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GEC WITTON WORKS

The second John Biscoe was built by Fleming and Ferguson Ltd, Paisley, for the Falkland Island Dependencies Survey (FIDS). According to the Witton News, she was an 'all-electric ship and the whole of her equipment was designed and built by the GEC'.
Launched in 1956, passengers on her maiden voyage included HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, visiting some of the FIDS research stations during the 1956/57 season.
Initially the ship operated as a cargo vessel to resupply FIDS – later British Antarctic Survey – research stations. Increasingly she supported hydrographic and marine biology surveys, and geological landings. Her final voyage with British Antarctic Survey took place during the 1990/91, returning to Grimsby on 10 May 1991. She was scrapped in 2004.img20250726_13534124.jpgimg20250726_13541970.jpgimg20250726_13550366.jpg
 
Martyn said:
The second John Biscoe was built by Fleming and Ferguson Ltd, Paisley, for the Falkland Island Dependencies Survey (FIDS). According to the Witton News, she was an 'all-electric ship and the whole of her equipment was designed and built by the GEC'.
Launched in 1956, passengers on her maiden voyage included HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, visiting some of the FIDS research stations during the 1956/57 season.
Initially the ship operated as a cargo vessel to resupply FIDS – later British Antarctic Survey – research stations. Increasingly she supported hydrographic and marine biology surveys, and geological landings. Her final voyage with British Antarctic Survey took place during the 1990/91, returning to Grimsby on 10 May 1991. She was scrapped in 2004.View attachment 206027View attachment 206029View attachment 206031
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The diesel generator/sets used on that ship and the related controls are very advanced for the time! I say this from my almost 10 years at Cummins who currently a global leader in power generation. I wonder why GEC did not leverage their technology which included controls?
 
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