Some History
RFA Sir Tristram L3505 is a Landing Ship Logistics of the Round Table class. She was launched in 1966, and accepted into British Army service in 1967.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
The Round Table Class, named after The Knights of the Round Table, was a British ship class designed for amphibious warfare missions in support of the main
amphibious warfare ships. Sir Tristram had bow doors leading onto the main vehicle deck, making it roll-on/roll-off, combined with ramps that led to
upper and lower vehicle decks. Thanks to its shallow draught, it could beach itself and use the bow doors for speedy unloading of troops and
equipment. The ship also had helicopter decks on both the upper vehicle deck and behind the superstructure.
Photos courtesy of Wikipedia
In April 1982 RFA Sir Tristram was diverted from Belize to the Falkland Islands to take part in the British effort to retake the Falkland Islands.
On 8 June that year, while transporting men and equipment, the ship was attacked by A-4 Skyhawks from the Argentine Air Force, each loaded with three 500 lb
Mark 82 bombs.
Photos courtesy of Wikipedia
At approximately 14:00 local time the decks were strafed and two crew were killed. A 500 lb bomb penetrated the deck, but failed to explode
immediately, allowing the remaining crew to be evacuated. Following the later explosion, Sir Tristram was abandoned.
Immediately following the end of the conflict, the ship was towed to Port Stanley, where she was used as an accommodation ship. Sir Tristram
then returned to the United Kingdom in 1983 on a heavy lift ship and was extensively rebuilt.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Following the rebuild, the ship re-entered active service in 1985, and saw service in the Gulf War, and the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s. The ship supported
relief operations for Hurricane Mitch off Central America, then in 2000 the ship was deployed to Sierra Leone in support of British operations there, followed
by a cruise to the Baltic Sea in support of Mine Counter Measure Vessels. Early 2001 saw Sir Tristram return to Sierra Leone to take over from Sir Percivale as
the ship supporting British forces ashore there. In 2003 the ship was deployed as part of the largest British fleet for 20 years in support of the invasion of Iraq.
Sir Tristram was decommissioned on 17 December 2005 and permanently moored in Portland Harbour, Dorset. She continues to be used for training purposes by
the Special Boat Service and other elements of UK Special Forces Group.
On a warm summers day in August 2014, me and a few friends visiting Dorset decided we were going to paddle out to this ship and see if we
could get on it. I had previously read a rumour post about Sir Tristram, and this sparked my interest. To this day I have never seen another post about
the ship, so either no one else has been on it, or they just haven't made a report.
I've stalled doing this report for years, out of laziness and perhaps a little disappointment that the pictures weren't as good as they could have been.
For an average camera phone with a poor light, and an LED Lenser, stashed in a dry bag in 2014, I suppose they were okay.
We took our two kayaks, rented for two hours from Chesil beach, and paddled toward the ship. It took around 40 minutes to get there.
This was, and still is, the most enjoyable adventure I've ever had.
You don't realise how huge the ship is until you get close to it.
No access through this rear door.
The ship has a permanent landing platform attached to the side. The gate on the stairs was easy to climb around. Getting aboard was no trouble.
The only issue was 40 minutes paddling there meant 40 minutes paddling back, so that meant we only had 40 minutes to wander around the ship.
This was not enough.
I returned to the ship a few weeks later on a kayak rented for half a day.
Front and rear of the ship. In the distance you can an active Navy ship. They are often moored in the harbor.
After doing this explore my brother, who was with me on the second trip, but decided to catch makeral rather than explore an old naval ship,
:
said that his colleague at his school was saying that the Special Boat Service will give you hell if they catch you on there. Something about
detaining you for so many hours/days under anti terrorism charges.
The rear of the ship with some kind of walkway. Perhaps for training to jump in the sea. It was pretty high. I should have jumped!
Cheesy titanic pic, but I couldn't resist.
Rear of the ship from the end of the platform.
Inside the ships control room. This was accessible on the first visit, but then sealed up on the second.
Despite some decay, the ship was in well maintained state.
Time for a wander.
The ship had four zones. Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green. Red appeared to be the above deck areas.
Dining areas, then the kitchen. The kitchen was all decked out in stainless steel, with zero windows or natural light, low ceilings, and a variety of
fryers, ovens, hobs, and microwaves. Combine that with the swaying motion of a ship at sea and I bet it was the worst place to be a chef.
After the kitchen areas I found the hallway after hallway of mostly empty rooms. I imagine these would have been the living accommodation.
Keys to all the unlocked doors.
All toilets and sinks filled with expanding foam.
See extremely polite British sign on the wall--
'This vacuum system is easily blocked. Only the arisings from bodily processes and the associated paperwork are to be deposited in this w.c/urinal.'
Part 2 pictures coming up...
