Saturday 5 April 2025

The University of Greenwich, Maritime Campus, 30 Park Row, Greenwich, SE10 9LS.

NDS conferences are sponsored by the Society for Nautical Research

Dockyard and Shipyard support for the Battle of the Atlantic in the Second World War

With just a bit over 7 weeks to go now would be a good time to register for our Conference at Greenwich. To register please visit the Naval Dockyard Society Website and scroll down to the second page where you’ll find the registration form.

The Venue

The event will be held in King William Building Lecture Theatre KW002 and KW003 for Registration & Catering.
This beautiful venue is across the road from our usual venue which is unavailable due to refurbishment.
Access is via the entrance to the King William Building (see pictures) which faces Romney Road and the National Maritime Museum. For Campus layout maps and transport directions see all maps below.

The Conference

We have created a superb programme featuring an international cast of speakers. Papers presented at the Conference will be delivered in person to conference delegates whilst simultaneously webcast worldwide. At a subsequent date all papers are published in the NDS Journal Transactions book of conference papers.

The Programme

9.30 – 11.00  REGISTRATION  –  Coffee/Tea/Biscuits

10.00-10.50 Annual General Meeting (NDS members only)*2

11.00–12.45 Morning Conference: UK Shipyard facilities.

11.00–11.35 Dr Andrew Jeffrey, “North-Western Approaches – the vital contribution of the River Clyde to victory in the Battle of the Atlantic.”

11.35–12.10 Dr Ian Buxton  “Britain’s Shipbuilding and Repair Yards’ Contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic.”

12.10–12.45 Martin Lawrence, “A River at War: The River Tyne, 1939–1945, a powerful hub of shipbuilding and ship repair.”

12.45–1.45 Buffet Lunch

1.45–4.30 Afternoon Conference: Intelligence & Winning the U-Boat War. 

1.45–2.20 Dr Samantha Middleton, “The enduring legacy of the Battle of the Atlantic on intelligence outposts within UK dockyards.”

2.20–2.55 Dr David Kohnen, “Now It Can be Told: The WAVES of Combat Intelligence and the U.S. Navy Capture of U-505 in the Second World War.”

2.55–3.05 Afternoon Break

3.05–4.30 Afternoon Conference continued: Long-range WW2 US shipyard support & the Cold War impact on UK dockyards.

3.05–3.40 Anna Gibson Holloway, “Ugly Ducklings” in Charm City: “The U.S. Maritime Commission’s Emergency Shipbuilding Program in Baltimore.”

3.40–4.15 Dr Edward Hampshire, “Preparing to fight a third battle of the Atlantic: The home dockyards during the Cold War.”

4.15–4.30 Questions (15 mins)
4.30 END

*2 NDS Membership – How to join:The AGM is only open to NDS members. Membership is open to individuals, students and institutions. Standard membership includes the delivery of two electronic Dockyards newsletters a year and a hardcopy and e-pub Transactions journal. Details can be found here

Parking
There is no free parking except for disabled access. There is payable parking on Park Row run by Greenwich Council. Please contact Ann in advance if you wish to park there a[email protected]