorial at Tower Place in 2005 is Vice Admiral J H McAnally CB LVO the President of the Royal Naval Association who was acting as Master of Ceremony.
This memorial was placed on the anniversary of the Pedestal Convoy.

Chalky White

[tim lewin]

Thanks Chalky, getting my Admirals mixed up, nice to see this thread revived as well, far too good to be buried in the pages of history!
tim
PS. I think it's time you told the full story of the US Volunteers..

[Batstiger]

I think this could be the right place to pop in this "Obituary"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/2959716/Norman-Owen.html

Bob.

[vivian]

Very interesting accounts Bob; thanks for putting this up. Ordinary men with extraordinary courage.

As it happens Nigel put up a photo of cruise ship Saga Rose yesterday on Terry's Liner Gallery.

[nigelweysom]

The visit of HMS Nelson

HMS Nelson the newest and greatest Battle ship of the British Navy arrived at Guernsey on Tuesday 16th June 1931, on board was Admiral Sir Michael Hodge K.C.B. C.M.G. C.V.O. C.in C. Atlantic Fleet, she stayed until Tuesday 23rd June there were many sporting and social events organised for the officers and crew and during their stay they joined in the islands celebration of the birthday of King George V,
Unfortunately the crew suffered a tragedy during the visit with the death of a popular crew mate , po 22341 pte Thomas Edwin Rees Royal Marines ,a 23 year old unmarried Welsh man who was found in the water of St peterport harbour he had marks on his face but the cause of death was uncertain ,
He was buried at Fort George Military cemetery on Tuesday the 23rd
Hundreds of islanders turned out to line the route of the funeral procession, and the flags on all the principle buildings of St Peterport were at half mast the coffin was carried on a gun carriage accompanied a full escort and the royal marine band and a firing party of 12 , upon arrival at Fort George the Funeral party was visible from Nelson

22046

22047

[warner3033]

hi my partners granddad (Thomas aitchison mackie)or maybe classed as jock mackie served on the nelson , in his travels he was on the fleet of ships heading towards Malta , has anyone got any crew pictures or clear ship pictures of the HMS nelson , if you have it would be much appreciated if you could show them to me , sadly Thomas mackie died last year after goin blind and finding it realy hard to cope with bless him , thank you for your time

matthew

[Hencore]

Hi there Mathew,

Sorry to hear about your granddad.

Heres a link to a thread containing lots of pictures of HMS Nelson and her sister Rodney:

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1747&highlight=nelson

The Nelson class is probably one of my favorite battleships of the RN, I just love the layout and the 16" guns. My great grandfather served aboard Nelson aswell.

I have a few books if you need any more specific information.

[rumrat]

Mathew ,
Here's a couple of half decent shots of NELSON.
Regards
Dave

[Batstiger]

Have a look here Matthew there are some fine examples of both the Nelson and the Rodney.

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1747&highlight=nelson


We have a pretty good search system on this forum, you might save yourself a bit of time if you try it first and if not satisfied then ask.

Cheers, Bob.

[tim lewin]

Here is a very small snap of Nelson on the Malta-bound Pedestal convoy taken from the escorting destryer Ashanti. Possibly someone can make it bigger for you. From what you say, your gradfather would be there.
Best wishes
tim

[Rob Cumming]

Hello.

My father Hamish Cumming was a Marine and served on HMS Eagle (up to her sinking) and HMS Nelson during wwII. I'm joining this Forum partly for my own interest and partly to help him follow up his own Naval interests and perhaps help him make contact with other veterans. He is not on good terms with computers so if any of you ask questions of him it will take a while to get them answered, but I'll try and get his responses quickly.

A question he's wondered about often: Nelson arrived off Normandy on D-Day plus 1 according to Dad. He saw American coastguard cutters retrieving American dead from the water near Nelson. Does anyone know for certain which landing-place the ship was closest to?

[Stan.J]

I believe she was off Gold Beach?