RFA Sir Tristram L3505 is a Landing Ship Logistics of the Round Table class. She was launched in 1966, and accepted into British Army service in 1967.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
The Round Table Class, named after The Knights of the Round Table, was a British ship class designed for amphibious warfare missions in support of the main
amphibious warfare ships. Sir Tristram had bow doors leading onto the main vehicle deck, making it roll-on/roll-off, combined with ramps that led to
upper and lower vehicle decks. Thanks to its shallow draught, it could beach itself and use the bow doors for speedy unloading of troops and
equipment. The ship also had helicopter decks on both the upper vehicle deck and behind the superstructure.
Photos courtesy of Wikipedia
In April 1982 RFA Sir Tristram was diverted from Belize to the Falkland Islands to take part in the British effort to retake the Falkland Islands.
On 8 June that year, while transporting men and equipment, the ship was attacked by A-4 Skyhawks from the Argentine Air Force, each loaded with three 500 lb
Mark 82 bombs.
Photos courtesy of Wikipedia
At approximately 14:00 local time the decks were strafed and two crew were killed. A 500 lb bomb penetrated the deck, but failed to explode
immediately, allowing the remaining crew to be evacuated. Following the later explosion, Sir Tristram was abandoned.
Immediately following the end of the conflict, the ship was towed to Port Stanley, where she was used as an accommodation ship. Sir Tristram
then returned to the United Kingdom in 1983 on a heavy lift ship and was extensively rebuilt.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Following the rebuild, the ship re-entered active service in 1985, and saw service in the Gulf War, and the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s. The ship supported
relief operations for Hurricane Mitch off Central America, then in 2000 the ship was deployed to Sierra Leone in support of British operations there, followed
by a cruise to the Baltic Sea in support of Mine Counter Measure Vessels. Early 2001 saw Sir Tristram return to Sierra Leone to take over from Sir Percivale as
the ship supporting British forces ashore there. In 2003 the ship was deployed as part of the largest British fleet for 20 years in support of the invasion of Iraq.
Sir Tristram was decommissioned on 17 December 2005 and permanently moored in Portland Harbour, Dorset. She continues to be used for training purposes by
the Special Boat Service and other elements of UK Special Forces Group.
On a warm summers day in August 2014, me and a few friends visiting Dorset decided we were going to paddle out to this ship and see if we
could get on it. I had previously read a rumour post about Sir Tristram, and this sparked my interest. To this day I have never seen another post about
the ship, so either no one else has been on it, or they just haven't made a report.
I've stalled doing this report for years, out of laziness and perhaps a little disappointment that the pictures weren't as good as they could have been.
For an average camera phone with a poor light, and an LED Lenser, stashed in a dry bag in 2014, I suppose they were okay.
We took our two kayaks, rented for two hours from Chesil beach, and paddled toward the ship. It took around 40 minutes to get there.
This was, and still is, the most enjoyable adventure I've ever had.
You don't realise how huge the ship is until you get close to it.
No access through this rear door.
The ship has a permanent landing platform attached to the side. The gate on the stairs was easy to climb around. Getting aboard was no trouble.
The only issue was 40 minutes paddling there meant 40 minutes paddling back, so that meant we only had 40 minutes to wander around the ship.
This was not enough.
I returned to the ship a few weeks later on a kayak rented for half a day.
Front and rear of the ship. In the distance you can an active Navy ship. They are often moored in the harbor.
After doing this explore my brother, who was with me on the second trip, but decided to catch makeral rather than explore an old naval ship,
:said that his colleague at his school was saying that the Special Boat Service will give you hell if they catch you on there. Something about
detaining you for so many hours/days under anti terrorism charges.
The rear of the ship with some kind of walkway. Perhaps for training to jump in the sea. It was pretty high. I should have jumped!
Cheesy titanic pic, but I couldn't resist.
Rear of the ship from the end of the platform.
Inside the ships control room. This was accessible on the first visit, but then sealed up on the second.
Despite some decay, the ship was in well maintained state.
Time for a wander.
The ship had four zones. Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green. Red appeared to be the above deck areas.
Dining areas, then the kitchen. The kitchen was all decked out in stainless steel, with zero windows or natural light, low ceilings, and a variety of
fryers, ovens, hobs, and microwaves. Combine that with the swaying motion of a ship at sea and I bet it was the worst place to be a chef.
After the kitchen areas I found the hallway after hallway of mostly empty rooms. I imagine these would have been the living accommodation.
Keys to all the unlocked doors.
All toilets and sinks filled with expanding foam.
See extremely polite British sign on the wall--
'This vacuum system is easily blocked. Only the arisings from bodily processes and the associated paperwork are to be deposited in this w.c/urinal.'
Part 2 pictures coming up...
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