Photos show HMS Glasgow, the first of eight Type 26 Frigates, being moved from land onto a submersible barge before being floated off downriver.

BAE Systems say that over the coming days, the ship, currently weighing nearly 6,000 tonnes, will undertake a series of complex manoeuvres that will move her from BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard, onto a barge before being towed downriver to a deep-water location in the West of Scotland and lowered into the water. The frigate will then be brought back upriver to Scotstoun to continue fitting out.

Not quite a conventional launch, but a launch nonetheless.

“Once in position, the float off will involve the base of the barge being slowly submerged over a number of hours until HMS GLASGOW fully enters the water. She will then return to BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard further along the Clyde, where she will undergo the next stages of outfit before test and commissioning.”

I went to gather photos of the first part of the move before having to leave to head elsewhere for personal reasons but don’t worry, I’ll return soon to collect more imagery and video once the ship is fully secured to the barge.

Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence, said:

“HMS GLASGOW entering the water for the first time marks a major milestone for the Type 26 programme which supports thousands of highly skilled jobs in Scotland and more across the wider UK supply chain. We’re continuing to invest in the British shipbuilding industry to maintain the Royal Navy’s cutting-edge ability to defend our nation, while strengthening our partnership with allies.”

David Shepherd, Type 26 Programme Director, BAE Systems, said:

“Seeing HMS GLASGOW in the water for the first time will be a proud and exciting moment for the thousands of people involved in this great endeavour. She will soon transfer to our Scotstoun yard in Glasgow where we look forward to installing her complex systems and bringing her to life.”

For those wondering how they moved the ship, little wheeled vehicles under the vessel shown below.

The submersible barge was tested last month ahead of the upcoming launch of the new warship.

Frigate carrying submersible barge tested in Glasgow

According to Malin Group, the barge will initially be used to transport and ‘launch’ the Type 26 Frigates being built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy and then berthed on the Clyde and made available to industry as required, “catalysing further opportunities for the wider supply chain in fields including shipbuilding, civil construction and renewable energy”.

I went along to watch the barge arrive. Here’s the video.

John MacSween, Managing Director of the Malin Group, said:

Securing this piece of equipment marks another positive step forward in the reawakening of the shipping and large-scale marine manufacturing industry in Scotland.  This versatile asset, based on the West Coast of Scotland, can be used for launching and bringing ships ashore, docking vessels locally or at remote locations as well as being used to relocate large structures around the UK and further afield.

We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with the internationally renowned tug and barge owner specialists Augustea, as well as work with Hat-San who are bringing years of shipbuilding experience to the conversion. We are also extremely grateful for the support we have had from Scottish Enterprise in making this project a reality.”

The barge is a joint venture between the Malin Abram and Augustea and, now modified, represents one of the largest in Europe – it can submerge to load vessels and cargo with draughts of up to 12m and over 137m in length.

It will be based on the Clyde between projects.

Avatar photo
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
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

90 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Trevor G
Trevor G
1 year ago

These are going to be good looking ships (MRINA Rtd)

tdoc
tdoc
1 year ago
Reply to  Trevor G

They look epic 👍

Bulkhead
Bulkhead
1 year ago

I take it, it’s too shallow to use the ramp that’s there😎

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  Bulkhead

I don’t think it’s to shallow. Did the type 45 launch down the ramp?
It’s probably more controlled launch using barge. The river isn’t that wide either so probably just in case. These are guesses really

Dan
Dan
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

The T45 ships did launch down the slipway, I believe.

Gareth
Gareth
1 year ago
Reply to  Dan

They did. The fun part was ensuring they stopped before running into the quay on the opposite bank of the river.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  Bulkhead

Puts a lot of unnecessary stress on a ship launching it like that.

Ideally in precision environment you want the thing built on a level base. Many shipbuilders will tell you of the mistakes the unwary made aided by a common spirit level……

Longtime
Longtime
1 year ago

And I feel their pain, number of times I’ve watched an apprentice use a spirit level on a mobile unit Is astounding, knowing it’s just cost hours or days to fix is then mildly infuriating/depressing. If my apprentice tried to use one it got sledgehammered!!!
Other major annoyance is fitters welding onto steel conduits filled with cables and melting through the looms.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
1 year ago
Reply to  Longtime

Ah, yes the old steel conduit trick….that really annoyed me when you had a section tested out and some clot trashed it. Pointless extra work caused, usually, by pure laziness

Geoff Roach
Geoff Roach
1 year ago

Now George, before our SNP friends arrive, are you sure it’s the first of eight and not five or three and it is on the Clyde.😉.A powerful, good looking ship.

