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PHOTOs-Royal Navy's £3Billion Flagship Aircraft Carrier Arrives at Base
Thousands Line Portsmouth Seafront as HMS Queen Elizabeth - The Royal Navy's £3Billion Flagship Aircraft Carrier - and Her 700-Strong Crew Sail into Her Base for the First Time
The biggest and most powerful warship ever built by Britain has arrived at her home port today for the first time. HMS Queen Elizabeth will send a message to the UK's allies and enemies that the country means business, according to her captain. The £3billion behemoth is set to be the nation's future flagship for the next 50 years. Her 700-strong company plus 200 contractors were given a river boat police escort into Portsmouth Naval Base this morning. Pictures and videos emerged of the ship - and its accompanying flotilla - on the water near Portsmouth as it sailed into the harbour, after leaving from Fife two months ago. Thousands of people, including family members of those on board, lined the seafront to welcome her home. Members of the crew mustered on the deck to wave to their loved ones as the aircraft carrier arrived. People cheered, took photos and waved Union flags as the ship docked at Portsmouth Harbour around 7.30am. As the crowds welcomed her in, Commander Darren Houston could be heard saying over the tannoy to those on the shore: 'Good morning, Portsmouth'. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2865153902.jpg HMS Queen Elizabeth, the UK's newest aircraft carrier, arrives in Portsmouth, as thousands of people line the seafront http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2868860057.jpg This aerial shot shows the sheer size of HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britain's largest ever warship, as it arrives in Portsmouth http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2867565926.jpg The largest warship ever built by Britain, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has today made its first entry into Portsmouth Harbour http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2872674018.jpg HMS Queen Elizabeth entering her home port of Portsmouth Harbour for the first time this morning http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2868641612.jpg Members of the public, with a Union Flag, gather to witness the arrival of the HMS Queen Elizabeth supercarrier as it heads into port http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2865398819.jpg Crowds gathered to greet the crew members of the HMS Queen Elizabeth as it arrived at Portsmouth Harbour today http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2865478392.jpg The HMS Queen Elizabeth, arriving in Portsmouth today, is the lead ship in the new Queen Elizabeth class of supercarriers. Weighing in at 65,000 tonnes she is the largest war ship deployed by the British Royal Navy. She is planned to be in service by 2020 http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2869092331.jpg Britain's future flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed into her home port of Portsmouth, with a police escort, for the first time today http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2865806153.jpg HMS Queen Elizabeth sails into her new home at Portsmouth Harbour after leaving Fife seven weeks ago for sea trials http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2864425598.jpg Homecoming: The power and might of HMS Queen Elizabeth was revealed today as it arrived in Portsmouth - greeted by thousands of people on the seafront http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2865726854.jpg Members of the crew mustered on the deck to wave to their loved ones as the aircraft carrier arrived http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2866745076.jpg The 65,000-tonne carrier, the largest warship ever to be built in Britain, is expected to be the Navy's flagship for at least 50 years http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2863463794.jpg Greeted by thousands of people lining the Portsmouth seafront, the 65,000-tonne carrier was met with the warmest of welcomes as she arrived in her home port just after 7am http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2863567428.jpg The HMS Queen Elizabeth is escorted into Portsmouth Harbour, with the crew members standing on the deck http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2872295679.jpg Thousands of people, including family members of those on board, lined the seafront to welcome her home http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2872325926.jpg People cheered, took photos and waved Union flags as the ship docked at Portsmouth Harbour around 7.30am http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2873051472.jpg Britain's largest ever warship the HMS Queen Elizabeth has arrived at her home port for the first time. Admiral Sir Philip Jones, the First Sea Lord, spoke at the dockside and described the vessel's arrival as the culmination of an 'extraordinary journey' for the ship and the Navy.He said: 'Today, we are gathered to see a seminal moment in the history of the Navy. It is part of an unfolding renaissance in our maritime industries. 'Within both the Royal Navy and British industry, a generation have put their best years into making this a reality. Today is the culmination of the achievement of that programme. 'It is going to take time and patience to introduce this into service. I would like to acknowledge the fabulous support of the US and French navies, who we have worked with and continue to do so. 'As we prepare to leave the European Union, this will take our message of partnership and prosperity to the rest of the world. 'HMS Queen Elizabeth embodies the nation's future ambition, She will be the embodiment of Britain in steel and in spirit. 'She will demonstrate the kind of nation we are - not a diminished nation withdrawing from the world, but an outward-looking and ambitious nation with a Royal Navy to match.' Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: 'Today we welcome our mighty new warship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, to her home for the very first time. 'She is Britain's statement to the world: a demonstration of British military power and our commitment to a bigger global role. 