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Old 11th Jan 2009, 16:53
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microlight AV8R
 
Join Date: May 2006
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Cods-wollop !

Real battle ? Shirley thou dost jest !
The modern Royal Navy does not engage its opponents by ramming. That went out in the days of muskets.
I can recall a damaged frigate coming into the Tyne after being rammed by one of the Icelandic gunboats. Big hand to the lads onboard for their superb repairs made at sea. That was a Rothsay or Whitby class ASW type.
The truth is as previously said.. The usual hands (4.5in)tied scenario with very lightly skinned frigates against very heavily built trawler hulls. No contest if ramming.
The best the RN could do was race to get between the Icelandic gunboats and our trawlers to protect them. I seem to recall 'Odin' and 'Thor' being particularly notorious.
It was nasty and unfortunate as there ought not to be any quarrel between our countries. I for one, wanted to see an example made of the Odin, but in retrospect I feel that the Icelanders had a point about conserving stocks. They were ahead of their time it seems.
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