Author Archives: David Arkwright

HMS Sutherland floated out of the dry dock at Babcockplc Devonport this week as her approx 42-month LIFEX refit nears completion. She is the last T23 to receive Sea Ceptor and is the third to have PGMU (engine upgrade). Remedial work on the hull involved 700 steel inserts and 11,500 welding repairs.

On this day in 1942, Royal Navy launched its first midget submarine, X3 on the River Hamble. The X Craft were tested and operated from HMS VARBEL in Scotland and took part in numerous operations over WWII including the famous attack that crippled the German battleship Tirpitz.