Rothesay class Frigate (1959)

Royal Navy, Type 12M or Rothesay-class frigates:
12(21) ordered and completed (+ 2 RNZN, 3 SAFN), service 1960-1990: F101, 103, 106, 107, 108, 113, 115, 126, 129.

The Rothesay or Type 12M frigates were a derivative of the 1950s Whitby class as 1st-rate ocean-going convoy escorts but there was so potential of the design it was converted as a fast fleet anti-submarine warfare escort as an improved Type 12 design with the M standed for “modified”, called the Rothesay class after the lead vessel and a total of twelve were ordeered for the RN, with the lead ship laid down in 1956, just two years after the last of the Whitby class. This was a successful and popular design also ordered by the South African Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy, and in service for the first until 1990 as the President Kruger class. The Rothesay class served with distinction in the Falklands War, 16 were retired, 5 sunk as target and one lost by accident for a total of 21 ships. The class proved highly adaptable and and was further modified into the Leander-class (Type 12I).

Development

An improved design across the board

The Type 12M Frigates took the hull design of the Type 12 as starying point. The first allowed high cruising speed in heavy seas and it was critical to the success of ASW in the Northa Atlantic and North Sea, and proved capable of dealing wit the new generation of high-speed Soviet nuclear-powered submarine such as the November class. Armament and propulsion were just repeated from the Whitby class.
However there were major external differences:
-The enlarged raked and streamlined funnel (which later was fitted on the Whitbys in refits)
-The modified after deckhouse which was enlarged to support and reload a SeaCat anti-aircraft missile launcher
-The associated GWS-20 director and handling rooms for the Sea Cat.
The first ships in class however were commissioned in 1961-61 and the Sea Cat was still not available. So in the meantime, either a twin Bofors 40 mm gun in the infaous STAAG mounting or single Bofors 40 mm gun and Mk.7 mount in place.
-The arrangement of the torpedo tubes: Four fixed tubes aft angled at 45° on each beam close to the trainable twin mounting
On this chapter, no suitable weapon ever ended its developed for these tubes and they ended unused or never fitted in the first place.

Internal differences were the following:
-Electrical generation capacity increased to handle the increasing demands from improved electronics.
-Accommodation standards improved, partial bunking and air conditioning.
In the end, the success of the Rothesay design led after further omprovements to the excellent general purpose Leander-class frigate or “Type 12I”.

Design of the class

Hull and general design

Powerplant

The main asset of the Whitby had been their classic steam powerplant able to match the latest Soviet SSN speeds, albeit with some decrease in range. The Rothesay repeated the formula. They came equipped with the very same Y-100 plant featuring two Babcock & Wilcox boilers coupled on two English Electric steam turbines for a total output of 30,000 shp (22,000 kW), a power passed on 2 shafts with a service top speed at 30 knots (56 km/h). Range, based on 400 tons oil fuel was of 5,200 nautical miles (9,630 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h) thanks to many internal changes toi crease the fuel tanks capacity, one main criticism of the Whitbys, which only could carry 370 tons oil fuel for a range of 4,200 nmi (7,780 km) at the same speed.

Rothesay class HMS Plymouth

⚙ Type 12M specifications as built 1960
Displacement	2,150 long tons (2,185 t) standard, 2,560 long tons (2,600 t) full load
Dimensions	370 ft x 41 ft x 17 ft 3 in (110 x 12 x 5.3 m)
Propulsion	2 shafts Y-100 plant, 2× BW boilers, 2 EE GST 30,000 shp (22,000 kW)
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Range	5,200 nautical miles at 12 knots
Armament	1×2 QF 4.5 inch Mk 6, 1x Bofors Mark 7, Mark 10 Limbo ASWRL, 12x 21-in TTs*
Air Group	Helipad, Westland Wasp helicopter (No Hangar)
Sensors	Radars type 293Q, 975, 277Q, 974, 1010, 903, Sonars type 174, 170
Crew	253

The MATCH revolution (1965)

Apart the modifications seen above, which were very substantial, based on the same hull as the Whitbys, the ASW capability of the Rothesay was later further enhanced compared to the Whitbys and game-changing. Indeed since the Type 12 was designed, USSR went from classic diesel-electric boats like the Project 613 or NATO Whiskey to the revolutionat Project 627 Kit (NATO November), the first Soviet union SSNs, capable of 30+ knots. On paper, they could out-run any existing escorts apart converted WW2 destroyers. This was one of the main incentive for the FRAM program in the USN, but the RN was more budget-restricted and chose another approach.

