HMS “BARCROSS”

This is a change for me building in monochrome as it were,

but it is an unusual subject and I built it from photos taken in South Africa.

Are there any Cape Town modellers looking in as the real vessel is at Cape Town maritime museum as the SAN “SOMERSET” ?

Hello Bob,

BARCROSS is 44inches long with 8inch beam and weighs in at 26lbs and is just a handy size for me now.

There were 72 of this class built during the war and she is the only one left and is presrved at Cape Town having served in the South African Navy as SAS "SOMERSET".

The black painted horns at the bow are for lifting the large cylindrical Admiralty mooring buoys that were part of the anti submarine booms that were put across harbour entrances. She had very powerful winches but you can’t see them as they are situated enclosed under the bridge with swing doors for access.  Single screw steam reciprocating engines and I believe coal fired originally,  with one gun on the aft end.

They were also used for recovery at times of anything on the sea bed.      Sandy

Bob

The total weight loaded is 26lbs. That is with a 12volt 10amp/hr gel battery and radio and their hydride cells and lead ballast in my substantial 1/8" thick fibre glass hull.

I suppose it is still a fair weight for size of boat.