Jon
Jon
1 year ago
Reply to  Geoff Roach

You can’t ask him to risk life and limb by stating the obvious that way. Real manufacturing jobs in Scotland are far too contentious!

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago
Reply to  Jon

They will probably claim that the video is clearly showing a scene on the Isle of White or even worse Spain where we all know the Supply ships are being designed, built and operated with Spanish crews out of Cadiz.

Last edited 1 year ago by Spyinthesky
Ken
Ken
1 year ago
Reply to  Spyinthesky

That’s the advantage of the barge. They can sail it to Spain for future RN shipbuilding.

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  Geoff Roach

It’s only one ship. Everyone’s talking nonsense. 13 were promised not 1😂😂😂

Geoff Roach
Geoff Roach
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

Ah…so you say, but 13 is an unlucky number so 🙃

David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

And where are the guns and missiles ? Where’s the radar ? It’s a disgrace.

Sean
Sean
1 year ago
Reply to  David Steeper

Where’s the superfiring 15” gun turrets? Only useful for constabulary duties 😉😆

Jon
Jon
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

Unlike Canadian constabulary OPVs, it isn’t even ice-strengthened, yet when the Gulf stream dies, Scotland will have the same climate as Labrador. Why, oh why won’t the MOD think ahead!

Sean
Sean
1 year ago
Reply to  Jon

Except by that stage due to the general warming of the planet, the South of England will have a tropical climate and Scotland will even be warm enough to be habitable by then 😆

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Jon

A tip of the cap for successful multi- targeting. 😉

Frank62
Frank62
1 year ago
Reply to  Sean

The 57mm BAE Bofors on the new T31 is a great system with many uses, just too light for a frigate main gun IMO c.f. the 4.5 or 5″. For surface work(ship to ship or NGS) the weight of shell hitting is hugely different. Just c.6lb for 57mm c.f. 46lb for the 4.5″ or 70lb for the 5″.

Sean
Sean
1 year ago
Reply to  Frank62

Well both the RN and USN have chosen it for their newest frigates, partly I suspect for the versatility in the range of munitions it can fire.
(I think if ships are firing guns at each then both sides have clearly cocked-up badly…)

As for NGS, I think even the Americans have abandoned that concept for the time-being after the Zumwalt experience. Land attack will be the preserve of missiles until rail-guns become a reality.

Brian
Brian
1 year ago
Reply to  Geoff Roach

Yes it is the first of eight and it is Clyde built

Geoff Roach
Geoff Roach
1 year ago
Reply to  Brian

I think you might have missed the joke there Brian.

Paul.P
Paul.P
1 year ago

Handsome ship 👏

PaulW
PaulW
1 year ago

So how did they get the ship on the barge? The ship was on the land, and the barge is in the water. Did someone just give it a shove!

Coll
Coll
1 year ago
Reply to  PaulW

You can see the ship mover underneath it.

Expat
Expat
1 year ago
Reply to  PaulW

Like this, show how they move blocks for the QE build same principle.

https://youtu.be/m-6z6c1A4pI

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago
Reply to  Expat

Similar vehicles to those used by SpaceX by the look of it.

farouk
farouk
1 year ago

Now all thats needed is this soundtrack

David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago
Reply to  farouk

F.A.B.

JockTheKipper
JockTheKipper
1 year ago

Will be refreshing my screen every ten minutes to make sure I don’t miss it bob-bob-bobbing downstream. (I hope they remember the Erskine Bridge this time!)

David Lloyd
David Lloyd
1 year ago

That is one handsome ship. However I wish that the RN’s premier anti-submarine frigate would also be armed with Stingray torpedo tubes – as well as her Merlin with 4xStingray.

Let’s hope that the delicate barging operation proceeds ithout a hitch

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago
Reply to  David Lloyd

I’m sure Farouk will have a Thunderbird rescue video handy if not 🙏

Ryan Brewis
Ryan Brewis
1 year ago
Reply to  David Lloyd

Range is only 8 or 10km. Heavyweight torpedoes are outranging that by 4 or 5 times. Helicopters are better than ship launched for sub hunting, VLS is probably next best but afaik only Japan currently has a vertical launched ASW torp and I don’t think we’ll be getting them anytime soon.

AlexS
AlexS
1 year ago
Reply to  Ryan Brewis

If helicopters are better then they should have a 2 helicopter hangar.

