Photos of the HMS Sceptre, the last of the Royal Navy’s Swiftsureclass of nuclear-powered subm
Photos of the HMS Sceptre, the last of the Royal Navy’s Swiftsureclass of nuclear-powered submarines, taken when she wasdecommissioned in 2010.1. Part of the Junior Rates’ bunk space, with bunks stacked in threes,each only 0.5cm high, and with just curtains for privacy. Thereweren’t enough bunks for the men, requiring “hot bunking” – twoor even three men using the same bunk in rotation, working shifts of6hrs on, 6hrs off.2. The Commanding Officer’s cabin. The CO was the only person to havehis own cabin, which also served as his office. It was near thesubmarine’s Control Room, so he could respond quickly when necessary.3. Junior Rates’ mess. The galley hatch, from which meals were served,is at the far end. There were two other mess spaces on board, onefor Senior Rates (NCOs), and the Wardroom for Officers.4. The galley, where four cooks and assistants produced fourfreshly-cooked meals a day.5. The Control Room – the submarine’s command centre – contained thesteering position, periscopes and navigation plotting table. Alsohere was the Tactical Systems Department, which used data from theSound Room and other sensors to ensure safe travel during peacetime,and for target information during wartime. The helmsman at thesteering position controlled the submarine’s course and depth, butnot speed.6. The Control Room, “rigged for red”. This happened only at night,dusk and dawn. A submarine is most vulnerable at periscope depth,and red light means the operator can react more quickly, as his eyesdon’t need to adjust to night conditions.7. The Sound Room. Using mostly passive sonar, radar, and other senses,the submarine can get a nearly 360-degree picture of the sea aroundit. Multiple objects, both above and below the surface, can also betracked.8. Weapons Stowage Compartment, also known as the “Bomb Shop”, wheremembers of the Weapons Engineering Department worked. The HMSSceptre had five torpedo tubes, and would have stowed 25torpedoes or long-range cruise missiles. Special Forces parties alsoslept here, and so did submariners-in-training who hadn’t yet earnedtheir “Dolphins,” the symbol of being a qualified submariner.9. The Manoeuvring Room, which contains the controls of the submarine’snuclear reactor. The throttle (centre right) is used to control theboat’s power and speed.10. Crew members of the HMS Sceptre. -- source link
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