Illustrious at Walker on 15 June 1982 - three days before delivery and the day after fighting in the Falklands ended. This is the only occasion in fifty-odd years of photographing ships that I've been challenged by a police officer. At that time I travelled to Walker each day by driving up the south side of the river, across the swing bridge and along the quayside, thereby avoiding the delights of the Tyne Tunnel and taking the opportunity to see such shipping as there was at Newcastle. On this morning, knowing that I would not be able to take any pictures of the departure as I'd be on board, I'd taken the opportunity to go down the the Hebburn riverside park to take some pictures. Whilst I was busily snapping away a panda car (that must have been heavily camouflaged - I certainly didn't see it on my way in!) appeared and the officer aasked me to explain myself. A few minutes chat, sight of my shipyard pass and a radio call to verify my car registration convinced him that I was an upstanding citizen and we parted amicably after I'd taken my pictures. I was impressed that external security was taken so seriously, and more so a few years later when it was revealed that Spanish authorities had frustrated a plan to attempt a frogmen attack on shipping in Gibraltar.
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 10:00 pm