'The thousands of people across the UK who have played a part in building her and her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, should be immensely proud as our future flagship enters Portsmouth. 'She has made good progress in sea trials and will now embark on the next phase of preparations that will see the return of Britain's carrier strike ability. 'When she enters service she will help keep Britain safe at a time of increased threats, able to fill multiple roles from providing air power anywhere at any time to fight future campaigns, supporting allies or delivering humanitarian aid.' A flotilla of craft followed the behemoth aircraft carrier as she sailed into the Solent before heading into Portsmouth, where, at its narrowest point, there was less than 66ft (20m) clearance on each side. With boots polished and caps perfectly placed, all the ship's available company stood at the edge of the vessel as she arrived in the harbour and naval base. Those on board and watching from the shore were also treated to two separate flypasts of Royal Navy helicopters - the first featuring a Sea King, two MK2 Merlins and two MK3 Merlins - which were then joined by two Hawk jets for the second. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2869293194.jpg First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones speaks after the arrival of the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2869318736.jpg A member of the crew of HMS Queen Elizabeth man a weapon as the UK's newest aircraft carrier arrives in Portsmouth for the first time http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2869182501.jpg Navy officers and family members lined the jetty in the Navy base to welcome the ship, while the band of the Royal Marines played to entertain the crowds http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2869341374.jpg A member of the crew dons his 'HMS Queen Elizabeth' hat as the aircraft carrier arrives at Portsmouth Harbour today Fireworks were let off as the giant carrier arrived, dwarfing the historic buildings at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. An 820ft (250m) exclusion zone, enforced by armed police in small boats, meant the port was effectively closed to the small flotilla of boats which had turned out to greet the Queen Elizabeth. Navy officers and family members lined the jetty in the Navy base to welcome the ship, while the band of the Royal Marines played to entertain the crowds. Lieutenant Commander Ian Pratt, who took a moment to take a photograph of the carrier as it sailed past, said: 'Absolutely fantastic. What a wonderful day for the Royal Navy, for Portsmouth and the whole of the country, the flagship of our nation is home. Fantastic.' http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2862737027.jpg Members of the crew of HMS Queen Elizabeth, the UK's newest aircraft carrier, muster on the deck as the ship arrives in Portsmouth http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2865200283.jpg HMS Queen Elizabeth was given a police escort by river boats as it arrived into Portsmouth Harbour this morning http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2865564648.jpg http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2865570209.jpg The ship's captain Admiral Jones looks out onto Portsmouth Harbour while other crew members lined the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth The waterfront on both sides of the harbour was packed with people, waving flags and banners, keen to grab a view of the historic moment. Louise Bond, 30, from Fareham, Hampshire, whose husband, Petty Officer Greg Bond, 33, is serving on board, said: 'It's my first homecoming. It's brilliant. I was up at 2.30am, first in line. 'It's amazing, I wouldn't miss it for the world. It's a historic moment, once-in-a-lifetime to see.' Tanya Baker, from Grantham, Lincolnshire, had taken two-year-old daughter Eloise to meet her partner, Petty Officer Craig May. She said: 'We are really proud that my partner is coming in on the Queen Elizabeth. It's been a long time since I've seen him and we are both proud to be part of the aircraft carrier.' Lieutenant Commander Neil Twigg, a fast jet pilot responsible for integrating the F35 fighter jet into the carrier group, said: 'We are very ready. There is still a lot more work to be done - the aircraft is still going through its testing programme in America and the ship has still some more sea trials - but we are on the right track. 'The sheer size ... this is the 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier, the largest the Royal Navy has ever had, she is specifically built for the F35, the only aircraft carrier in the world designed for that air system, so a pretty unique capability the UK now has.' http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2865961243.jpg Crew members of HMS Queen Elizabeth line the deck of the huge ship as she makes her first entry into Portsmouth today http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2866143387.jpg http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2862659661.jpg The ship will berth at the newly-opened Princess Royal Jetty at Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth, which will be home to both of the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers. Pictured are members of the crew standing on the deck at the ship arrives in Portsmouth http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2862560428.jpg Britain's future flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth sailing into her home port of Portsmouth for the first time today http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2863499976.jpg A helicopter was seen circling the HMS Queen Elizabeth as it arrived in Portsmouth, greeted by thousands of people http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2864357814.jpg Crew members march in line on the deck. The aircraft carrier has been on contractor sea trials since first sailing from Rosyth just over seven weeks ago. After a brief period of maintenance alongside, the ship will head back out to sea for further trials http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2864876843.jpg As the huge ship sailed into Portsmouth Harbour, the HMS Queen Elizabeth crew lined the deck to be welcomed home Quote:
