Huáscar

When we build it lasts

Cammell lairds quality ??

Hi Tony, I visited Huáscar on numerous occasions when I spent 4 months leading a UK study team on behalf of the Chilean Navy, reviewing their warship and submarine repair techniques and drawing up a new master plan to improve efficiency and vessel operational performance. We introduced a new trade apprenticeship scheme, an integrated logistics and plans to improve workshops and repair methods. It was the early 90’s and they had Oberon Class Submarines and ex RN HMS Fife. During the study I was accommodated in Talcahuano Naval Base officers wardroom and I would regularly visit the Officers mess just outside the base where Huáscar was berthed opposite and open to the public. She was originally the flag ship of the Peruvian Navy, captured at the Battle of Angamos in 1879 and was commissioned into the Chilean Navy. She is in excellent condition, or was before the sunami a few years ago, and is a testament to Laird Brothers the Builder in Birkenhead. I was Managing Director of the Seaforth Group’s marine division who owned Humber Shiprepairers, at that time and they went on to acquire the assets of Cammell Laird and formed a new company. Some years later I became an executive director of Cammell Laird alongside John Syvret