HMS Invincible arrives

[DarrenL]

Its amazing what the Americans have preserved of their historic sea power. At least one example of each of their WW2 battleship designs, including three out of the four Iowa-class ships ( the Iowa herself remains ready to be donated to a museum ), Liberty ships, submarines, LSTs... I wish I had the money and time to do a tour of them all.

Along with the old Ark Royal (R09) and possibly one of Victorious/Indefatigable or even HMS Furious carriers we could/should have saved any of the following but didn't.

HMS Dreadnought (obvious reasons) scrapped in 1921
HMS Warspite (most famous) - scrapped 1950
HMS Vanguard (the last) - scrapped 1960

Vanguard not going without a fight.

[Chris Trott]

I'm personally partial to the Lady Lex - http://www.usslexington.com/

Gotta get back to her soon. Some of my first memories of being to a big museum were Lady Lex, the USS Texas (last Super Dreadnaught still in existence), and "SeaWolf Park"

[Garry Russell]

Nice shots Darren

When you see it like that, especially in aerial shots, you get a good idea just how big she is.

[DaveB]

Nice shots of Vanguard Darren DelP's Dad served onboard that fine looking lady

ATB
DaveB

[gordon-in-aberdeen]

I would have appreciated it if Warspite was preserved. My granddad served on her during the second world war from her Italian campaign till he was demobed at the end of the war.

[John]

HMS Vanguard (the last) - scrapped 1960
Vanguard not going without a fight.

What a co-incidence. Somewhere in those pictures on HMS Vanguard is Lawrence, William (Bill) Pemberton who was on that last trip, sadly I've just learned that Bill, my Uncle, passed away today. A sailor to the end. RIP Bill.

Kind regards

John

[DaveB]

A very sad coincidence John

My sincere condolences at your loss..

ATB
DaveB

[FlyTexas]

Deepest condolences John.

Brian

[John]

Many thanks guys

JR

[airboatr]

Hi John

I too had a unlce named Bill who passed away recently.
Served in the USN when he was young. He was one of those tough types who had the face to boot.
Look like sargent rock with his protruding cleft chin and ice blue eyes.
When I was forteen I spent the summer on his farm learning what work was. Tending the chickens and rabbits that he raised to feed his family of eight. His garden was as big as a city block which provided all the vegtables for them, as well as a cornucopia of weeds that neded to be pulled.
He would take me along with him to work where I learned the electrical trade as well as plumbing and carpentry. I' always look back to that summer with a sense of gratitude ... and an bit of wince ......
you see sometimes he would punch me in my shoulder and say that's for nothing ; wait till you do something to deserve it.
I doubt that has any relevance to your uncle Bill. But your comment that your uncle worked to the end at doing what he loved reminded me of mine. He woke on a wednesday preparing for the days task and died before the sun had set.

Sorry to hear of your loss mate.