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Inside Big Lizzie Revealed: Photographs Show Life Below HMS Queen Elizabeth's Four-Acre Deck By Joseph Curtis for MailOnline Weighing 65,000-tonnes, HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to be the flagship craft for at least 50 years - and is Britain's largest ever warship. She arrived in her home dock today after completing the latest round of sea trials - a day earlier than previously expected, after weather conditions had formerly prevented the exact date from being set. Pictures inside the ship give an insight into life on board, with the crew members working on their computers, sweating it out in the gym and the chefs cooking their meals. Speaking on board as the vessel sailed in the English Channel yesterday, Captain Jerry Kyd said he is feeling a 'huge amount of pride' ahead of the vessel berthing in her home port. Quizzed on whether he thinks aircraft carriers such as HMS Queen Elizabeth put the UK in the Naval premier league, he said: 'It sends the right signals to our allies and indeed potentially to our enemies that we mean business. 'The armed forces are fundamentally an insurance policy for the country and you can't just, at the flick of a switch, decide that you need these capabilities. 'You have to buy them, work them up, train them, integrate them with the rest of defence so they're ready to be called upon when required. You can't just buy it off the shelf. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972014.jpg HMS Queen Elizabeth - the biggest and most powerful warship ever built by Britain - will enter her home port of Portsmouth for the first time at around 7am this morning after completing sea trials http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972014.jpg The £3billion behemoth is set to be the Royal Navy's future flagship once it becomes operational in 2020. Pictured is a Merlin helicopter on board next to the 'ski jump' launching runway on the flight deck http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972015.jpg A crew member on HMS Queen Elizabeth, affectionately nicknamed 'Big Lizzie', looks through binoculars at the open waters as the ship made its way back to the UK http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972015.jpg There are around 700 members of the crew on board the ship, including the staff of the operations room, pictured, who are responsible for weapons systems and air traffic control http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972016.jpg The ship looks impressive from all angles, as these airmen found out as they saw the carrier from their approaching Merlin helicopter http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972016.jpg Captain Jerry Kyd said he is feeling a 'huge amount of pride' ahead of the vessel berthing in her home port and added the ship would send a message to the world that Britain 'means business'. Pictured are crew in the operations room http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972017.jpg Captain Kyd added the investment in Big Lizzie proved 'it is all about having the right investment and having the right equipment for the thousands of people who go to war on behalf of the nation'. Pictured are airmen boarding a Merlin helicopter http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972017.jpg HMS Queen Elizabeth, pictured, weighs 65,000 tonnes, is 920ft long and can reach a top speed of up to 25 knots (28mph) http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2848022345.jpg Around 45 days worth of food is kept on board the HMS Queen Elizabeth, with this cook pictured preparing potatoes for dinner in one of the galleys http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972018.jpg The vessel can be pressed into action for various work such as high intensity war fighting or providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972019.jpg Mark Deller, Commander Air on HMS Queen Elizabeth, said the four-acre flight deck, poictured, is a capability the Navy has not had before 'Yes, it costs money, but it is all about having the right investment and having the right equipment for the hundreds, if not thousands of young men and women that go to war on behalf of the nation. 'It is absolutely an obligation of the taxpayer to ensure we have the right equipment.' During her estimated half a century working life, the 920ft vessel can be pressed into action for various work such as high intensity war fighting or providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief. 'We have never had a ship of 65,000-tonnes before in the Royal Navy so we have had to put in a bit of investment,' said Capt Kyd, who has served in the Navy for 32 years, and has been captain of HMS Illustrious and HMS Ark Royal. 'Of course when Henry VIII built Portsmouth, it was designed for ships the size of Mary Rose so we have had to make a few little changes to make sure we can fit in and be supported there.' Preparations for the ship's arrival saw more than 3.2 million cubic metres of sediment removed from the harbour to ensure the entrance is deep enough to allow the giant ship to access the Hampshire base. During the dredging, more than 20,000 items were removed from the sea bed including eight cannons, an aircraft engine, 36 anchors, a British torpedo, a German sea mine, five large bombs and a human skull - which was passed to local police. The operation to prepare the harbour and base has cost £100 million and has included new jetties and a new power plant to meet the electricity needs of the ship which is set to be joined by its sister vessel the HMS Prince of Wales which is currently being built. Mark Deller, Commander Air on HMS Queen Elizabeth, said the four-acre flight deck is a capability the Navy has not had before. