It was called stores basin because all the supplies/logistics (Non armament and food) for the Royal Navy Far East Fleet were landed in that area where there were many godown type storage areas. There were also oil pipeline connections to each berth linked to the many tanks at Senoko which was the main storage area of fuel for the Fleet. Some tanks are still there and feed the power station I think.There are two aircraft carriers if you look closely. One was HMS Victorious (full side on when you look). The other is actually at right angles to it in the basin itself (top left and adjacent to Victorious) It was actually a commando carrier with helicopters, most of which had been disembarked to one of the shore bases at the time. Hope this makes sense to you!
Eh …. Actually I am still unable to spot the second aircraft carrier. I trust that my readers are less dense than me. :(
12 comments:
Could the other carrier be HMS Fearless?
I think one is in the center of the photo. The other at top left, below the hill.
This was a former naval basin of the british naval base at Sembawang. Though small in size it has a remarkable depth of (35 metres). Because of its limited size, it is suitable to berth small naval vessels like figates, destroyers, submarines and others. Larger vessels like large supply ships and smaller size aircraft carriers(mostly british) can berth there. In recent years more U.S. and other friendly countries are allowed naval vessels to berth here.
The Naval Base dry dock at Sembawang with this pic here .
The British military facilities at Naval Base in Sembawang has now become history. Sembawang today is a vibrant and developed community heartland...then and now.
In recent years more U.S. and other friendly countries are allowed naval vessels to berth here. These all are great to know about it.
I sent this link to my brother in Australia, his reply was:
Those photo’s of the RN ships brings back a lot of memories. Sembawang was a real “Sailor’s Town” as long as you did not run afoul of the redcaps (British Naval Police) from HMS Terror, the RN shore base. Bugis Street was then an endless row of bars to put it mildly and renowned for the “Beanie Boys of Bugis Street”.
Any RAN ship going To Singapore, Hong Kong, Subic Bay (Manila) etc. was said to be going “up top” and instead of being referred to as South East Asia it was Far East Station (nicknamed “Fez”) although HK was referred to as China Station.
Thanks for that, G.
In recent years more U.S. and other friendly countries are allowed naval vessels to berth here.
IIRC, the "mysterious" commando carriers could be members of the RN Centaur class commando carriers, either the HMS Albion or the HMS Bulwark. See below for further info.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Albion_(R07)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Bulwark_(R08)
Sincerely,
Dave1185 @ Wikipedia
I was based at sembawang wharves during my NS doing protection of key installation.
The basin still looks the same as the pictures but it now used mostly by US warships.
I have a question maybe those with interest in this topic can answer.
Where exactly was the British Naval Base in today context? This basin? Sembawang wharves?
British Naval Base or RN Sembawang was very large. Basin + wharf served the navy but there was also wireless station opposite on the empty land opposite entrance to Sembawang Shipyard today. There was also HMS Sembawang which is today RSAF Sembawang AB. There was alos HMS Terror which I think in the RSN Musuem or the yacht club area. The yacht club was part of r&r for British Navy. There was also HMS Kranji wireless station which is now SAF School of Signals.
The other carrier was Albion and the ship to the right of the picture was HMS Interpid sister ship to Fearless. This picture was taken after the return of the Fleet from a major exercise off Penang. The other ships were Royal Fleet Auxiliaries that had been supporting the Fleet. Mike Robbins
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