DarkShadow
Active member
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.
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.
Sal
Very exciting to see the AA Gun. Do you know what make it was, by any chance?