[jbryce1437]

Welcome to the Forum Rob. You will find a comprehensive account of HMS Nelson on this link. From the information there, it appears she was lying off Gold Beach.

http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-01BB-Nelson.htm

[jbryce1437]

Snap Stan, great minds think alike. This is a graphic showing where my old ship (I didnt serve on her until nearly 25 years after the D Day encounter) was stationed on D Day, and Gold Beach can be seen on the left of the pic.

[Stan.J]

Rob, It would be quite likely that your Dad saw U.S.Coastguard cutters retrieving bodies. Gold beach was adjacent to the U.S.First Army beaches of Omaha and Utah.Omaha Beach met with the stiffest opposition- nearly 4,000 men were casualities there by the end of the "Longest Day"

[BIG LES]

Snap Stan, great minds think alike. This is a graphic showing where my old ship (I didnt serve on her until nearly 25 years after the D Day encounter) was stationed on D Day, and Gold Beach can be seen on the left of the pic.

http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/guides/HMS_Nelson_-_Nelson_class_battleship
Here a full history of this grand old lady

[Rob Cumming]

Thanks for your posts on this and the very useful links. I'll be back with info and questions soon!

BTW, Dad manned a 6-inch gun on Nelson. He had been a fuse-setter on an AA gun on Eagle. He much preferred the AA job because he could see what was going on!

Rob

[Don Boyer]

As an American buff of battleships of all kinds, I have always thought the Nelsons to be particularly handsome ships that Sir Eustace designed perfectly to fit the constraints of the treaties of the day. It was his last work before retiring. The Nelson bridgework was the first step toward the enclosed towers of the next (and last) generation of battleships. Several people have mentioned that they had no firepower aft upon seeing photos of the ships. My response has always been that British battleships are most often found facing the enemy.

[astraltrader]

Love it Don!!

If the Nelson and Rodney were in effect incomplete as a design then it can be put down to the Washington Defence Treaty.

[Batstiger]

I would liked to have see whatever would have materialised had they not been restricted by the Washinngton Defence Treaty.

Bob.

[Don Boyer]

I would liked to have see whatever would have materialised had they not been restricted by the Washinngton Defence Treaty.

Bob.
Pages 652 and 653 of Oscar Parkes' "British Battleships" has a line drawing and a sketch by Oscar Parkes of the proposed 1921 battle cruisers with three triple 16" turrets. This and several similar designs were the "could-have-beens" that the Nelsons eventually were based on. R.A. Burt's "British Battleships 1919 - 1939, pp. 328 -329 show three of the early design proposals for the Nelsons. I know I have a book somewhere with line drawings of the post-WWI British follow-ons to the Hood, but darned if I can find them at the moment. When I hunt them down, I will post the information.

[ObiWanRussell]

I would liked to have see whatever would have materialised had they not been restricted by the Washinngton Defence Treaty.

Bob.

I think they would have looked a bit like this...

[astraltrader]

I read that they would have been symmetrical with conventional X and Y turrets - instead of three 16" turrets facing forward.

Just to remind members reading this thread that there are excellent pictures of these two great battleships in this photo-gallery...


http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1747



...

[E.R.Tiffy]

Do you mean the row of seemingly blanked out portholes below the bottom row of conventional portholes Bob?

I have a question. I am surprised that there are portholes {and a double row at that} adjacent to the turret base and magazine lifts at all. I would have thought that it would have weakened the armoured hull at that crucial point?

I am sorry about the BB-11 mistake when I typed it up. This is a quirk in the board software and although the name can be changed in the post ie 28, it won't change on the header leader.
I have told Kc of this problem.

The configuration.of the hull was as follows.Inside the outer hull was an internal blister, then the trimmable bouyancy tanks,then the fuel and fresh water tanks and finally the armour belt varying in thickness from 9" to 15". Any penetration from mine or torpedo would blow outwards with minimal damage.I once had to free a siezed up valve operating rod situated in the outer space. Access to this was [ by dingy] through a porthole sized plate fastened to the hull with hex screws a few feet above the waterline.This plate could be one of the many in question for access anywhere along the hull. Another thought,were they designed to blow outwards in a missile attack?

