In case you missed the event that happened on Tuesday, you can see the pictures/watch the video of the sinking of the naval ship off the coast of Praia da Rocha here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... rists.html

What a shame we didn't know, that would have been fun to watch.

Great idea sinking them to form an artificial reef and diving attraction - does anyone know the depth they are in?

Obviously I didn't see the sinking (unfortunately ) but when on a walk down the riverbank in Portimao a few weeks ago I saw this boat tied up on the Ferragudo side of the river. Given the financial position Portugal is in I thought it might still be in service I did take a picture of it but don't know how to attach to a post (not really anything to look at anyway)

The ships are 30 meters down or roughly 100 feet

We were up on the clifftops on Tuesday. Saw the ship being moored and lots of activity, but unfortunately missed the actual sinking.

Don't know about anyone else, but I felt a little sad seeing this vessel slowly coming to the end of it's days. Don't know how old it was, but I wonder how the shipbuilders who spent many hours on its construction felt. Anyone know where it was built, and when?

TomUK wrote:Don't know about anyone else, but I felt a little sad seeing this vessel slowly coming to the end of it's days. Don't know how old it was, but I wonder how the shipbuilders who spent many hours on its construction felt. Anyone know where it was built, and when?

From the look of it I'll bet they were amazed it's lasted so long, looks as if it was made in China from the ammount of rust.

I'm with you, TomUK. My great grandfather and grandfather were both employed in the Clyde ship yards back in the 30s and 40s. Never knew my great grandfather but can remember my grandfather talking about the ships he had worked on. He followed their sea going life and I'm sure he'd have mixed emotions on seeing one of 'his ships' being skuttled, sadness but pleased that even on the seabed, people will be thrilled when 'going on board'!!!

Steel from ships scuttled in Scarpa Flow is used in Geiger counters and the like because it sank prior to the atomic age and has very low levels of radiation.

pato wrote:From the look of it I'll bet they were amazed it's lasted so long, looks as if it was made in China from the ammount of rust.

I think the Prime Minister has just found his next Ambassador to Beijing

I know what you mean about lovely ships reaching the end of their useful lives.
2 of the P&O liners I served in ended up as cruise ships for some some obscure greek shipping line before one of them ended up ferrying muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The lovely, majestic ship that I spent most of my seagoing career on, Canberra, was, along with the QE2, pride of the British merchant marine. She served with glory in the Falklands, but ended up on a beach in Pakistan being cut up for scrap.
I find that immensely sad.

Compared with that, I find the end of the 2 small Portuguese warships far more dignified.

Confused, you stated your time at Dartmouth Naval College, now you mention the Merchant Marine, which was it ? Did the Royal Navy reject you?

SAM SPARKLE wrote:Confused, you stated your time at Dartmouth Naval College, now you mention the Merchant Marine, which was it ? Did the Royal Navy reject you?

Now I'm confused! Who is this post intended for?

TomUK wrote:

SAM SPARKLE wrote:Confused, you stated your time at Dartmouth Naval College, now you mention the Merchant Marine, which was it ? Did the Royal Navy reject you?

Who is this post intended for?

Portland Bill