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972019.jpg But those in charge of the ship say she is 'not finished' and there is 'still work to do' before she can lead the Royal Navy http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972020.jpg More than 60 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines took part in a training exercise aboard the American USS George HW Bush earlier this month, in preparation for the ship's entry into service http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972020.jpg Huge containers of salt and sauces have been brought on board as chefs have to provide dinner for hundreds of people http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972021.jpg The operation to prepare Portsmouth Harbour for the arrival of the ship has itself cost £100million and has included new jetties and a new power plant to meet the electricity needs of the ship http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972021.jpg The carrier will remain without jets until flying trials are conducted in the United States next year, with 10 F-35 Lightning II jets and 120 aircrew expected to take part http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972021.jpg State of the art gyms, pictured, are also dotted throughout the ship to make sure the crew keep themselves in top shape while on assignments Quizzed on the ship heading into Portsmouth, he said it will be a proud moment. 'It is going to be a good day, we are bringing our ship in. But what I wouldn't want to do is to sell the story that this is it, the bees knees and we are bringing our new Ferrari out of the garage. 'It is not Ferrari yet we have still got some work to do. She's not finished.' The warship has been undergoing training and tests at sea after setting out from Scotland's Rosyth dockyard in June, with more to take place over the coming months. HMS Queen Elizabeth will remain without aircraft until flying trials are conducted in the United States next year, with 10 F-35 Lightning II jets and 120 aircrew expected to take part. The warship is expected to arrive in Portsmouth UK shortly after 7am. The 919ft vessel was previously forecast to reach its base in the Hampshire port town between 17 and 22 August, after setting out from Scotland's Rosyth dockyard in June. More than 60 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines took part in a training exercise aboard the American USS George HW Bush earlier this month, in preparation for the ship's entry into service. The carrier will remain without aircraft until flying trials are conducted in the United States next year, with 10 F-35 Lightning II jets and 120 aircrew expected to take part. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972022.jpg Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has heralded the HMS Queen Elizabeth's impending arrival, and declared last week that she would be deployed 'across the seven seas, using her strike power to deter our enemies' http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972022.jpg The HMS Queen Elizabeth, pictured, will later be joined at Portsmouth by its sister ship the HMS Prince of Wales once the latter is completed http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972023.jpg The vessel was previously forecast to reach its base in the Hampshire port town between August 17 and 22, after setting out from Scotland's Rosyth dockyard in June http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972023.jpg HMS Queen Elizabeth is made up of 17 million parts and 28 million hours have been spent designing and building the carrier, pictured http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972024.jpg Last week it was revealed a drone pilot had landed his unmanned aircraft on the HMS Queen Elizabeth, pictured, in high winds http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972024.jpg The ship, pictured, will soon head to America's east coast for flight trials which will begin in October 2018 Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon has heralded the HMS Queen Elizabeth's impending arrival, and declared last week that she would be deployed 'across the seven seas, using her strike power to deter our enemies'. Sir Michael visited the craft for the first time last month, when he hailed the return of 'big decks and fast jets', and described the large-scale engineering project as 'great for British industry'. The warship will become the latest in a long line of prestigious ships to be docked in the historic Portsmouth port. Last week it was revealed a drone pilot had landed his unmanned aircraft on the HMS Queen Elizabeth in high winds, after zooming it past armed police patrol boats and dropped it unchallenged onto the four-acre deck. Concerned about the flight on to HMS Queen Elizabeth, the drone's pilot later approached security personnel - but said no-one was concerned that he had touched down on the recently launched ship. As HMS Queen Elizabeth is currently on sea trials it is not yet under Royal Navy control. A spokesman for BAE and the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, the consortium that built the ship, said they would investigate the drone flyer's claims. http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972024.jpg This detailed graphic shows many of the different features of the HMS Queen Elizabeth and where they are http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972025.jpg The huge shape of the HMS Queen Elizabeth passes Dorset's Jurassic Coast en route to her new home at Portsmouth http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972025.jpg The £3billion flagship aircraft carrier has recently completed a series of sea trials and returns to the UK a day earlier than previously expected http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972026.jpg The aircraft carrier, pictured off Dorset yesterday, will become the latest in a long line of prestigious ships to be docked in the port http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972026.jpg The 65,000-tonne carrier, set to arrive in Portsmouth, is expected to be the Navy's flagship craft for at least 50 years http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972027.jpg HMS Queen Elizabeth makes its way into the port of Invergordon while taking part in sea trials off the Scottish Coast on July 8 http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/...2845972027.jpg The £3billion aircraft carrier will remain without aircraft until flying trials are conducted in the United States next year. 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