All is expectation as DIAMOND awaits her moment of glory at the Govan shipyard in Glasgow (Photo: Gary Lucas)

HMS DIAMOND launch - in pictures and video
The weather was dull but the excitement dispelled the gloom as the latest Type 45 wowed the crowds on the River Clyde...



 

It was a textbook launch today, 27 November 2007. As thousands looked on, both inside and outside the yard, the latest Type 45 destroyer, HMS DIAMOND, behaved impeccably as she slid down the Govan shipyard slip into a grey River Clyde.

The weather was abysmal, (or 'dreich' as they say in Scotland) but that did not dampen the cheers of the crowds, numbering in their thousands, including three thousand lucky schoolchildren, as the latest warship for the Royal Navy took to her natural element.

Baroness Taylor, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support said:

"The new Type 45 Destroyers - such as Diamond - will be the most powerful destroyers ever built for the Royal Navy.

"We are in the middle of the biggest shipbuilding programme for the Royal Navy in decades and today's launch of Diamond demonstrates the scale of that investment.

"This is an important day for the Govan shipyard, the Royal Navy, and indeed the UK, and is a tribute to the hard work of everyone involved in this project.

"I look forward to following Diamond's progress through her sea trials."

The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Jonathan Band, said:

"The Type 45 destroyers will be powerful and versatile ships, capable of undertaking a wide range of military tasks. They are based on first-class innovation and engineering, which will set new standards in air defence and will ensure that the Royal Navy remains at the forefront of the world's navies.

"Today confirms the excellent progress we are making on the Type 45 programme."

As well as providing air defence over a wide area, including for the future aircraft carrier, the Type 45 will be able to conduct a wide variety of other operations. They will be able to carry up to 60 Royal Marines Commandos and
their equipment, support Special Forces operations, and operate a Chinook sized helicopter from the flight deck. The size of the ship will also allow accommodation standards to be better than in previous classes.

Diamond was named and launched by the Lady Sponsor Mrs Suzie Johns, wife of Vice Admiral Adrian Johns CBE, the Navy's Second Sea Lord. The event was followed by an aerial search and rescue display by a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter and a firework display.

Three Shipping Times readers, Gary Lucas, Stuart Cameron and Barry Watson, all from Clydeside and members of the Clydeshipping.co.uk community website, had a grandstand view of the launch today from high flats across the river and in the shipyard itself and have given kind permission for Shipping Times to present this pictorial record of the launch.



Umbrellas needed, but nothing could dampen the excitement of the crowd as they await the great moment. This photo shows the sleek lines of the Type 45. (Photo: Stuart Cameron)




And in she goes, to cheers from the crowds, the third of the six Type 45s being built on the banks of the Clyde (Photo: Gary Lucas)


After a perfect launch, the tugs and workboats begin their post launch tasks. The bow section of the next Type 45, HMS DRAGON, appears to watch in anticipation of the future! (Photo: Barry Watson)



Fireworks now as the tugs move in. (Photo Gary Lucas)

And finally, for the benefit of all who could not make it to Glasgow, here is a video of the launch shot by Gary Lucas: