RMAS Newton was an underwater research vessel with limited provision for cable laying. She was originally used for sonar propagation trials.[1]

RMAS Newton on Southampton Water
History
United Kingdom
Name
  • 1976–2008 Newton
  • 2008–2012 SD Newton
NamesakeIsaac Newton
Owner
BuilderScott Lithgow
Yard number739
Launched25 June 1975
Commissioned18 June 1976
Identification
FateScrapped 2012
General characteristics
TypeResearch vessel
Displacement4,510 t (4,440 long tons; 4,970 short tons)
Length99 m (324 ft 10 in)
Beam16 m (52 ft 6 in)
Draught6 m (19 ft 8 in)
PropulsionDiesel-electric
Speed13.5 kn (25.0 km/h; 15.5 mph)

History

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RMAS Newton was built at Scott Lithgow Ltd's yard at Greenock. She had three Mirrlees Blackstone 1,450 hp (1,080 kW) diesel engines driving GEC generators for propulsion through a single screw and the ship's electrical supply. This gave her a service speed of 13.5 kn (25.0 km/h; 15.5 mph).[2] To aid manoeuvrability at low speed she had a nozzle rudder and a bow thruster.[3] She was launched on 25 June 1975 and taken into service one year later, on 18 June 1976.[2]

In 2000, she underwent a major refit which included replacing her Mirlees engines with Ruston RK 215 units.[2] At the same time her cable handling equipment was removed. Subsequently, she was used as a training and support vessel for special forces.[3] In 2005, she underwent a further refit at Birkenhead.[2]

On 1 April 2008, she was taken over by Serco who operated her until 2010 when she was replaced by SD Victoria.[3] In 2012 she was sent to Ghent for scrapping.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Critchley, Mike (1979). British Warships and Auxiliaries. Liskeard: Maritime Books. p. 79. ISBN 0-9506323-0-9.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Newton". Scottish Built Ships. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Glover, Bill. "RMAS Newton / SD Newton". History of the Atlantic Cable & Undersea Communications. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2022.