The USS California, an American Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine, recently left HMNB Clyde near Glasgow after a routine logistics stop. We’ve got some drone footage…

The submarine was berthed at HMNB Clyde. The base is sited at Faslane in the west of Scotland not far from Glasgow, one of Britain’s largest cities.

The vessel arrived at Faslane on the 5th of October and left on th 11th of October.

The US Navy previously said that port visits like this “strengthen cooperation between the United States and United Kingdom”, and “demonstrate US capability, flexibility, and continuing commitment to NATO allies.”

The Virginia class is a class of nuclear-powered cruise missile-carrying fast-attack submarines. Designed by the General Dynamics Electric Boat and the Huntington Ingalls Industries, the Virginia class submarines are the US Navy’s primary undersea warfare platform incorporating stealth, intelligence gathering and comprehensive weapons systems technology.

It’s one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy, the others being HMNB Devonport and HMNB Portsmouth. It is best known as the home of Britain’s nuclear weapons, in the form of nuclear submarines armed with Trident missiles.

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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91 COMMENTS

        • I presume the SSN is somewhere else on the Clyde outbound, in which case there is no exclusion zone I’m aware of.

          There is a restricted zone further north around RNAD Coulport.

          • I know. I was going on the assumption the SSN as photographed was further south on the Clyde towards the sea, which is why I said Coulport was north.

            HMNB Faslane is on the Gare Loch and Coulport over the hill to its west.

            I’m well aware of where Coulport, Strone Camp, Clach Mackenny, Garelochhead OFD, Glen Mallen, Glen Douglas, and all the other sites there are.👍

          • Yes, George showed as such in an article here some years ago. The circle it showed centred on Coulport, with Faslane on its eastern edge.
            Which is why I said “There is a restricted zone further north around RNAD Coulport” it covers both sites.

            It may not cover where this photo was possibly taken? Do we know for sure where this photo was taken? I’d assumed south of Gare Loch.

          • For example, having just looked at GE, if this photo of said SSN was around Rhu or Rosneath, I recall that is already some way south of the restricted zone yet still on the Clyde.

          • Morning George.

            Ok thanks.
            Did not know that name but clear once looking at GE, west of Greenock, and even further south.
            I’d read once the KGB used to own homes in Kilcreggan on the opposite side to call subs in and out, don’t know the truth of that.

      • Why would you or anyone publicly put this information out in front of the world especially when we the world 🌎 are in a state of possible nuclear war why why

  2. Sadly, for the UK it looks more and more likely Scotland will get its independence as the political pressure grows and the UK Government makes crucial economic mistakes. This does nothing for warming the Scottish people to remain. Thus the thorny issue of nuclear subs and shipbuilding raises its ugly head once more. There is no chance of either moving to English soil within ten years and at what cost if it does?

    • With Cranky pulling the levers it won’t be long before the SNP implode. She is making promises just like Truss that she can’t keep.

      • Sturgeon is the last person who wants a referendum. She is the most able politician in the UK (not a complement) and she is playing a game between making her base think she is doing something about a referendum well not having a referendum. Everyone on here squawking about it just plays in to her game.

        The issue in here is too many are really English nationalists that want Scotland gone but don’t want to admit it, they drape themselves in the Union Jack when want they really want is a small George cross.

        Very few people in Scotland want a referendum at the moment. Polling is in the 20% range.

          • Yeah let’s see but everyone lawyer told her she won’t get anything so I will be surprised.

            Next year she will hold an opinion poll on holding a referendum.

          • Even if the SNP were to win in the Supreme Court they have already admitted the referendum has no teeth and is only a moral victory.

          • Never once said that. I said there are a lot of English nationalist that drape themselves in the Union Jack. That’s nothing like saying the SNP are the fault of the English.

        • Jim wrote:

          “”The issue in here is too many are really English nationalists that want Scotland gone but don’t want to admit it, they drape themselves in the Union Jack when want they really want is a small George cross.””

          I think you will find there are very few English nationalists, a lot less than Irish, Scottish and Welsh ones and thats taking into account the huge disparity in populations. Most people who identify as English , primarily do so at Footie , Rugby and Cricket.
          (Point to note, most English fans will support the home countries when they play a foreign team, the same cannot be said for the vast majority of Scottish or Welsh and I can state that from first hand experiance.)

