Photograph 1 (27k)
The main Gauge Board / Control Position for the Port Boiler.
Starting top-left, the long strip is a Manometer calibrated in inches water gauge and measuring Forced Draught. Adjacent can be seen a grey coloured box, this being an alarm annunciator for "Boiler High" and "Boiler Low Water Level" conditions. Next a repeater of the Engine Orders Telegraph. The red handwheel top-centre is the extended operating gear of the Auxiliary Feed Check Valve which controls admission of Feedwater to the Boiler from the Auxiliary Feedpumps drawing suction from the Reserve Feed Tank. Next, (top-right of panel), can be seen the port of a periscope which enabled viewing of the Boiler Uptake to check for the presence of smoke. The missing dial was simply a clock. The various indicators on the main panel are Boiler and Superheater pressure gauges, superheat temperature indicators, Boiler Casing pressure gauge, and a Tachometer for the Forced Draught Blower. The two handwheels coloured red and green at the bottom of the panel are the extended operating gears for the Superheat Contol Dampers, these being interlocked to ensure the wide-open position of one or other of the Dampers at all times
Photograph 2 (26k)
General View Boiler Control Position
From this position the Petty Officer in charge of the Watch operated both Main Boilers and passed Burner Orders to the Stokers at each Boiler Front. All necessary valves were arranged around him, Fuel Pump Throttles behind, Forced Draught Blower Throttles overhead.
Photograph 3 (27k)
"Clock" Drum Level Indicator
This unit indicates the water level in the Starboard Boiler, a similar Indicator being fitted for the Port Boiler. These Gauges were arranged outboard of the Main Boiler Gauge Boards, and were used in conjunction with the IGEMA's for monitoring water levels.
Photograph 4 (20k)
Copes Feedwater Regulator
The white circle in the background is the front of the Starboard Boiler's Steam Drum. The triangular affair is the Cope's Feedwater Regulator which automatically controlled the admission of the feedwater to the Boiler Drum via the Economiser.
Photograph 5 (29k)
Fuel Pumps
The reciprocating Fuel Pumps, Port (partly-dismantled) nearest, Starboard beyond. These are immediately behind the Boiler Control Position. As PLYMOUTH was converted to "Dieso" burning there was no longer any requirement to pre-heat fuel.
Photograph 6 (28k)
Reciprocating Pumps
The Starboard Fuel Pump again, and the reciprocating Auxiliary Feedpump. The pressure gauges visible refer to the operation of the Boiler-room Turbo Feedpump which is immediately adjacent to the Auxiliary Feedpump
Photograph 7 (31k)
Auxiliary Feedpump
Another - close-up - view of the reciprocating Auxiliary Feedpump of G&J Weir's manufacture.
Photograph 8 (29k)
TWL Pump
End view of the Boiler-room Weir's TWL (Turbo Water Lubricated) Boiler Feedpump. The brass Stop Valve is to the right. The large spring visible powers the Overspeed Trip Gear, the red-handled lever being the means of manual emergency shutdown.
Photograph 9 (30k)
Fuel Sprayers (Burners)
The colour coded Sprayers on the Port Boiler Front.
Photograph 10 (27k)
Starboard Boiler
General view of the Starboard Boiler Front. IGEMA, ("I give exact measurements always" !!!???), Remote Drum Level Gauge Glass in left foreground.
Photograph 11 (33k)
Boiler Fronts
Looking across the Boiler Fronts from Starboard to Port. The Boiler Control Position is to the left, Boilers on right.
Photograph 12 (20k)
Port Boiler
This view shows the complete length of the Port Boiler. The pipe visible is the Main Feedwater supply running to the Economiser Inlet at the rear of the Boiler (from the Cope's Regulator).
Photograph 13 (20k)
Sootblowing Operating Gear
The red coloured Handwheels operate the Boiler and Economiser Sootblowers. This photograph is taken in the space behind the Port Boiler, the Auxiliary Boiler and Fuel Transfer Pumps also occupy this space.
Photograph 14 (24k)
Between Boilers
Looking aft between the Boilers at bottom floorplate level.
Photograph 15 (25k)
Starboard Forced Draught Blower
The Starboard Turbo-driven Forced Draught Blower. The Ducting disappearing to the left feeds the Starboard Boiler. The vertical axis, axial flow Blowers were located high up in the Boiler Compartment above the Reserve Feedwater Tanks, (see next photograph).
Photograph 16 (29k)
Boiler-room / Engineroom HMS AURORA
This view of the "Leander" class frigate HMS AURORA under demolition in September 1992 shows the Engineroom/Boiler-room Bulkhead, the Boiler-room being to the right. The former Port and Starboard Main Steam Lines, and Main Hot Feedwater Line can be seen passing through the Bulkhead. The clear area in front of the Bulkhead would have been occupied by the Forced Draught Blowers, the tops of the Reserve Feedwater Tanks still - just - being discernible as a "ledge" in the central distance..
Image © Mr Richard Holme
Photograph 17 (34k)
Boiler-room HMS AURORA
This photograph is a continuation of the previous, and shows the forward part of AURORA's Boiler-room. The truncated FD Ducting supplying the Port Boiler can be clearly seen. (The "triangle" of the Cope's Regulator may just be discerned suspended in mid air in front of this). The Port and Starboard Boiler Drums can also be seen, and the method by which the Boiler Casings were combined at and above Drum level.
Image © Mr Richard Holme
Photograph 18 (19k)
FD Ductwork
The Forced Draught supply ducting is seen top-left, the access manway visible is immediately adjacent to where the ducting had been split in the previous view of AURORA. The mechanical part of the Cope's Regulator is immediately overhead, the Valve itself being clearly visible centrally.
Photograph 19 (20k)
HMS AURORA
This view is of AURORA in early 1997. The decking above the starboard side of the Boiler-room has been cut away to gain access. The Forced Draught Trunking can be clearly seen in the hole so formed. The Starboard Boiler is to the right, the Starboard Forced Draught Blower to the left.
Image © Mr Richard Holme
Photograph 20 (18k)
HMS EURALYUS
This photograph of EURALYUS dates from the27th April 1991, and shows the Superstructure partly stripped during breaking. The "Whip" Antenna behind the Stack are on the Emergency Conning Platform. In the space between these and the Mainmast lis the Boiler Combustion Air supply Intake, a rectangular trunking running vertically down through three decks to the suctions of the Forced Draught Blowers. The vertical shaft of the trunking can be accessed via a small manway on No.2 Deck, the lower level of which corresponds approximately to the sill of the Wharf in this view. The inlets to the trunking could be sealed by the operation of large flap dampers when the Boilers were shut down.
Image © Mr Richard Holme
Photograph 21 (26k)
Evaporator Pumps
The pumps and equipment visible are associated with the two seawater Evaporators located in the Boiler-room.
Photograph 22 (30k)
Evaporator Gauge Boards
The Gauge Boards for the Forward and Aft Evaporators.
Photograph 23 (25k)
Turbo-Alternator (1)
The LP end of the Boiler-room Turbo-Alternator. This machine, of 500kW capacity, was mounted on an intermediate platform on the Port side of the Compartment, (in that area where electrical switchgear is seen in the view of AURORA - Photograph 16).
Photograph 24 (24k)
Turbo-Alternator (2)
The Exciter and Main Alternator.
Photograph 25 (23k)
Main Engine Starting Platform
The Turbine Operating Position immediately forward of the Main Engines. The large Forward and Astern Throttles can be clearly seen.
Photograph 26 (22k)
Port Throttles
A close-up of the Port Engine Controls.
Photograph 27 (24k)
Starboard Controls (1)
Pressure Gauges, Rev Counters, and Telegraph at the Starboard Control Position.
Photograph 28 (16k)
Starboard Controls (2)
Further Gauges, mostly concerned with the Starboard Condensor, e.g. Extraction Pump discharge pressure. The brass panel gives a table of Main Circulator speed corresponding to Main Condensor Vacua.
Photograph 29 (22k)
Turbine Nozzle Control Valves
Here is seen the Valves atop the Starboard Turbine which sequentially control the opening of the Ahead Inlet Nozzle groups, (the extended Operating Gear rises vertically returning to the Control Position).
Photograph 30 (24k)
Starboard Turbine
Gauges in front of the Starboard Turbine - the four left gauges indicate Inlet, Wheelcase etc steam pressures, the smaller gauges on the right are concerned with Lubricating Oil pressures, Forward, Aft, and Thrust Bearings. These Gauges were directly visible from the Control Position. (The Inlet Nozzle Control Valves may just be made out above).
