Naval Base, Lyness - Orkneys

Lyness Naval Base once housed thousands of Naval ratings,the billets of which a few can still be seen around the base.

Old buildings lay abundant and show the enormous size of the base. There is an old pier still standing with the words `MOD property....`and has a crane that was used for loading cargo and ammo on to the ships.

This was the premier naval base during both the world wars.

The Old Cinema Building



This was once classed as the largest Cinema/Theatre in Europe and it's where the King and Churchill went to watch movies with the men and enjoy the regular concerts by Gracie Fields.

Old NAAFI Canteen









This building was very interesting but falling to bits. You often hear of buildings where it looks like someone just moved out and this was like it only then moved out in 1948. I chuckled when I picked up a plate and on the underside was the Navy Anchor. I couldn't believe it. There was original china on the tables and the serving hatch complete with the Royal Navy anchor on the bottom.

Torpedo Storage Bunkers







Detonator Stores



Liberty Jetty



This is where the liberty boats would pick up the sailors who were going for a night out in either Stromness or Kirkwall.

Main Jetty



Many a mighty battleship was refueled and rearmed here.

A more modern addition to the rusting hulks.



Railway carriage with the RN stenciled on it.



Anti Aircraft Gun salvaged from the scuttled German Fleet.



A gun still on one of the wrecks.





I couldn't resist this one of me getting ready to jump in to explore.



That's about the lot from my trip to the Orkneys with the rest being underwater so I hope you like them.

ooooooooooooooh excellent pics. Its awesome to see some of the places my uncle would have been and gone to etc during the war.

really, really want to go now.

Cheers,

Sal

Wow, that's a great explore...so many different sections, including under the water! Very exciting to see the AA Gun. Do you know what make it was, by any chance?
Love the fact that the original naval crockery was still there and that gate-leg table is unbelievable!

Cheers for that.

King Al said:

Fantastic explore DS, the Torpedo Storage Bunkers are great, and you went diving! thats truly taking UE to the next level.

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It was three weeks of exploring the wrecks and when I was "off gassing" I was exploring the historical buildings around the islands.

Here's a picture of me penetrating one of the massive cruisers at the bottom of the flow.



I have a lot of photos of the wrecks and took about 20 hours of video too for a DVD so if anyone want's to see the wreck photos I will put them up.

DarkShadow said:

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so that is what they where, I was up there diving in September, and explored these, and wondered what they where for.

Fantastic Report!

Looks like this place is pretty untouched. Another post I've enjoyed looked through. Even with all that gear, must be a wee bit chilly in the water!!!
Top marks for effort (and especially just for us!)
Thanks a lot for sharing.

Lb