          To us its just a label, to the rest of British nationalists its a badge of honour and who subscribe to this notion that they have been denied their spot of greatness across the world due to subjigation by the English, that if they can rid themselves of the English jackboot they will become great, its a common ploy used by nationalists everywhere who always target somebody as the reason for their poor lot or to excuse when things go wrong:

          Scotland/Welsh blame the English
          Ireland blames the UK
          (On Jan 31st Dublin offered an amnesty to all illigal migrants, in June it was revealed that illigal migration had gone through the roof with an 85% increase from the year before hitting 120k, instead of asking why? they simply blamed the Uk for that rise by pointing at the Rwanda deal, the thing is, that didnt become public until April. At a stroke they excused themselves for their fault.)
          South Africans blame the Whites
          Pakistan blames India
          Uganda/Kenya/Tanzania during the 60s and 70s blamed the Asians
          Catalans blame the Spanish
          Balochistan blames Paksitan
          Venezuela blames Columbia
          Iran blames, well everybody

          As for wanting Scotland gone, nah, Folks are just sick to death of hearing the SNP bang their little tin drum in which to peddle the lie that Scotland can only be a victim of the English whislt ignoring the fact that England was a piss pot country until it formed a union with Scotland who together with Wales became Great Britian and all three went forth and built an empire.

          Huge difference.

          • Bravo as always. As someone who campaigned for Brexit and has been labelled both a “nationalist” “racist” and “fascist” for it I met not one person who was and English nationalist, they were proudly British and like myself described themselves as such.

            I mention the B word because it is always linked with “nationalism” Just look at Andy Burnham and that Labour minister who complained about St Georges flags. I certainly hope none of those are incoming in the next Labour government.

            I worked with a Welsh lad, ex British army musician, who followed the Rugby with a passion and loathed the English, loathed them. Still lives here though. When I suggested we are all British and that should be something to be proud of he looked at me like I was a Martian.

          • Yet in the polling I shared shows half of Tory voters want English independence. Given the size of England relative to other parts of the country that probably means their are more people in favour of English independence than all those combined wanting Scottish, welsh or Irish.

          • I’ll have you know in a recent poll 41% of people thought polling was important, 68% thought it wasn’t and 11% expressed no opinion. 😁

          • Well, the 2020 article did meander somewhat, Jim e.g. it spoke of Conservative voters at one point and half the supporters of the Conservative Party at another. I don’t have access to the poll, but these entities are not necessarily the same. I and many others have voted Conservative, regularly but not exclusively, because I’m conservative; but no way would I ever be party to joining the Party (Whole difference discussion).
            Whatever, Tory voters are roughly 50% of the electorate at any set time, being generous. Which means a minority hold the independence view, unless otherwise proven. Same as you are saying for Scotland.
            The paper did highlight another article at the same time that said a majority of Scottish voters supported Independence. But that was specific and cannot now be credited.
            Rgs

        • U are correct with that assessment. Between my Scottish friends the independence talk never comes up. For some reason any English or non scottish people think it is some big issue and it’s not.

          • Much the same experience I have, no one in Scotland is talking about it outside of the press but every English friend I have it’s the first thing out of their mouths. Not surprising really extremist media right and left just want easy click bate and division. Everything from COVID to global warming is becoming much the same. Most people are under the impression the world will come to end next year some time from 1 tactical nuke, 1 degree of atmospheric warming or 1% on interest rates.

            I am sure Scotland may eventually have another referendum but I think it will be many decades if at all.

          • Hi folks, only time I hear about Scottish independence is the snp bumping there gums or on this site where it really gets heated at times,maybe if people stop going on about it all the time my head wouldn’t be thumping listening to the same shit all the time 👍

        • Sorry, don’t recognise the evidence for the sweeping statement in your second paragraph, Jim. Particularly stating the view is based upon people NOT admitting something whilst draped in the Union Flag – ?

          Since I’m always banging the democratic drum, I’d have to accept any majority Scottish wish to separate, though with Sadness (capital S).

          If anything, I’d think most are trying to come to terms with the constant SNP drumbeat in the belief that, if it is hammered home decade after decade, it’s going to occur sometime. On that premise, I think your last sentence in the first paragraph closer to the mark. But that’s up to others to discuss.

          At present, I gather that the SNP may soon find a resurgent Labour their most immediate concern?

      • Oh she’s way way worse. She’s Scotlands Eva Peron. The Scottish executive’s finances are heading for the economic cliff edge and their only hope is to blame HMG. Sadly for all concerned it may work.

    • Independence support is virtually where it was in 2014 and the SNP is no where near a majority, support for labour is growing both sides of the boarder.

