HMS Reclaim


HMS Reclaim was a deep diving and submarine rescue vessel of the British Royal Navy. She was originally intended to be the King Salvor-class ocean salvage vessel Salverdant and was fitted with specialised equipment including underwater television cameras and sonar and echosounding apparatus. She was also equipped for submarine rescue work.
At the time of her commissioning in 1949, Reclaim was the Royal Navy's only vessel capable of carrying out deep diving operations. Upon completion Reclaim was attached to HMS Vernon, Portsmouth as a diving tender.

Operational service

HMS Reclaim served as a filming location for the Doctor Who serial "The Sea Devils" in 1971.
It was the last British warship to have sails. Although rarely used, they could add half a knot to her speed.