Photograph 31 (24k)
Port Turbine (1)
The same gauges on the Port Main Engine, the HP end of the Turbine Shaft below.
Photograph 32 (22k)
Port Turbine (2)
The HP Bearing and Gland, Lubricating Oil supply pipework visible.
Photograph 33 (19k)
Port Turbine (3)
A general view of the Port Main Engine. Forward and Astern (nearest) Admission Valves and Pipework can be seen. The unit on the left is the Port Stabiliser Hydraulic Gear, this equipment - retro-fitted at Refit - occupies the position formely taken by the Cruising Turbine. (Main Gearbox to lower right).
Photograph 34 (24k)
Starboard Turbine
Taken between the Engines, the Starboard Turbine is to the right. The metalwork shining in the background is the rear of the panels at the Main Engine Control Positions - Starting Platform.
Photograph 35 (29k)
Turbine Blading
This view is of the opened-up Starboard Turbine. Looking into the Exhaust Belt, the final stage of Impulse Ahead Blading is to the right. (Astern Blading is out of view to the left).
Photograph 36 (24k)
Port Gearbox
A general view of the Port Double Reduction Main Gearbox.
Photograph 37 (25k)
Turbine Shafts
Looking across the Engineroom from Starboard to Port, the Turbine Shafts can be seen entering the Gearing to the left.
Photograph 38 (25k)
Starboard Gearbox (1)
This view, looking downwards, shows the Starboard Turbine to top-left and Stabiliser Equipment to top-right. The space within the Gearbox formely occupied by the Cruising Train can be seen.
Photograph 39 (26k)
Starboard Gearbox (2)
The Starboard Gearbox, Primary Reduction Wheel Casing top-left, Turning Gear bottom. (The space which would have contained the Cruising Turbine Shaftwork can, again, be clearly seen).
Photograph 40 (25k)
Lubricating Oil Filters
Lubricating Oil Filters at the Engineroom After Bulkhead - six fitted. (Electricially and steam-driven Main and Standby Lub. Oil Pumps out of sight below).
Photograph 41 (22k)
Starboard Main Circulator
The Condensor Cooling Water inlet pipework is shown here - inlet to bottom-left, Condensor feed to bottom-right. The Main Circulating Pump steam Turbo drive is visible centrally. These are axial flow pumps, the impellor shafting entering the pipe at the bend seen.
Photograph 42 (24k)
Port Stabiliser Hydraulic Equipment
The Port Turbine and Stabiliser Gear. The two cylindrical objects visible to the left are Steam Calorifiers - Heat Exchangers for heating water
Photograph 43 (23k)
Engineroom Turbo-Alternator
A steam Turbo-Alternator set is fitted in the Starboard Ford' corner of the Engineroom.
Photograph 44 (19k)
Alternator
The 500kW Alternator. The gauges to the left are associated with the Starboard Main Circulator which is immediately below.
Photograph 45 (21k)
LP Air Compressor
One of the electrically-driven Air Compressors in the Engineroom, this unit being on the Starboard side adjacent to the Stabiliser Gear, (ex-Cruising Turbine).
Photograph 46 (23k)
CORVUS Chaff Launchers
Port Lookout Positions are CORVUS Chaff Launchers.
Photograph 47 (17k)
CORVUS Chaff Launchers
Port CORVUS Launcher.
Photograph 48 (21k)
Gun Director
Gun Director above Bridge.
Photograph 49 (21k)
Gun Director
Gun Director.
Photograph 50 (26k)
Gun Director AURORA
The Seacat (SAM) Director of HMS AURORA whilst vessel under demolition, (27-4-91). Note slight differences in configuration from the previous MRS3 Gun Director on which this unit was based.
Image © Mr Richard Holme
Photograph 51 (18k)
Foremast
Antenna arrangement, PLYMOUTH's Foremast.
Photograph 52 (28k)
Operations Room
Port side of Operations Room.
Photograph 53 (24k)
Sonar Suite
Types 177 or 184 Sonar Displays.
Photograph 54 (21k)
Seacat SAM Missile Magazine
Seacat Magazine, Starboard side 1 Deck.
Photograph 55 (18k)
Limbo Mortar Loading Gear
Pneumatic Power Loading Gear for Limbo Mortar, (seven man loading crew).
