Urban Exploration - Royal Naval Torpedo Testing Station and Range

kj · 19th April 2008, 05:33 PM

Originally an Admiralty facility, the range became the Royal Naval Torpedo Testing Station and Range, referred to variously as the Loch Long Torpedo Range and the Arrochar Torpedo Range. Test firing was carried out from submarines, or from a modified vessel, similar to a Clyde Puffer, equipped with two underwater torpedo tubes fitted beneath the bow. This vessel is said have been built in Germany, and been taken from there either during, or after, World War II. When not in use, this vessel was moored off the Gamble Steps in Gourock, near to the present day ferry terminal and pier. Torpedoes under test were constructed without warheads, and designed to float to the surface on completion of their test run. Recovery is said to have been by an ex-RAF rescue craft, the Fulmar, which had a low freeboard (the distance from the waterline to the upper deck level, measured at the lowest point where water can enter) which made the operation easier.

Keerin · 19th April 2008, 06:37 PM

Amazing!

I'm gonna have to get a camera and some disused/secret areas for myself!

kj · 19th April 2008, 06:47 PM

A few months before hand someone set fire to the place. When I got there the roof had collapse and pretty much the whole structure was rubble except for the bit that looked out onto the loch. They still had train lines and little carts for moving torpedoes around the place. Apparently the police get regular calls from people on the loch spotting old torpedoes lying in shallow waters.

The first shot was a little bit lucky. I couldn't get my SLR through the gap in the doors so had to put my hand through with my point and shoot and snapped a few shots blind. Came out well though.

Keerin · 19th April 2008, 06:59 PM

I really like the composition of the first one actually!

ubermensch · 20th April 2008, 01:11 PM

KJ, that second photo is really amazing. Even though I know nothing about photography, this stuff is great man, very pleasing to the eye.

kj · 20th April 2008, 05:34 PM

Cheers mate!

kj · 23rd April 2008, 07:32 PM

Went back last night... the last three were experimental with my 50mm nifty fifty prime lens. Amazing bit of kit for £60.

19th April 2008, 05:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
kj gimp Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 13,287 Band: A band of merry men	Urban Exploration - Royal Naval Torpedo Testing Station and Range Originally an Admiralty facility, the range became the Royal Naval Torpedo Testing Station and Range, referred to variously as the Loch Long Torpedo Range and the Arrochar Torpedo Range. Test firing was carried out from submarines, or from a modified vessel, similar to a Clyde Puffer, equipped with two underwater torpedo tubes fitted beneath the bow. This vessel is said have been built in Germany, and been taken from there either during, or after, World War II. When not in use, this vessel was moored off the Gamble Steps in Gourock, near to the present day ferry terminal and pier. Torpedoes under test were constructed without warheads, and designed to float to the surface on completion of their test run. Recovery is said to have been by an ex-RAF rescue craft, the Fulmar, which had a low freeboard (the distance from the waterline to the upper deck level, measured at the lowest point where water can enter) which made the operation easier. __________________ This community cannot survive without your continued support. galleries \|\| links directory \|\| profiles \|\| wiki

19th April 2008, 06:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Keerin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: probably work Posts: 5,791 Band: Welcome Home, Explorer; Vulsellum; Altruist	Amazing! I'm gonna have to get a camera and some disused/secret areas for myself! __________________ Welcome Home, Explorer \|Vulsellum\|Scum Killer Last edited by Keerin : 19th April 2008 at 06:40 PM.

19th April 2008, 06:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
kj gimp Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 13,287 Band: A band of merry men	A few months before hand someone set fire to the place. When I got there the roof had collapse and pretty much the whole structure was rubble except for the bit that looked out onto the loch. They still had train lines and little carts for moving torpedoes around the place. Apparently the police get regular calls from people on the loch spotting old torpedoes lying in shallow waters. The first shot was a little bit lucky. I couldn't get my SLR through the gap in the doors so had to put my hand through with my point and shoot and snapped a few shots blind. Came out well though. __________________ This community cannot survive without your continued support. galleries \|\| links directory \|\| profiles \|\| wiki

19th April 2008, 06:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Keerin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: probably work Posts: 5,791 Band: Welcome Home, Explorer; Vulsellum; Altruist	I really like the composition of the first one actually! __________________ Welcome Home, Explorer \|Vulsellum\|Scum Killer

20th April 2008, 01:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
ubermensch Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pat Sharp's basement. Posts: 610 Band: Juliet Kilo	KJ, that second photo is really amazing. Even though I know nothing about photography, this stuff is great man, very pleasing to the eye. Last edited by ubermensch : 20th April 2008 at 01:13 PM. Reason: Mongoloid spelling module disengaged.

20th April 2008, 05:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
kj gimp Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 13,287 Band: A band of merry men	Cheers mate! __________________ This community cannot survive without your continued support. galleries \|\| links directory \|\| profiles \|\| wiki

23rd April 2008, 07:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
kj gimp Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Scotland Posts: 13,287 Band: A band of merry men	Went back last night... the last three were experimental with my 50mm nifty fifty prime lens. Amazing bit of kit for £60. __________________ This community cannot survive without your continued support. galleries \|\| links directory \|\| profiles \|\| wiki

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