These speeds forced a detection and engagement of targets much further away from a task force. Detection fortunately made leap forward since WW2 and there new sonar designs avalable or in development such as the Type 177 search and Type 199 Variable depth. The greater range forced to adopt a solution which was called in the Royal Navy as the MATCH (Medium-range Anti-submarine Torpedo Carrying Helicopter) system. It rested essentially on sonar long range detection and a Westland Wasp HAS.1 ightweight navalised helicopter (a development of the Saro P.531 and Westland Scout, see later) for these fast and long range strikes.

This helicopter was small enough to enter a small hangar and tiny flight deck that was compatible with the Type 12 hull. As small as they were, these helicopters still could carry two anti-submarine homing torpedoes pf the US Mark 44 or 46 types. This was well ahead of the range of the Limbo anti-submarine mortars. However this was not intended as designed on the Type 12M, so when the system was setup, all Type 12M had to be modified and modernised, starting with Rothesay from 1966 and until 1972.

The modifications needed were substantial indeed:
-The after superstructure was removed and foremost Limbo mortar, plated over, creating a small flight deck.
-A small hangar was constructed forward of the flight deck and the GWS-20 SeaCat launcher and director installed above.
-The mainmast was replaced by an enclosed design with the Type 1010 IFF antennas
-The funnel height was increased to disperse better hot exhaust gasses and reduced IR signature.
-The electronics were upgraded considerably (see later).
-A new and large enclosed foremast replaced lattice one with the “quarter cheese” antennas of the Type 993 target indicator.
-The MRS3 Mod 3 system and radar Type 903 replaed the Mark 6M director.
-The more automated and compact MRS3 with transistor electronics and analogue computers replaced the Type 277Q height finder.
-Active protection was enhanced by the installation of the Knebworth/Corvus 3-in countermeasures launchers abadft the bridge
-Two 20 mm Oerlikon guns were installed to deal with asymetric threats and last-ditch anti-aircraft defence.
All this brought the Rothesays on par with the next Leander-class Frigates.
Still, the last four Leanders kept and edge over them with the installation of a Doppler full spectrum 184 sonar for a clearer faster-read sonar, plus they had a longer range air warning and better AD capabilities and communication decks. The Rothesays in comparison remained hadrcore anti-submarine frigates and just were seen as specialists of that single purpose.

⚙ Type 12M as refitted 1966-70
Displacement	2,880 long tons (2,418 t) standard, 2,800 long tons (2,845 t) full load
Armament	1×2 QF 4.5 in Mk 6, 1x Sea Cat SAM, Mark 10 Limbo ASWRL, 2x 20mm Oerlikon
Air Group	Helipad, Westland Wasp helicopter and Hangar
Sensors	See notes
Crew	253

Armament

QF Mk.VI mod 1 4.45-inch (113 mm)

If the Mark V was an old design, the Mark VI was a further development of the Mark IV for AA with remote power control (RPC) and high rate-of-fire assisted by automatic ramming. The mount was the UD Mark VI with separate high-angle and low-angle hoists for AA and SAP/HE rounds and a third for cartridges.
Specs:
Shell Fixed or Separate QF 113mm 640–645 mm R
24 rpm (12 rpm hand loaded backup)
Muzzle velocity: 2,449 ft/s (746 m/s)[4]
Max range 20,750 yd (18,970 m) at 2,449 ft/s (746 m/s), ceiling 41,000 ft (12,500 m).

