EINSTEIN112
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 26, 2018
- 21,708
- 35,719
Two days after the UK’s biggest warship left port ‘ready to push the boundaries’ of technology, it had to turn around after only making it to the Isle of Wight.
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales was meant to reach the US coast for exercises in a ‘landmark mission’.
The 65,000-tonne warship left Portsmouth Naval Base on Saturday, but before an ’emerging mechanical issue’ occurred and it broke down near the island, which is about 25 miles from Portsmouth at its farthest point.
The departure of the £3 billion ship had already been delayed from Friday because of a technical problem, although it is not known if the incidents are related.
Specialist website Navy Lookout said the issue was caused by damage to the starboard propeller shaft, although the Ministry of Defence has not commented on this.
The website said a photograph of the carrier leaving Portsmouth shows a wake only on the port side, suggesting a problem with the other propeller shaft.
It added that unless the problem can be resolved at sea the warship might need to go into dry dock at Rosyth, Scotland, months ahead of a planned inspection in 2023.
The aircraft carrier at anchor off the Isle of Wight after it broke down off the south coast (Picture: PA)
HMS Prince of Wales arriving back into Portsmouth Harbour in February this year (Picture: PA)
The carrier was moving slowly from south east of the Isle of Wight towards Stokes Bay, Gosport, this afternoon where it is understood the sheltered area will make it easier for divers to examine the damage.
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales was meant to reach the US coast for exercises in a ‘landmark mission’.
The 65,000-tonne warship left Portsmouth Naval Base on Saturday, but before an ’emerging mechanical issue’ occurred and it broke down near the island, which is about 25 miles from Portsmouth at its farthest point.
The departure of the £3 billion ship had already been delayed from Friday because of a technical problem, although it is not known if the incidents are related.
Specialist website Navy Lookout said the issue was caused by damage to the starboard propeller shaft, although the Ministry of Defence has not commented on this.
The website said a photograph of the carrier leaving Portsmouth shows a wake only on the port side, suggesting a problem with the other propeller shaft.
It added that unless the problem can be resolved at sea the warship might need to go into dry dock at Rosyth, Scotland, months ahead of a planned inspection in 2023.
The aircraft carrier at anchor off the Isle of Wight after it broke down off the south coast (Picture: PA)
HMS Prince of Wales arriving back into Portsmouth Harbour in February this year (Picture: PA)
The carrier was moving slowly from south east of the Isle of Wight towards Stokes Bay, Gosport, this afternoon where it is understood the sheltered area will make it easier for divers to examine the damage.
