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U.K. Nuclear accidents and incidents

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Old 9th Jun 2023, 12:15
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My association with boats finished with the Swiftsure Class, I could not comment on later models. However, I would have though that flood alarms may have triggered and the change in trim might have been remarked upon.
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Old 9th Jun 2023, 12:49
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Originally Posted by Ninthace
My association with boats finished with the Swiftsure Class, I could not comment on later models. However, I would have though that flood alarms may have triggered and the change in trim might have been remarked upon.
Definitely the case with the flood alarms for Vanguard class. The Reactor compartment was very big and if the whole compartment was flooded I dont know if we'd have been able to get back on the roof again… been in a few times for lead stripping and cleaning alongside.
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Old 9th Jun 2023, 15:14
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Originally Posted by Ninthace
My association with boats finished with the Swiftsure Class, I could not comment on later models. However, I would have though that flood alarms may have triggered and the change in trim might have been remarked upon.

Are the windows he is talking about the four circles within the larger circle at the farther end of the tunnel from the photographer ? I've never been on a V and it is a long time since I've been on an S/T but I do vaguely recall a place where you could peer down from within the tunnel.

Isn't the reactor compartment roughly at centre of gravity/boyancy ? and if so trim wouldn't really notice ?

Bouyancy depends on volume .... and most of the space is filled by the kettle and the plumbing, so the mass of additional water might not be that large. If the dit is true then obviously it wasn't too great.
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Old 9th Jun 2023, 15:37
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Originally Posted by petit plateau
Are the windows he is talking about the four circles within the larger circle at the farther end of the tunnel from the photographer ? I've never been on a V and it is a long time since I've been on an S/T but I do vaguely recall a place where you could peer down from within the tunnel.
No. Photo is an S boat but looks very similar to the V's I was on. See the circle at the bottom of the pic closest to the photographer, see the metal handle on it? That's a hatch that can be pulled up to reveal a thick glass pane underneath. That's right on top of the reactor so you look directly down on it… Well the RPV anyway.
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Old 9th Jun 2023, 15:47
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Originally Posted by petit plateau
Are the windows he is talking about the four circles within the larger circle at the farther end of the tunnel from the photographer ? I've never been on a V and it is a long time since I've been on an S/T but I do vaguely recall a place where you could peer down from within the tunnel.

Isn't the reactor compartment roughly at centre of gravity/boyancy ? and if so trim wouldn't really notice ?

Bouyancy depends on volume .... and most of the space is filled by the kettle and the plumbing, so the mass of additional water might not be that large. If the dit is true then obviously it wasn't too great.
There is still a lot of empty space and buoyancy depends on mass of water displaced. A "full" reactor compartment would weigh a fair bit and would probably move the Cof G in respect of the centre of lift. There are also an awful lot of electrics in that compartment.

Last edited by Ninthace; 9th Jun 2023 at 18:13. Reason: Sp
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Old 9th Jun 2023, 18:08
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Originally Posted by Chrisbowe82
No. Photo is an S boat but looks very similar to the V's I was on. See the circle at the bottom of the pic closest to the photographer, see the metal handle on it? That's a hatch that can be pulled up to reveal a thick glass pane underneath. That's right on top of the reactor so you look directly down on it… Well the RPV anyway.
Thanks - I can remember looking through it, but not the exact location.
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Old 9th Jun 2023, 19:07
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The photo is one of an IWM collection of 54 of HMS Sceptre 'at decommissioning' should anyone be interested.

ROYAL NAVY SUBMARINES OF THE COLD WAR: HMS SCEPTRE AT DECOMMISSIONING, NOVEMBER 2010
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Old 9th Jun 2023, 20:11
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Very much what I learnt after the events …..none of the RN assets were loaded with WE 177 to go to the conflict zone ….those that went there were pre loaded with those weapons while on routine pre Op corporate duties with no means to do a safe transfer to suitably equipped ship returning to the Uk …..the team that designed We177 (and remember it was not a single variant device ) were very clever safety engineers as were the guys that designed the transportation containers …..there was no risk in terms of road transportation or air movement ……or one falling of a transportation trolley ……
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