Thales UK supports HMS Alliance restoration
The £6.7m project is planned to conserve Alliance, the centrepiece of the memorial to 5,300 British submariners who gave their lives for their country in the ‘Silent Service’.
The project is being backed by a variety of stakeholders from across the RN, Heritage Lottery, industry and enthusiasts. Thales has a distinguished history in supporting British submarine warfare, having supplied every periscope to the fleet since 1917 and was closely involved in the commercial post-war development of sonar.
Alliance was designed during the Second World War for service in the Far East and was launched in 1945, as victory was achieved. The boat then began a distinguished 28-year career during the Cold War until she retired as the centrepiece of the Submarine Museum.
Records show Alliance was initially fitted with CK14 (search) and CH66 (attack) periscopes. The A-class submarines were then re-fitted with new periscopes during the 1950s.
Work has started on constructing a hard permanent standing around the frame of the submarine. The museum recently held an open day to brief the stakeholders who are supporting the project on the progress to date and future plans.
Vice Admiral Sir Tim McClement, Chairman of the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, says: “It is really exciting to finally be able start the actual physical work to save HMS Alliance. As the memorial to all the submariners who have fought and died in the submarine service, it is so important that she is conserved and brought to life for future generations to have the opportunity to understand and learn about the ‘silent service’ that has been in operation for over 100 years protecting our nation.”
The project to save Alliance received a £3.4m lottery grant from the Heritage Lottery fund in May.
With the submarine’s position in cradles over salt water, the structure has suffered significant corrosion over the years that is now badly in need of repair. As well as the physical conservation, at the heart of the project is a new education programme and dynamic interpretation scheme that will bring Alliance back to life for all visitors.
Improvements will include dressing the accommodation spaces to reflect the decades of Alliance’s service from the 1940s through to the 1970s, with interactive ‘soundscapes’ that reflect how the submarine looked and felt while on operations.
Two of Thales UK’s naval directors have a personal link with the A class – and one with Alliance herself - having served as young submariner officers during the 1960s.
David Shepherd and Barry Morgan served as Midshipmen in A-class submarines in the 7th Submarine Squadron in Singapore in 1967. During his initial training at Dartmouth, David also went to sea on board Alliance as part of the RN’s attempt to recruit future submariners.
He said: “The experience was interesting. These A-class submarines were very cramped, very uncomfortable but somehow very exciting. They had torpedo tubes front and back, basic sonars and fire control equipment and fairly primitive living accommodation.
“The HMS Alliance project is a fantastic opportunity to preserve a real link to diesel submarines of the Second World War era.”
Phil Naybour, head of Thales UK’s naval business, said: “Thales has enjoyed close links with the RN’s submarine service for many years, and our sensors and systems are fitted to every class of UK submarine in service today. We are proud to be associated with this important project that will secure the future of HMS Alliance and continue to inform visitors for generations to come of the vital role submariners have played in protecting our shores.”
Fundraising still continues at the museum which will remain open to visitors during the renovation work. For more information on HMS Alliance, contact the Appeal Office on 023 9251 0354 ext 244, or visit www.submarine-museum.co.uk .
