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Help please - what do I search for?

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HurdyGurdy Wed 01-Dec-21 12:11:38

My husband was in the Navy way back when, and has very fond memories of his time spent on the warships.

He has finally, after many many years, built himself a (massive!) shed/workshop, and has said that he'd like to get a replica of the step/plate that was on a ship when you stepped off the gangplank onto the ship. He mentioned that you can get them made with the ship's name on them.

I'd really like to get one for him, hopefully for Christmas, with the name of his first ship (HMS Fife) but I don't know what to search for. I want it to be a surprise, so don't want to ask him directly.

I've searched for "ship's plate" "step plate" etc, but all I'm getting back is ceramics or crockery.

Can anyone suggest a better search term so I can try and find what I am looking for?

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Sago Wed 01-Dec-21 12:18:32

www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjwzrG8ysL0AhUMEcAKHYfSAzIQFnoECAQQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.trinitymarine.co.uk%2Fproduct-category%2Fbells-builders-plates%2Fships-builder-plates%2F&usg=AOvVaw1pSRZCW64aQxDiW_Ya5eIJ

Is this what you mean?

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LindaPat Wed 01-Dec-21 12:22:52

Hi HurdyGurdy

Not sure if this is what you're looking for but try searching for 'tread plate'

Can't find a link to replicas though, and the originals cost a fortune!

Hope someone else has the answer.

Take care xx

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Nannashirlz Wed 01-Dec-21 12:24:42

If I was you I would contact the navy and explain to them what you after. As I did the same thing for my dad year before he died. Only with RAF

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Germanshepherdsmum Wed 01-Dec-21 12:31:18

Wikipedia has a huge glossary of nautical terms, you may find what you're looking for there. I started looking and had to give up as there are so many. Alternatively if you search for HMS Fife there are a few items of memorabilia you can get engraved but no sign of this step thingy!

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HurdyGurdy Wed 01-Dec-21 12:31:52

Thank you.

Sago, that's the kind of thing he wants inserted into the - what I now know to be called - tread plate (thanks to LindaPat)

LindaPat - yes that's exactly what I'm looking for - but unfortunately that's way over budget. Unless the national lottery turns up trumps, he's got no chance grin.

Back to the drawing board for a "shed warming" gift.

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Bluebellwould Wed 01-Dec-21 12:40:29

Could you get a photo or picture of the tread plate and frame it for him? He could hang it in the shed as a reminder.

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Alima Wed 01-Dec-21 15:50:50

Have asked DH, he is ex RN but all he can think of at the moment is the long tarpaulin with the ship’s name that was strung along the gangplank which isn’t very helpful I know. Have a look on the forever jack website, loads of RN stuff on there. Have seen they do A4 size metal wall signs. You can choose your own wording, maybe HMS Fife with the ship’s crest?
Saw some brass navy signs on Etsy, maybe you could get one of those to be fitted to the threshold to the shed?
Hopefully you can find something which will be suitable for Christmas even if the elusive plate doesn’t appear before his birthday, happy hunting.

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