Places of Interest - Birkenhead and Wallasey Docks

Between Wallasey and Birkenhead there are numerous berths where ships can dock. Many ships based in the Isle of Man spend the winter here. There are several lifting bridges across the docks. Below is picture of one of these road bridges.


The picture below shows the bridge in the open position and a cargo ship leaving the dock. In the background is the Liverpool Anglican Cathredral. The top decks of a ferry berthed at the north end of twelve quays are also visible.

In March 2006 there was a collision between a bridge and a ship. Usually the larger ships use tugs to help them berth. The widest ship I have seen in the dock was 25 metres wide.

RFA - Royal Fleet Auxillary

A local shipyard has a contract to refit RFA (Royal Fleet Auxillary ships) so these frequently visit the area:
RFA Bayleaf - Tanker (2008/2009)
RFA Diligence - Forward Repair (2007)
RFA Rosalie - Replenishment (2008/2009)

Historic Warships

The Warship Preservation Trust was based in the East Float. The ships are as follows:
HMS Onyx - diesel/electric submarine
HMS Plymouth - a frigate
Light Ship - a floating lighthouse (yes I know this isn't a warship but it still was based at the museum)
U534 - a World War II German submarine
HMS Bonington. - a mine detector
Tank landing craft

Other Shipping

Anastasis - Hospital ship
Alaska Rainbow - Bulk Carrier
Bibby Sapphire - Diving Support Vessel
Fairlift - Floating Crane
FS Latouche-Treville - French Warship
Isle of Arran - RORO ferry
Kerne - Historic Tug
Logos II - Mission ship
Orp Kaszub - Polish Frigate
Merchant Bravery - Ro-ro cargo
Midjur - Bulk Carrier
Prince William - Tall Ship
Reinbek - Tanker
FGS Schleswig-Holstein - French Frigate
HNoMS Trondheim - Norwegian Frigate


Isle of Arran
The scottish ferry visited the docks in March (2009) for a hull inspection after it ran aground near Oban.


Alaska Rainbow
In February (2007) the ship arrived in the East Float. Unfortunately just before the bulk carrier arrived it was involved in an incident.
Dimensions (157 * 23 *6.8) with a displacement of 13898 tons. Built Aug 1985.

Bibby Sapphire
In December 2006 I saw the diving support vessel in the dock after it had been converted from being an off-shore construction vessel.
Dimensions (94 * 18 * 6.4) with a displacement of 5118 tons. As well as having the usual crane on the stern there is a helicopter pad on the bow and a pair of water cannon on the roof of the bridge.

Reinbek
While I was at Seacombe waiting to photograph the clipper yachts I saw the tanker Reinbek unlock. Note there is also a containership with the same name.


Prince William
The tall ship arrived in the dock in June (2006). Despite the time of the year it was rather windy and a bit chilly taking pictures. I noticed that the square rigged brig was equipped with modern navigational equipment - lights, radar and even a bow thruster. Other ships should be arriving later in the year as part of the Mersey River Festival
Dimensions: 60 * 10 * 4.7 with a tonnage of 493.


Midjur
I saw the cargo ship Midjur (169 * 25 * 8.1 metres) in the outer basin in March (2006), so I stopped to take a few photographs.


I didn't get back in my car quick enough, shortly after I took this picture the bridge openned stopping the traffic.


Merchant Bravery
I saw Merchant Bravery arrive in the basin in February (2006) later in the afternoon she moved to the West Float for a divers inspection and if necessary repairs. Merchant Bravery seems to be designed to take both ro-ro cargo and containers. Several other ro-ro ships owned by the same shipping company are based at Twelve Quays.


Kerne
The rather older steam tug Kerne came into the basin at the same time so that it can share a dry dock with the steam tug Daniel Adamson. Kerne apparently had engine problems as she was brought into the dock by Safe Hand in the background.


Some ships are now used as moving adverts. Look closely at some of the ships and you will see the company web address.

Fairlift
I spotted an unusual ship that was working in the docks (November 2005). The floating crane Fairlift also seemed to be carring a smaller vessel behind its second crane.


Logos II
Logos II visited the region (November 2001). Logos is not a tanker, a container ship or bulk carrier. Originally it operated as a ferry between Morocco and Spain. It is now operated by Operation Mobilisation and is used for missionary work. MV Logos II returned to the area in May (2005). This is probably the last time it will visit the area as OM plan to replace Logos II with Logos Hope.


Anastasis
The Hospital ship Anastasis visited the region (June/July 2004) as part of the Mersey River Festival. Anastasis is the largest non-governmental hospital ship in the world.


In 2003 several warships berthed in the West Float as part of the Battle of the Atlantic Celebrations.
Picture Description
This picture shows my brother standing by the Polish Frigate Orp Kaszub
The Norwegian Navy's frigate HNoMS Trondheim was one of several ships open to the public over the bank holiday weekend.
The French ship FS Latouche-Treville was one of the large war ships berthed. This ship was equipped with the much feared exocet missile system.
The German Frigate FGS Schleswig-Holstein was also equipped with the exocet missile system.


Albert Dock
Queen Elizabeth II Dock
Shipping - Cross Reference
Tugs
Places of interest
Map Index.