Ambrose Greenway
Ambrose Greenway spent his formative years in the Cornish port of Fowey which firmly established his lifelong love of the sea and ships. An independent member of the House of Lords since 1975, he specializes in maritime affairs and is currently joint chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Ports & Maritime Group. He is an Elder Brother of Trinity House and past appointments have included President of Cruise Europe and The World Ship Society, and Chairman of The Marine Society, The Sail Training Association and The World Ship Trust. Publications include works on ferries, North Sea passenger ships, cargo liners and communist merchant ships.
Largest warship
The US Navy’s USS Gerald R Ford (CVN79) is the largest aircraft carrier and largest warship in the world. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding and commissioned on 22 July 2017, it displaces over 100,000 tons at full load on overall dimensions of 333 x 78 m (1,092 x 256 ft). It can carry upwards of 75 aircraft and uses a new electromagnetic launch system. Two nuclear reactors drive steam turbines and four shafts for a speed of over 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph). Its maximum crew of 4,539 persons is some 700 less than the preceding Nimitz class. John F Kennedy (CVN80), second of a proposed class of 10, is due to be commissioned in 2024.
Photo: U.S. Navy