[Grant D]

My Grandfather who recently passed never spoke anything about the war just that he was a 4.7inch gunner on the Nelson..Ive since aqquired his service and gunnery records,he was on the Nelson from march 42 to oct 43 the rest of his time was spent at Braganza, Victory..would love to hear from anyone who has a relative or served themselves on the Nelson....
His name is Bernard Francis Dingley (Portsmouth) jx221791....I have some pics will post when i can work out how to:)

[Grant D]

The Malta Convoy

We set off from Gibraltar in August 1942 on HMS Nelson en route to Malta. We had 14 merchant ships to escort as well as the Indomitable, Indefatigable and Victorious. The Spanish had sent signals to the Germans that a big convoy had left Gibraltar so they knew that we were on our way there and of course they were waiting for us. We had to go through “bomb alley”. Just astern of us was the Eagle, one of the aircraft carriers, and it was torpedoed and sunk. They lost about 800 men and all the planes.

I was in the 16inch gun magazine at the bottom of the ship. The Nelson had nine 16inch guns, as did the Rodney our sister ship. Each shell weighed a ton and had to be lifted hydraulically from the magazine into the loading tray. Our skipper was Vice Admiral Neville Syfret, a wonderful man, and he was in charge of the convoy. I’ll never forget it — I’m down in the magazine with my mates, stripped to the waist because the temperature was 125°F down there. We had iron rations, chocolate and glucose, because once you closed the hatches they were never opened until the action was over and we knew we were going to be in action for a long time.

It came over the tannoy system that the first wave of torpedo bombers were attacking us at about 500 at a time. The Admiral gave the order to elevate the guns as high as they could go and we let loose with them. You can imagine nine 16inch shells which weight a ton opening up at the planes — they scattered everywhere. Then another wave came and we lost quite a few ships and cruisers. Out of the original 14 merchant ships only five got into Malta — enough to save the island. One of those was the Ohio, a very important ship carrying kerosene and diesel for the aircraft. The way they got it into Malta harbour was very clever. Two destroyers got either side and put steel hawsers, one round the bows and one round the stern, in a sort of cradle. The men were lying dead on the upper deck.

After five days we got back to Gibraltar — at a cost, the Indomitable aircraft carrier was also lost.

HMS Indomitable and HMS Eagle below
Hi My Grandfather was on the Nelson as a gunner on the 4.7inchers march1942 to October43 his name was Bernard Francis Dingley form Portsmouth he never spoke of the war and recently i obtained his service records..and am now researching his postings etc, great story.

[Dreadnought]

Hi Grant, welcome to the Forum.

As mentioned in my PM to you, I have merged your newly posted thread about HMS Nelson with this existing thread.

When you get use to the Forum, it is best to use the search facility before posting, just to ensure that there isn't an existing thread related to you topic. This just keeps everything together.

Should you require assistance with any aspects of the Forum, you only need to shout. There are very many members who are only too willing to help.

I recommend you have a look through our FAQ section for information regarding such things as posting, signatures, avatars etc. Please also feel free to contact myself or any of the other Forum Moderators should you need any additional information.

Further guidance can also be found here:
http://www.worldnavalships.com/forum...ead.php?t=5661 (http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5661)

[qprdave]

Some reports from The Times during the Construction and Launching of HMS Nelson

[John Odom]

It is interesting to note that even as this ship was building there was speculation on whether there would ever be more of her kind. I fully understand why, but it is sad to see such magnificent machines only immobile in musems. But that is much better than having them all scrapped. Too bad Britain didn't preserve more of her magnificent RN heritage.

[RNfanDan]

Here's a rather fine view of late-war Nelson at anchor. Enjoy!

[GaryH]

Too bad Britain didn't preserve more of her magnificent RN heritage.

Warspite is the one that should have been saved

[VirtualF]

There is a lot made about their looks (not all of it complimentry).Personally I think that,although not beautiful in the way that HMS Renown/Hood/Tiger/Vanguard are,the pair do have a sort of purposeful beauty and certainly a sense of strength. They "do exactly what it says on they can".

