Final Piece of the Jigsaw

The final piece of the aircraft carrier - (HMS) Prince of Wales - left Govan today and is now heading to Rosyth.

This is the Aft Island section.

Ayton Cross took the bow of the barge with CMS Warrior taking the stern.

The Esvagt Connector followed on and she took over the tow at Greenock to continue the journey.

I stopped off at Ferguson Marine where the new Calmac ferry will be launched tomorrow morning.


Passing Langbank


Approaching Port Glasgow


Sea Going Tug Esvagt Connector


Esvagt Connector


All the Tugs


Passing Port Glasgow


CMS Warrior


Heading Downriver


Bound for Greenock


Final Preparations for Tomorrow's Launch


Taking the Strain


Stern View


Heading to Sea

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.com - better resolution and options to licence.

Aircraft Carrier Lower Block 04 Section Departs Govan

Another section of the Royal Navy aircraft carrier 'Queen Elizabeth' departed the BAE yard at Govan late this morning.

  Scheduled to depart on Monday of this week - the move was deferred until today.

Three of our Clyde Svitzer tugs - Ayton Cross, Svitzer Milford, and Anglegarth escorted and towed the barge - AMT Trader - carrying the section on it's journey to Rosyth in Fife.

When they arrived at Greenock two sea tugs - BB Troll and Carlo Magno - were waiting to take over the tow for the remainder of the journey.

This section is one of the largest modules housing two engines, a hospital, galley and 242 berths.

On arrival at Rosyth this section will be added to those already constructed and eventually the ship will be completed.

 Lower Block 04 Section Departing Govan

 Lower Block 04 Section Tugs Getting Ready at Govan

Lower Block 04 Section - Govan

Lower Block 04 Section Leaving Govan

Lower Block 04 Section with Supporting Tugs Depart Govan

Lower Block 04 Section with Ayton Cross at the Stern

Lower Block 04 Section Leaves Govan with a Large Audience

Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs at Erskine Bridge

 Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs at Erskine Bridge

 Svitzer Milford - Erskine Bridge

Anglegarth - Erskine Bridge

Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs Heading Downriver

Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs Passing Port Glasgow

 Lower Block 04 Section and Tugs Passing Port Glasgow

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.

Queen Elizabeth - Lower Block 03 - Move to Rosyth

The middle section of the hull of the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier heading downriver to began it's journey round the coast of Scotland to Rosyth.

Weighing 8,000 tonnes - and as tall as a block of flats - it left the BAE shipyard in Govan on the barge AMT Trader.

 Queen Elizabeth - Lower Block 03 Move - Erskine Bridge

 Queen Elizabeth - Lower Block 03 Move - Erskine Bridge

 Queen Elizabeth - Lower Block 03 Move - Passed Erskine Bridge

 Queen Elizabeth - Lower Block 03 - Off East India Harbour 

 Queen Elizabeth - Lower Block 03 Move Assisted by Anglegarth - Off East India Harbour 

 Queen Elizabeth - Lower Block 03 - Off East India Harbour

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.