Jim
Jim
1 year ago
Reply to  David Lloyd

I think we will be looking for something much longer range than a deck mounted stingray. ASROC with stingray mounting in the mk41 atleast.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim

Or perhaps, Stingray’s successor, which has been surfaced (😉) on occasion? 🤔

Ian M.
Ian M.
1 year ago

So, the moving equipment is visible under the ship, I understand that engineering. My question is: Does that “mover get submerged with the barge, or is the ship secured onto the framework visible and the mover driven back onto land?
cheers

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Hey that was my question 😂😂

Spyinthesky
Spyinthesky
1 year ago
Reply to  Monkey spanker

I think once the ship and its frame is secured on the track like support structure on the barge it can be hydraulically lowered enough to be withdrawn. Indeed you can see the process in Expat’s video.

Last edited 1 year ago by Spyinthesky
Robin Milford
Robin Milford
1 year ago
Reply to  Ian M.

The ship with its supports will be lowered onto the supporting framework on the barge, the movers driven off back onto the quay, then the ship supports will be temporarily welded to the barge framework for the trip down the Clyde.

Ian M
Ian M
1 year ago
Reply to  Robin Milford

Cheers Robin

Bringer of Facts
Bringer of Facts
1 year ago

Good to see her on her way to launch, wondering how long it will be until we see HMS Cardiff there.

Ianb
Ianb
1 year ago

You can see some of it through those big doors.

Barry Larking
Barry Larking
1 year ago

No amount of reality will penetrate the minds made up about the ‘lies’.

Congratulations to all the workforce and keep them coming! ‘Made on the Clyde‘ indeed!

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

So this one is being rolled out, they have already started on the next type 26?

Bringer of Facts
Bringer of Facts
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

Work started on HMS Cardiff in August 2019, and HMS Belfast in June 2021

Rowan
Rowan
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

Two others have been under construction since 2019 and 2020 respectively, due to COVID-19 I’d imagine they’re behind schedule a little. However, hopefully after the completion of Glasgow construction time will start reducing up until eventually we should be getting them every 2 years.

Thomas Afred Came
Thomas Afred Came
1 year ago
Reply to  Rowan

then the batch 2 every 1.5 years

Steven Alfred Rake
Steven Alfred Rake
1 year ago

She will have to go into dry dock to fit the Bow mounted sonar. A good sign of things to come and now there is no reason now why her sisters cannot be launched on a regular drum beat of about 5 years per vessel.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago

😳😳😁

David
David
1 year ago

Why is the forward part of the underwater hull painted red and the aft portion black? Have they simply not got round to putting on the last coat in full? Surely easier to do before the ship is launched….. or whatever the right term is these days.

David Steeper
David Steeper
1 year ago
Reply to  David

The bloke promised to turn up on wednesday to finish but his transit broke down and then he had a rush job in Swindon. So he’ll be round Tuesday definite. Maybe. 😁

Last edited 1 year ago by David Steeper
Paul T
Paul T
1 year ago
Reply to  David

The Black parts are Anachoic (?) Tiles, the same as what is fitted to our Submarines to reduce radiated noise from the Machinery spaces.

David
David
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul T

Is that new? Don’t think I have seen it on previous AS frigates.

Paul T
Paul T
1 year ago
Reply to  David

AFAIK it is a new thing, Type 23’s never had it.

Frank62
Frank62
1 year ago
Reply to  David

Well spotted David. I’d not noticed that. Paul T may have the answer.

Nicholas
Nicholas
1 year ago

I bet blood pressures were a bit high whilst all the moving was going on.

OOA
OOA
1 year ago
Reply to  Nicholas

I once had the SBMTs (crawler vehicles) conk out when a rather expensive module was only half way on a barge on the Tyne. We bought time to sort it out by using the barge ballast system to keep everything level despite a rising tide but it was twitchy-bum time!

Frank62
Frank62
1 year ago
Reply to  OOA

The first ship launch at my old yard(down the slipay, old school), the tugs both snapped their lines & in high wind the tanker crashed into a trawler moored on alongside here we were supposed to be repairing! Happy days!

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Frank62

Please, you gotta finish this one–trawler sink? Anyone flogged? Praise and promotion for those judged to be at fault? 😳

Frank62
Frank62
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

The trawler survived, just got a dent in the stern, probably broken welds internally. Only hit at 1 or 2 knots. It stopped the tanker (high in the water at launch weight, strong westerly wind blowing right down the harbour) & the inept tugs finally got tow lines back on board. I never heard of any repercussions. The tugboat skippers presumably got a rollicking. After launch the tanker sat across the harbour square to the wind, which blew her down harbour-Upstream tug skipper goes “oh no, I’d better stop that!” & instead of manouvering gently to take up the strain(from… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by Frank62
FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Frank62

Priceless! Today tere would be at least a dozen cellphone videos to memorialize event. 😳😁

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

…there…

Frank62
Frank62
1 year ago
Reply to  FormerUSAF

Undoubtedly. It was c.Feb 1989 I think.