Matt

[Shinysheff]

I agree Matt. Not beautiful but still amazing looking machines. I heard that the design for Imperial Star Destroyers was influenced by these ships. I can see the resemblance.

[rumrat]

Cracking picture Dan, Cheers mate.
Regards
Dave

[rtwpsom2]

HMS Nelson and Rodney. Please don't discuss where they came from.

[Dick]

rtw, A stunning set of photos. Thanks for posting them.

[Teuchter]

Fantastic!!!!

[delboy86]

Would anyone have anything of Nelson when she ran aground on a sandbank leaving Portsmouth in 1934?

Del.

[tomsam]

:DRTWPSOM2. It is agreed that these are fantastic photographs, It was an opportunity too good to miss so I have downloaded these for my own private use only. I hope you don't mind. If it turns out that copyright prevents me then rest assured I will wipe them from my computer. Again if copyright allows and you have anymore like this to share please do so as the quality is brilliant. Thanks once again.
Les

[rtwpsom2]

Save them for your personal use, but don't discuss where you got them with anyone.

[nigelweysom]

Save them for your personal use, but don't discuss where you got them with anyone.

that being the case i will say nowt
Nigel

[spruso]

Excellent photos. Thanks for putting them up.
Cheers
BC

[GaryH]

Terrific photos - Thanks

[astraltrader]

Thanks for showing us these - I have changed them to thumbnails as that is the way we ask our members to upload pictures and attachments.

Many thanks again.

[rtwpsom2]

They were too big for attaching and I didn't want to reduce the quality. I also want to be able to remove them after a couple days. Would you please change them back or remove them completely?

[Dreadnought]

Hi rtwpsom2,

The thumbnails will open to the same size and quality as long as the file size is below 1.9mb which should be plenty.

If you haven’t already done so, I strongly recommend you visit our “Welcome” thread (link below). Here, you will find help and guidance for using the Forum, and some further links to other guidance and tips that may be useful to you.

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=7490

There is guidance on uploading images here:

http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7500

This explains how to load images as thumbnails, and why this method is preferred on the forum.

Should you require any further assistance with any aspects of the Forum, please do not hesitate to contact myself, Terry, or one of the other Forum Moderators.

Cheers

[rtwpsom2]

I may not have effectively communicated why I hosted the pictures myself. I only wanted them available for a limited time. Since I can not go back and edit my post to remove them, I hotlinked to them. They have now been on longer than I wished and I want them removed.

[tonclass]

I may not have effectively communicated why I hosted the pictures myself. I only wanted them available for a limited time. Since I can not go back and edit my post to remove them, I hotlinked to them. They have now been on longer than I wished and I want them removed.

Just home from nightshift and saw your request. Please find all pix removed forthwith..... (And thanks for sharing them with us)

[rtwpsom2]

I am sorry there was confusion over it. If the situation arises again, I will make sure and speak with a mod first.

[Andy3E]

I hope it wont discourage you from posting images in the future, they were excellent shots

BTW are you the same chap who was building a CG Scharnhorst?

[rtwpsom2]

Yes, I did the CAD for Dragon's new kit. You can see a gallery of it here (http://www.tankwerkz.com/schgal.html).

[Andy3E]

Yes, I did the CAD for Dragon's new kit. You can see a gallery of it here (http://www.tankwerkz.com/schgal.html).

ah yes, i remember seeing them at modelwarships, magnificent work, what do you use? i used to be pretty proficient in Lightwave but dot really do much CG work these days

those pictures wouldnt have anything to do with a recent poll by any chance? :cool:

[rtwpsom2]

I use SolidWorks, I need to be able to use a CAD program rather than a graphics program. People would hated it if my models were not dimensionally correct. Dragon uses my cad almost directly to cut molds. they modify what they need to scale it down, but they leave a lot more than I expected alone.

The Nelson pics were something I bought a long time ago and were my way of saying thanks for other pictures I have gotten off the gallery threads on this website, some of which might have been used on past or current projects. ;) ;) nudge nudge

Hopefully you guys will be able to put them to good use.

[astraltrader]

And greatfully appreciated my friend! :)

[Please see my PM]