www.navyphotos.co.uk

The reason why I produced this site, a "Rant" at our Government, and a "Thank you" to its many Donors.

The photographs on this site are a mixture of those from my own collection of many years, some which were "Rescued" from an unofficial "Fly Tip" rubbish site during early 1997, and many more which have been donated to me, to display on this site, from the private collections of my sites many visitors.

Far too many photographs of this nature remain forever locked away in "Museums" and "Archives" and are, generally, inaccessible to the vast majority of people. My intention as been, therefore, to bring these photo's to as many people as possible through my site, and to raise an awareness as to the past glory of the Royal Navy.

This is now, in 2011, of even greater importance, as it seems that our present "Coalition Government" is even more "Hell bent" on the reduction of all our Armed Forces than the previous, dis-credited Labour Government ever was. This can only be down to David Cameron's wish for a "European Defense Force", and for what remains of the Royal Navy being a very small part of it !! - Soon pictures and memories will be all we have left.

With the Navy in particular taking the brunt of the "Cutbacks", we are now down to having no "Aircraft Carriers or Carrier Capable aircraft" for at least the next 10 years, no Maritime Reconnaissance "Nimrods", as they are being scrapped even as I type this, and the expectation is of being able to share a "French Carrier" when the tough gets going down in the Falklands in the not too distant future. - Oh look, there's another pig flying past the window !! - Now perhaps, as current events in Libya unfold, the "Chickens will come home to Roost" and the towering intellects making up our Government may gain a modicum of common sense !! - Cue another Porcine "Flypast" !!   

I made attempts in 2000 to contact the original owners of those photo's found "dumped" without success. I hope, therefore, that if anyone recognizes an Image on this site as being, originally, one of theirs, and, considering the nature of my acquisition of it, they will continue to allow my use of it in this form, for the "Free benefit and Educational purposes" of all who may wish to visit these pages, and that they will accept my many and sincere thanks.

In the years since the site has been "active" I have continued to add more of my own photo's, and have also received copies of many photos from numerous other people, who wish to see their Ships photos displayed for the "free" benefit of all. I have acknowledged their gift where applicable. 

Major contributors to the site include Mr. Mark Teadham, who has provided several hundred images from his own collection, along with Mr Gerry Wright. - Mr. George Knight, has put me into contact with a sizeable collection of "Destroyer" photo's, as has Mr. Michael Pocock from Texas in the USA. - Mr. Robert Hanley has provided enough photos to enable me to set up another complete section covering WW11 "Escorts", and also Mr. David Downey, a recent large scale contributor, has sent me a complete collection of data cards and associated photos. There are also contributions from many who wish to remain "Anonymous" and so, although their photo's are displayed, there are no credits shown beneath them.

I am now in the process of sorting through, and adding to my site where possible, photo's from the huge "Dudley Mills" collection which has been passed on to me. This addition of over 6,000 photo's has nearly doubled the photo's available for my site. For the moment then may I please ask my sites visitors to be patient with me and, if they cannot find a particular ship, to contact me via my e-mail address and I will check through "Dudley's" collection for them. 

I have also received much help from members of the "Loch Class Frigate Association", the "Ton Class Mine-Sweeper Association" and the webmasters of the many private RN Ships and Submarines sites who have been in contact with me, and have helped in providing me with, many photos and information that was previously absent. I extend my sincere thanks to you all. 

I have also received much help and inspiration from Mr. Steven Johnson of www.cyber-heritage.co.uk fame, a site that is a "Must" for those of you interested in Plymouth (U.K.) Naval and Local history, amongst many other subjects, and also from Mr. Peter Mitchell of www.submerged.co.uk  This is another "Must visit" site for all those searching for information concerning S.W. Devon shipwreck (and many worldwide) "Dive sites", and a source of purchase of several Diving related videos, books, and other merchandise.