HMS Richmond undergoes Major Refit

On the 17th November The Prime Warden, Ronald D. Bartle M.A., and Past Prime Warden Norman E. Woolley were invited to Portsmouth Royal Naval Dockyard to see the progress on the major refit taking place on board HMS Richmond, our Royal Naval affiliation. Accompanied by visitors from two other affiliations to HMS Richmond, the London Nautical School and Richmond-upon-Thames Council, they enjoyed an extensive conducted tour around the massive dry dock and throughout the Ship, visiting large cavernous empty areas where galley and ward rooms were being reconstructed, and other areas awaiting the installation of new equipment. Many additions being made necessitated holes being cut through the decks, and the hull in order to install new updated equipment making the Ship difficult to recognise. In addition certain areas were encased in a great deal of scaffolding. To see the underside of the Ship and the size of the dock where she is having all the work undertaken was an amazing experience; some idea is given from the photo of our group, with the view from this vantage point at the bow being a unique experience.

Before the tour we had a presentation of the work involved, HMS Richmond being the first Royal Navy Ship for 15 years to have a major refit in Portsmouth dockyard, the work being carried out by Fleet Support Limited. There followed a safety brief, and after the tour, that evening we were entertained to an excellent dinner in the Royal Naval Club. The crew are due to return on board in April and the Ship to be back in Fleet service after sea trials in late September.