H.M.C.S. Haida, Hamilton, ON

[sksvlad]

I visited this British built destroyer with my twins https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Haida. Very cool experience, the ship combines elements of new with remnants of very archaic, like open air control deck with wood trimming and hollow brass communication conduits so you can scream at some poor soul in the belly of the ship.
Question. What are 2 round glass windows on either side of the open air ship control deck? What's their function? You'll see my hand rotating one of them. They were turned by an electric motor.

 

[gravelbelly]

The spinning glass windows were known as "Clearview" or maybe "Clearvu" windows. They were switched on to spin spray or rain off and thereby allow a clear view through. More efficient than automobile type windscreen wipers.

The Bofors gun info board incorrectly labels them as "Boffins"!

gravelbelly

 

[TimG]

The Bofors gun info board incorrectly labels them as "Boffins"!

gravelbelly

That's what I thought until I read the board and checked elsewhere. A 40mm Boffin is a 40mm Bofors (single) on a Mounting Mark V (20mm Oerlikon or QF 2 Pr).

TimG

 

[kiwieod]

boffins was a nickname for scientists and codebreakers at Bletchley and other places