      So what are you basing your assessment on?

      Honestly just stop going on and on about it all your doing is supporting sturgeon who is desperate to keep it in the news.

      Once the Tory’s are gone from downswing street support for the SNP will drop back to 40%.

      Rejoin the EU and it will drop back to mid 30’s.

      • Was just going to say similar. M often posts pure doom and gloom. It’s depressing to read.

        Also, way I see it the SNP are where they are due to Labour’s collapse 2010 on. With Labour’s revival I’d hope that is also the case in Scotland.

        I also believe the unionist vote is greater than the nationalist, no matter how many MSPs they have. The unionist vote is evenly split 3 ways while most nationalist vote goes SNP. Try counting it up in individual constituencies the SNP “won”

        Mandate my arse.

        I may be a Tory voter but bloody hell my nation comes first, and the sooner Labour get their vote back in Scotland the better!

        Long live the union.

        • Labour collapse in 2010 is the main reason the SNP ended up with a majority and it only happened one time. Sturgeon uses the Green vote to claim legitimacy for a referendum but its pretty clear in Scotland if you want independence at any cost vote SNP. That number has never crossed 50% since before the referendum.

          If people in Scotland or England or anywhere else want independence then they should be allowed to have it. Self determination is a basic right for any defined people. But it’s a once in a life time thing and you need a clear majority north of 60% to have it. It’s not. 5 year political tool to be used by any party to win an election.

        • Hi Daniele-same as you mate a Tory but disillusioned at present big time by how the current lot have stuffed things up! Labour has a big chance at a come back in Scotland and the other Unionist Parties need to assist in constituencies where the vote is split to prevent the Nats winning.

        • Doom and gloom! No Daniele but profetic yes. The World is not in a good place and most of my posts reflect the current mood. The SNP poses a significant upset if it achieves its goal and deserves debate. At the ballot box the realities may win through and the average Scott votes to retain the umbilical cord? If at the next General Election the SNP includes the referendum in the vote this could backfire as a ‘gun at the head tactic,’ which may not sit well with the silent majority? Another issue could be the state of the UK economy at the time, if as some predict nothing good will be evident by then, the SNP will have an uphill struggle in convincing the doubters. Doom and gloom forsooth!

          • To achieve its goal of Scottish independence the SNP needs to win 326 seats at the next general election and it’s only standing in 59.

      • Good posts James and agree with you entirely. Part of the problem is that many people in the UK on all sides of the borders have no really clear idea of what the United Kingdom is and what we ALL would stand to lose if it were to fail. The UK is not like the Soviet Union a 70 ish year old construct glued together largely by brute force and the EU in its present form only a few decades old. The trauma of leaving the EU would feel like nothing compared to the breakup up of the UK which can trace its origins back from over 400 years! Despite the best efforts of separatists the British are an integrated people from top to bottom in every field despite dozens of different variations throughout the Kingdom. Proper education needs to be reinstated in schools and a rational audit disseminated listing the balance sheet of Union vs Fragmentation. Think of internal borders(inevitable if the SNP seek a return to the EU) the duplication of Embassies, internal institutions, the Armed Forces all to what end? We can have institutions that allow us all to enjoy 2 or even 3 identities in the same family-look at the USA, current troubles notwithstanding!
        More on subject-protecting military movements and secrets in this modern era is becoming more difficult not to mention for example one really bad egg on the crew of one of His Majesty’s Submarines’!
        Scary stuff!
        Cheers from Durban

        • I agree, at the end of the day it’s one mid sized island, having a single government makes sense, much of the issue is a 300 year old uncodified constitution with much of the power and economic weight located at the extreme end of the island and much of the rest of the island overlooked.

          It can all be fixed but it means everyone having to change and give up something.

          Even if it breaks up now it will likely reform in a century or less because it makes sense to gave a common system of defence and government one you live on on mid sized island.

      • No, I don’t believe it is at 2014 level too many political storms have blown through Westminster since then, which could have enhanced the SNP grip on power. I disagree with burying your head in the sand over the ramification of independence on the UK’s defenses as they would be significant. Sturgeon’s recent comments about ‘detesting the Tories’ could also read as ‘detesting the English.’ Why do I think that because I’ve witnessed firsthand racism against me for simply being English whilst on holiday there? At the lying-in-state in Edinburgh, many indigenous Scots hadn’t realised just how much the Queen and her family were embedded into their country. and one observer believed the Crown to be a solely English establishment.