Last edited 1 year ago by Frank62
Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago

I hope they make a speeded up video of it going from the land to the barge when it’s finished.

Steve D
Steve D
1 year ago

It’s a pretty neat process. I’ve attached a video of how Canada’s AOPV class of ships are launched from the Irving Shipyard in Halifax using the same technique. This one is from the first of class, HMCS Harry DeWolf, in 2018. There have been two others since, and the fourth is scheduled for this weekend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jP5f7z-SMA

geoff
geoff
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve D

HMCS Harry DeWolf? No disrespect to our Canadian cousins but that is a funny name for a ship.

Jim
Jim
1 year ago
Reply to  geoff

He is a famous naval commander from ww2. Remember many Canadians are French ancestry so DeWolf rather than Wolf.

geoff
geoff
1 year ago
Reply to  Jim

Thanks for info Jim. And of course we shouldn’t mention General James Wolfe!!

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  geoff

Well, at least it isn’t Hairy Wolf. 🙄

ABCRodney
ABCRodney
1 year ago

I know there are some very knowledgable folks in this group so can someone kindly explain why it hasn’t been welded together on the Slipway and launched the old fashioned way.
This shipyard launched a T45 on that very same slipway and when it was Fairfield’s managed HMS Howe, so why go for what looks like a very awkward and convoluted process.
Just asking ?

Armchair Admiral
Armchair Admiral
1 year ago
Reply to  ABCRodney

Control. Less strain on the ship, the modern way to launch. Those multi wheeled carts are just incredible.
I rather think you can calculate all you want but at the moment the chocks are bashed out and the ship rolls down the slipway, it’s in the lap of the gods…
Look what happened to The Great Eastern,
AA

Esteban
Esteban
1 year ago

Because there will be no strain on the hallway when it goes into the North Atlantic.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Esteban

Fair point, but the Exchecquer’s check should have cleared by that point.

C.hollywood
C.hollywood
1 year ago

Thank you gor posting this information. When does it sail down the river past Bowling. Would love to see it

Davy H
Davy H
1 year ago

Drat! I’m going away for a few days to Newcastle and think I’m going to miss her being transported down the Clyde.

David Barry
David Barry
1 year ago

Just home from work, I think a beer is in order and not to England, but, HMS Glasgow. Congratulations young lady!

John Pattullo
John Pattullo
1 year ago

How they install the bow sonar after it’s launched?

Paul T
Paul T
1 year ago
Reply to  John Pattullo

In a period of Dry Docking.

John Pattullo
John Pattullo
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul T

Seems redundant when it’s already out of the water

DMJ
DMJ
1 year ago
Reply to  John Pattullo

Not if you look at the ground clearance in the photos above

BigH1979
BigH1979
1 year ago

I imagine our Australian and Canadian cousins will be interested to see this latest milestone. Also perhaps the USN?? 🤞🤞. Lets hope she doesn’t do something embarrassing like sink 😂😂😂

Monkey spanker
Monkey spanker
1 year ago
Reply to  BigH1979

Have the Australians started building there Franken-frigates yet? Only joking I hope the design modifications work out for them.
I really hope Canada gets the frigates it needs. The way the costs were put together makes them look super expensive. I don’t think Canada has anytime to cancel. It’s ships need replaced. It’s subs are getting a bit long in the tooth as well.
Perhaps they could join up for the T83 program.

Jon
Jon
1 year ago

Off topic a bit, but does anyone know when they are cutting first steel on Bulldog, the second T31?

Watcherzero
Watcherzero
1 year ago

Do we have any expected dates for the 2022 Integrated Defence Review update to the 2021 Review? With the news the Japan-Tempest deal is expected to be signed in December im half expecting they will co-ordinate to the same day.

Jon
Jon
1 year ago
Reply to  Watcherzero

David Williams, the Permanent Secretary told the Public Accounts Committee “I would expect the report in the first part of 2023”.

Last edited 1 year ago by Jon
FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
1 year ago
Reply to  Watcherzero

Originally requested to be completed by year end, but deferred until “first part of 2023.”
Suspect delay due to large number of pieces on chessboard and Mad Vlad’s opening gambit, serious consideration is being given to next moves.

DaveyB
DaveyB
1 year ago

Not to be a scenic or anything. But why all the faff? How come the ship isn’t built in a covered dry dock? Why get it rica watertight stage then send it to Scotstoun for fitting out? I know the answers are due to politics! BAe wanted the Government to pay for the dockyard upgrade and refurbishment: But were told to do one. Scotstoun was kept open to keep everyone in Glasgow happy. Yet we see what could have been done, by seeing what Babcock are doing at Rosyth. What a wasted opportunity. OK rant over. Well done everyone for… Read more »