HMS Caledonia (base) explained

His Majesty’s Ship Caledonia
Nearest Town:Rosyth, Fife
Country:Scotland
Type:Military supply base
Coordinates:56.0322°N -3.4483°W
Pushpin Map:Scotland Fife
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the Kingdom of Fife
Pushpin Label:HMS Caledonia
Ownership:Royal Navy
Operator:Royal Navy
Controlled By:Royal Navy
Built:(current)
Used:1996-present
Condition:Operational

His Majesty’s Ship Caledonia (HMS Caledonia) is a military establishment of the Royal Navy based next to the former Royal Naval Dockyard, Rosyth in Scotland.

History

HMS Caledonia was first opened in 1937 and responsible for artificer apprentice training from 1937 to 1985, with many thousands of young men going through training. Following the consolidation of naval training in 1985, the site lost its training status with the former apprentice training moving to in Gosport. The site was subsequently reduced to become part of HMS Cochrane.[1] [2]

Just before the beginning of the Second World War, Boys' Training Ship Caledonia was based here.[3] By this time Admiral Sir Charles Ramsey, the Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth, responsible for naval operations in the area, was based at just down the road at the Dockyard.[4] [5]

In 1993 the Ministry of Defence announced plans to privatise Rosyth. Babcock International, who had bought out Thorn's share of the original Babcock Thorn consortium, was the only company to submit a bid and after protracted negotiations purchased the yard in January 1997. In 1996, following the decommissioning and privatisation of the Royal Naval Dockyard Rosyth, MoD Caledonia was opened on the site of the former dockyard.[6] [7] [8]

Following the Options for Change review and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the reserve unit was moved from Pitreavie Castle to HMS Caledonia, where it has been based ever since.

In 2018 concerns arose over the future of the site; it was reported that it could close in 2022, despite efforts to save it,[9] [10] [11] [12] this was later extended to 2026.[13] On 1 April 2023 it was renamed HMS Caledonia and its future is assured.[14]

Based units

See also

Footnotes

  1. Web site: Secret Scotland - HMS Caledonia. 2021-05-06. www.secretscotland.org.uk.
  2. Web site: In pictures: Prince Philip visiting Dunfermline. 2021-05-06. Dunfermline Press. en.
  3. Web site: August 1939. The Monthly Naval List for September 1939. 6 May 2021. Scottish National Archives.
  4. Web site: Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1919-1939. 2021-05-06. naval-history.net.
  5. Web site: Royal Navy Organisation in World War II, 1939-1945. 2021-05-06. naval-history.net.
  6. Web site: Completed acquisition by Babcock International Group plc of Devonport Management Limited. 19 March 2016. Office of Fair Trading.
  7. Web site: OCAAA. 2021-05-06. www.ocaaa.org.
  8. Web site: Ali Gibson. 18 November 2016. Where To Home Scotland's Baseless Troops. 2021-05-06. Forces Network. en.
  9. Web site: Smith. Craig. Fears highlighted over future of MOD Caledonia base in Fife. 2021-05-06. The Courier. en-GB.
  10. Web site: MP says closure is 'still on the cards' at HMS Caledonia. 2021-05-06. Dunfermline Press. en.
  11. Web site: MOD Caledonia. 2021-05-06. TheyWorkForYou. en.
  12. News: MoD Cuts: The Royal Navy. en. Forces Network. 2021-05-06.
  13. Web site: Disposal database: House of Commons report. 12 July 2022.
  14. Web site: Rosyth site secure after transfer back to Royal Navy . Royal Navy . 1 April 2023.
  15. Web site: Smith. Craig. New Commanding Officer at Fife-based HMS Scotia celebrates 'career ambition realised'. 2021-05-06. The Courier. en-GB.
  16. Web site: MOD Caledonia - Rosyth. 2021-05-06. wikimapia.org. en.
  17. Web site: Sea Cadet Training Centre Caledonia. 2021-05-06. British Rowing. en-GB.

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