        Babcock intends to expand its Rosyth facility plus the Glasgow yards, further entrenching this industry into the Scottish economy. Any mention of withdrawing these activities on achieving independence would be highly unlikely, thus immediately rendering the previous threats by Westminster as hollow. Faslane could not be uprooted without horrendous costs and strategic compromise. That said, how a country of five million and possibly with two million people dependent on government aid can believe in going it alone does raise some concerns about its viability?

        • It does not matter what you believe only what you can prove. Polling has been pretty consistent since 2014 especially if you strip out COVID.

          • Believing is as good a predictor as opinion polls, which are notoriously wrong on a regular basis. All I’m saying judging by Westminster shenanigans since 2014 opinions in Scotland could have warmed toward home rule.

        • Who hasn’t had idiots going on about where your from, I’ve been scotch,jock, oh and I must drink a lot because I’m Scottish wipe your eyes and stop crying about it you do seem quite negative, maybe your attitude caused someone to have a pop at you?

          • I have had a lot of Scottish mates over the years but a refusal to talk to them because they are Scottish, no. Yes, they’ve taken a lot of stick but it’s usually good banter and not riddled with deep routed hate, which is what I experienced. I sincerely hope Scotland remains in the UK but the UK Government has genuine concerns about the possibility of separation. Your observations about my attitude are both misguided and rude.

          • My apologies if you think I was being rude but I’m sure you said about being racially abused before, any time there is something about Scotland certain peeps pop up moaning about Scotland, you don’t just go on about the shitty SNP you go further about its people so I assume you have an issue with us? Also saying you hate Tories does not mean you hate England, I hate the snp but I don’t hate Scotland I’m not fond of the Tories at the moment doesn’t mean I hate England far from it, so again apologies but you don’t have a clue what’s going on up here, more chance England and France talking about being the same country than us signing off as being British 👍

          • My fondness for Scotland includes a wife from the Highlands. Of cause, most Scots are great people but certain individuals in responsible social positions should not practice blatant racism against a fellow Brit and should know better. A Scottish friend has observed a growing resentment toward Westminster, which I might add I understand but such mood swings can lead to change. Thanks, Cj.

          • Hi Maurice10 thanks for the reply, I think both the Tories and labour have been at fault that is why the snp have been doing well with votes, the one thing I would say is people vote SNP up here for day to day life because there is no one else to vote for lately but when it’s for independence it’s a different way of thinking, I’m hoping labour push on a bit up here then we can all stop with the independence malarkey, I’m in a minority I think there should be debates on not having Scotland, England, Wales, anymore but just great Britain, no more divides or hassle but I know I’m way off compared to others thanks, ps the guy who gave you grief sounds like a real dick 👍

          • The main concern I have is affordability. With a population of just five million, the SNP has to make contingencies that cover a multitude of economic challenges to ensure that the burdens of the state don’t end up disproportionately being paid for by the people. I doubt many Scots realise just what could be lost economically if only in the short term. The current devolvement appears to be working democratically so maybe the status quo will remain in the future.

    • You need to keep up, it is NOT within the powers of the snp to “get its independence” for Scotland. Further, for good measure, there is nothing “ugly” about “nuclear subs and shipbuilding”.
      Needs must, an eye for an eye, time to stiffen the backbone!

      • If not the SNP then who? Which other political party could attain such a goal? By the way, if the Supreme Court vote to allow the SNP to make the call they will have sanction.

  3. Are convo’s taking place that are not trusted over telephonic/electronic systems? There’s a lot of activity taking place with different navies at the mo’

    • These visits have always occurred.

      However, the frequency of them has increased.

      This is not surprising as there is quite a large war on at the edge of Europe which needs to be contained.

      And even less surprising when oil pipelines start blowing up and mysterious drones are scoping out oil platforms.

      Yes, UK and EU were dozing for a while at Putin’s threat level. Fortunately UK got real just in time and started banging on doors which, just, stopped Mad Vlad’s parade into to Kiev.

      Make no mistake about it there will have been overt and covert warnings to Russia to stop messing in various places with their subs.

    • More like corkscrew (v good at inducing vomit to the unwary)when its very rough, but yes up until then they have a pronounced roll due to the hull shape.

    • I believe on the surface a sub is not a nice place to be for movement. Under the water I think it doesn’t move about.

  6. Time for the RN to park some drone shooters along the Clyde. Seems reasonable to me. National boundary extends 12 miles by my understanding.

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