Vanguard Submarine Arrives Home Absolutely Caked In Algae
Story by Oliver Parken •
10h
Here at The War Zone, we’ve seen our fair share of naval vessels looking, how shall we say, worse for wear. Long deployments at sea, reduced crews sizes, and heavy operations tempos can lead to the formation of heavy rust and corrosion on surface combatants. Submarines, on the other hand, don't have the luxury of ease of access to most their structure to keep corrosion under control and the grime off even if they wanted to. Ballistic missile submarines whose job it is to go find a hole in the ocean to hide for long periods of time spend little time on the surface regardless.
Recent images of a Royal Navy Vanguard class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) taken by Sheila Weir — captured after the sub completed a six-month-long deterrent patrol — underscore the immense beating these leviathans of the deep can take while on mission for long stretches of time. The missile boat looks like a sea monster that has emerged from a long slumber at the bottom of ocean.
Vanguard class SSBN pictured inbound, Faslane, Scotland, September 11, 2023. Sheila Weir
The photos in question were taken as the Vanguard class submarine returned to HM Naval Base Clyde, which is also known as Faslane, on the west coast of Scotland, earlier today. Which specific submarine within the Vanguard class this was — there are four in total — and where it ventured to during its six months at sea remain unknown. Secrecy surrounding the movements of these SSBNs is standard practice for the Royal Navy. One British SSBN always remains on patrol from HM Naval Base Clyde at any given time to ensure the country’s second strike nuclear deterrence remains credible. Since 1998, the Royal Navy’s SSBNs have provided the U.K.’s sole nuclear weapons capability.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/vanguard-submarine-arrives-home-absolutely-caked-in-algae/ar-AA1gzKp9?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=f1d31159d8a8497f8ca8a3c074737224&ei=54
