The gigantic steel structure, the height of a four-storey Glasgow tenement, was today being moved on to a super sized barge in preparation for a sea journey round the Scottish coastline.
Hundreds of remote controlled transporters were being used to move the 11,000 tonne block on to one of the world's biggest barges from the quayside at the BAE Systems shipyard at Govan.
The operation began at first light after a technical problem linked to a ballast system delayed the switch from land to water for 24 hours, as reported in later editions of last night's Evening Times.
It was expected to take several hours for 450 transporters to move the structure, before dozens of workmen were able to begin the lengthy task of fastening and welding the 80metre tall block to the barge deck.
The entire operation will take more than two weeks before the barge and key personnel travel slowly long the Clyde and out to sea at the start of a five-day journey to Rosyth, where the Queen Elizabeth carrier is being assembled.
She will be Britain's biggest warship and is being constructed in sections at yards across the UK including Govan and Scotstoun.
The Clyde-built section, known as LBO4, will form part of the hull and will contain two main engine rooms, a hospital complex, dentist and galley for senior officers.
There are a host of other features such as accommo-dation for 242 berths.
Another hull section built in the yards of Glasgow has already been taken by sea to Fife where more than 350 Clyde workers are helping on the final assembly.
Until now the steel struct-ure was mostly hidden in a huge shed at Govan, but today enthusiasts can see the block as workers ready it for a 600-mile journey by sea.
It's set to leave Govan on Saturday, November 3.
gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk
