Battery bang

Much more likely is that they were being had.

My guess also. I understand a fair bit about the technology, and know nothing at all about naval practice. I was moderately surprised to discover, recently, that the two new UK aircraft carriers don’t have nuclear propulsion. Only because I did a little googling after quite accidentally seeing one of them going up the Firth of Clyde.

@Clive

– the other place near there was the Reactor Design Centre & Apprentice Training School at Risley. Huge offices and workshops where I spent the summer before starting at QMC. I remember the offices there particularly for the paternoster lifts. I preferred the stairs…

Yes, it was at Risley that I had the interview and where I would have worked, and, funny thing, almost the only thing I remember that day were the lifts which had no doors and were constantly moving, you just had to jump on as it was moving. Is that what you mean by paternoster lifts?

Is that what you mean by paternoster lifts?

Exactly so. No idea why they’re called that. Perhaps because you pray to Our Father before using them?

No idea why they’re called that. Perhaps because you pray to Our Father before using them?

They removed them from the main block in Aston Uni just before I went there.
Something to do with incidents involving students who might have over-imbibed.
Pshaw!! When did an Aston student ever over imbibe? Except on days with a Y.

Exactly so. No idea why they’re called that. Perhaps because you pray to Our Father before using them?

Wikipedia suggests:
The name paternoster (“Our Father”, the first two words of the Lord’s Prayer in Latin) was originally applied to the device because the elevator is in the form of a loop and is thus similar to rosary beads used as an aid in reciting prayers.

Ah. Yes, that makes sense. I like my version too though 8~)

Something to do with incidents involving students who might have over-imbibed.

That was about the time I doing university interviews, and was told about attempts to remain in them when they went over the top and down the other side. I don’t think anyone was sure whether they inverted in the process. I did hear about one type that folded flat, but that could have been an urban myth.

Strange they didn’t use similar nuclear gear from the subs – they aren’t going to very quiet with medium speed diesels – with gas turbines boost.

Followed by a stream of oil tankers :-)

I wonder what dry dock they plan to use out East if they get problems.

If they carry nukes – Aus is not going to be very welcoming.

they aren’t going to very quiet with medium speed diesels

I don’t think aircraft carriers are expected to be particularly stealthy – and I doubt they normally carry nukes, either.

@Clive

Exactly so. No idea why they’re called that. Perhaps because you pray to Our Father before using them?

Yes, the penny dropped after I posted.

That was about the time I doing university interviews, and was told about attempts to remain in them when they went over the top and down the other side.

I did that once, in the one at the University of Leicester – going “over the top” wasn’t too bad as you were in the roof space which had a fair amount of natural light, but doing the same at the basement end was a bit disconcerting as you were in complete darkness.

I’ve never actually been inside one at all. I took one look at them and thought, “I’ll use the stairs, thanks.”

I’ve never actually been inside one at all. I took one look at them and thought, “I’ll use the stairs, thanks.”

Back in 1972 I did a short course at Oxford University. I can’t recall now which college it was at but the accommodation there used a paternoster. I’d never seen one before let alone knew what it was called but I couldn’t wait to give it a try. The idea of staying in it while it went over the top never entered my head but, had it done so, I’m sure I’d have given it a try.

The idea of staying in it while it went over the top never entered my head but, had it done so, I’m sure I’d have given it a try.

There’s the difference between places like Oxford and Aston:

Aston is a technical and engineering Uni and the students tend to be more practical, Oxford would examine the theory for years and then leave it to somewhere like Aston to put it into practice. :)