40mm Mark 7 Bofors

Only Rothesay sported the STAAG mount, later replaced as it was not successful. While waiting for Sea Cat missiles, a single mount with the trusted Mark 7 mounted was added on all ships, aft of the mainmast. This rock-solid WW2 proven system was gravity fed, manually, with 40×311mmR 0.9 kg (2 lb 0 oz) 40 mm (1.57 in) rounds.
It used automatic extraction and integrated cam-operated recoil powered autoloader and a vertical sliding-wedge breech.
Each mount weighted 522 kg (1,151 lb), far less than a STAG mount and could elevate to +90° at 55°/s for 120-140 rounds/min at 850–880 m/s (2,800–2,900 ft/s) and 7,160 m (7,830 yd).
They were radar guided thanks to the GWS-21 system also working later for the Seacat.

21-in (533 mm) Torpedo Tubes

Like the Whitby class, the Rothesay shared the same twelve 21-inch (533 mm) in four pairs anti-submarine torpedo tubes in angled fixed mountings at the beam, but the associated ASW torpedoes which were developed were all cancelled. The latter were notably the infamous Mark 20 torpedo. They were never nearly fast enough to catch their intended target and were never deployed.
The tubes on the first ships were removed or they were never installed in the latter vessels.

Sea Cat SAM (1965+)

The Seacat was a short-range surface-to-air missile designed by Short and in service in 1962, so County class ships in construction could be completed by two systems installed on the broadside, each with four missiles. They were light enough to be reloaded by hand. Contrary to the Sea slug they enjoyed a considerable export success.

Specs

Missile length : 1480 mm (58,29 inch)
Wing span : 650 mm (25,6 inch)
Body diameter motor : 191 mm (7,62 inch)
Missile weight : 62,71 kg (138,25 Lb)
Weight continuous rod warhead : 13,83 kg (30,65 Lb)
Operational range : 500 to 5000 mtrs
Speed : Mach 0,8 (272,24 mtrs/sec).
Operational oil pressure on steering cilinders during flight : between 79 and 103 Bar (1150 to 1500 lbf/ in2)
Guidance system : CLOS (Command Line Of Sight) and radio link

Triple 12-in Limbo Mk 10 ASWRL

The ASW defence was located aft of the twin funnels, close to the helipad.
Developed in 1950 as replacement for the Squid, the Limbo became widespread, also fitted to the Australian Daring class DDs, updated cold war River class frigates, RCN destroyers, and SAF President class Frigates. The mounts could traverse fully, the three mortars could be angled up and down and fire a 12 inches (30 cm) 400 lb depth charge from 400 yards (366 m) to 1,000 yards (914 m). The 94 kilograms (207 lb) Minol Warhead could use both proximity and/or time fuse. The whole system was slaved to the Type 170 sonar for traverse and bearing to gain reaction time. It created a pattern of three explosive charges roughly around the expected target location, creating a combined pressure wave with devastating effects. The Limbo remained active until the 1980s.

Sensors

Type 293Q target indication, later Type 993
Type 277Q height finding (later removed)
Type 275 fire control on director Mark 6M
Type 262 fire control radar on STAAG (Only Rothesay)
Type 974 navigation radar
Type 1010 Cossor Mark 10 IFF
Sonar Type 174 search
Sonar Type 162 target classification
Sonar Type 170 attack

Type 293Q Radar

A ww2 aerial search radar that entered service after 1945. Compared to the M and P, the Q version had the same peal power of 500 Kw,; same frequency at 2,997 MH and 100 mm wavelenght, a beamwidth of 3.2° Range of 20 nmi (37 km; 23 mi) and alt. 20,000 ft (6,100 m).

Type 993 Radar

Designated replacement for the model above, the 993 is a short-range, general-purpose radar for air and surface search and target designation with the famous “quarter cheese” shape antenna to prevents the feed horn from obstructing the main radar beam. When matched with the transceiver of the Plessey AWS-4 it is called the Type 994.

