A report that work on docks 10 and 14 could be accelerated receives a cautious response. Clarke and Dan recall seeing a model and an explanation of accelerated dockyard work at a naval conference roughly three or four years earlier. That earlier presentation is the reason for withholding confidence until progress is visible. Dock 10 is recalled as originally due for completion in 2027. The criticism concerns the repeated announcement of faster delivery rather than a completed improvement in submarine-support capacity.
Notable Point · 3:14:26-3:16:10
Devonport dock work and repeated promises of acceleration
Reports of faster work on Devonport docks 10 and 14 are met with scepticism based on earlier plans and conference presentations.