Type 277Q HFR

This old surface search and early warning radar was modernized as the Mark IV, using the CV56 magnetrons at 70 kW and a new waveguide system to feed the antennas. They were installed from May 1942 onwards and still in use in 1960.

Type 974 Navigation Radar

Type 974 was operating in X band surface warning and navigation radar for British destroyers and frigates. Commercial Decca Marine Radar Type 12, separated for transmitting and receiving reflector unit, pedestal unit, motor scanner drive. The R.F. head houses a modulator, transmitter and R.F. section of the receiver. 1000 HZ, 7 KW P, 25 nm range (46 km).

Type 275 Gunnery FCR/Mk.6M

A WW2 radar gunnery system used for the 4.5 inches turret. Operating in the F band with a separate Transmitter and receiver antennas in nacelles that are air conditioned for their operators. It uses the principle of Conical Scan on Receive Only but could provide accurate range, bearing and elevation of any in flight target. 500Hz, 400 KW PP and range 16 nm or 30 km.

Type 1010 Cossor IFF

Model operating in the L band IFF Mark Ⅹ secondary radar interrogating targets on Modes 1, 2, 3/A or C or a sequence of interlaced modes. It produces video outputs to external processing equipment and provides synchronizing and suppression pulses for external equipment with sidelobes suppression facilities. 2KW PP, operating in the 1030-1090 MhZ band and PRF 150-450 HZ.

Type 262 GWS-1 FCR

Type 262 at first was used by the STAAG 40mm Bofor mount. Developed in 1958 it is operating in the X band naval fire control radar for 40 mm anti-aircraft gunnery or for “Sea Cat” close-range surface-to-air missiles. The antenna used the principle of conical scan with a fixed feeding point but with slightly eccentric rotating parabolic reflector.
frequency: 9.67 GHz
pulse repetition frequency (PRF): 1.5 kHz
pulsewidth (τ): 0.5 µs
peak power: 30 kW
instrumented range: 29 NM (≙ 54 km)
beamwidth: 5.2°

GWS 20

The Seacat missile system installed used the GWS 20 optically guided system on the modernized Rothesay-class frigates.

Sonar suite: Type 174, 170, 162

The Type 174 was a Medium range passive search sonar. The Type 170 was introduced in 1950, fitted under a dome that was tear-dropped shaped. Inside was a double faced oscillator that could be rotated electrically, and either face of the oscillator could be shut off from the sonar control room. Frequency range 14 to 22 Kcs. The last piece of the suite was the Type 162 used for target classifications, see below.

Type 162 Cockchafer bottom profiling sonar

side-looking and bottom-scanning shipboard sonar. Classifies objects at mid-depth and on the sea floor, the three transducers working together to provide a profile of the area surrounding the ship. The starboard and port transducers look to the sides, and the centre transducer looks downward.

Active Protection

UA-8/9 ECM suite. No data.
Two Corvus decoy RL: Cylindrical rotating structure that carries eight launching tubes mounted in two sets of three (one above the other) and crossed at 90° in azimuth. Two further tubes are set above this arrangement and are aligned midway between the other tubes, all at a fixed elevation of 30°. A deck-mounted pedestal supports the rotating structure on its training bearing and houses a self-contained electrical power conversion unit for the control circuits and associated electrical equipment. The training drive consists of a gearbox driven by a reversible motor.

Air Group

Westland Wasp HAS.1 helicopter of 829 Naval Air Squadron in 1967.
The innovation in the design was the presence of a small (quite cramped) rooftop helipad located aft, close to the “X” gun turret, and sandwiched between it and the ASW mortar.
There was no hangar, thus the helicopter needed to be solidly strapped under waterproof canvas when not in use. Not an issue in tropical waters, but a problem later in their career.
They carried the Wasp Helicopter, a lightweight piston-powered model just developed and usable as scout mostly (first flight 1962).

It was developed from the Saro P.531 to fit on small ships such as frigates and destroyers. It was limited to 104 kn (120 mph, 193 km/h) and a range of 263 nmi (303 mi, 487 km) but could carry a large payload of armaments and carry four personal. In ASW role the Wasp could carry two Mk.44 or a single Mk.46 acoustic torpedo or two Mk.11 depth charges, or even a WE.177 600lb tactical nuclear depth bomb. In an antiship role, it could also carry four SS.11 or two larger AS.12 missiles. The ARA Santa Fe was sunk by those missiles in 1982.

Last Modernizations

In 1978, Rothesay entered another major refit which cost of £33.4 million was necessary for another decade of useful servicen follwoed by HMS Yarmouth and Plymouth in 1981. This included fitting of the Type 994 short range warning radar and target indicator Plessy AWS1 for faster screen data in the operations room. This made them more capable to spot Argentine Aicrafts at a distance and thus made them more useful in the Falklands War. The planned refits of HMS Rhyl, Brighton, Berwick and Falmouth with the long range 2031 passive towed array capable of detection ranges up to 100 miles (160 km) plus were not voted after the Falklands War. HMS Berwick and Falmouth were twice deployed in the area for post-war patrols in 1982–83, and Rhyl suffered mechanical failure whereas HMS Brighton was scrapped after the 1981 Nott Defence Review.

A Valuable Service

RFA Tarbatness (A345) underway with HMS Berwick F115 and HMS_Plymout F125_in_1976

The Rothesays remained active in the 1970s as main ASW vessels of the fleet, taking part in all task forces until the “East of Suez policy”. Their successful performance, ability for sustained operation in rough North Atlantic sea conditions were hightlighted in particular in the 1976 Cod War, and showed the the ability to restrict Soviet submarine penetration in the famous GIUK (Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap) as the Cold War intensified in the late 1970s. The naval budget under PM James Callaghan enabed to keep the Rothesays into the 1980s with a second main refit. Plymouth, Yarmouth, and Rothesay were thus modified under two year in 1978–81 with important updates

But by 1982, the ones not refitted were relegated to the Standby Squadron, close to disposal after the 1981 defence review, with the three refitted vesses to follow in 1983-85. However, the Falklands War saw Plymouth and Yarmouth sent in icy southern waters with the the task force, Plymouth being later praised as one of the most active in this formation. Her work was facilitated by the lack of modern Argentine submarines, apart the Salta class submarines (1972) which were modified German Type 209 (they were capable of only 11 knots underwater) and the four GUPPY II were noisy and relatively easy to detect.

HMS Yarmouth and Andromeda astern of Cardiff

The class proved highly seaworthy in the South Atlantic winter, enabling post-war patrols the assessment in performance was later revised. In this war, the Seacat failed to achieve indeed a single kill from Yarmouth and Plymouth, apart a single claimed shared hit on Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Plymouth’s Wasp helicopter was the one however which sank the GUPPY II ARA Santa Fe with its AS-12 missile, surfaced, prevented her from diving already by depth charges from HMS Antrim and a Wessex and a Lynx close by. On 1 May, Yarmouth and the Type 22 frigate HMS Brilliant detected ARA San Luis of the modern Salta class (Type 209), which fired an SST-4 torpedo but missed was huntered down by Yarmouth.

She started a 20 hours chases, between mortar, torpedo (from the wasp) and depth charge attacks but failed to sink her, showing the level of discretion of the German design, but also inability of the Rothesay class in their ASW role against a slow-moving model.
In the following weeks, the lack of modern sonar or link 10 data further degraded their image. Indeed Yarmouth failed to spot the second firing of an Exocet and may have decoyed it successfully with chaff it fired.

HMS Brighton unlike the others were still refitted for post war service, like Berwick and Falmouth retained in high readiness as part of the standby squadron but the further long refit as towed array frigates was never voted. HMS Lowestoft was only tested in this role. Berwick had still three years og operational service until mid 1985 but ultimately the class was paid off throughout the 1980s, Rothesay being the last as she had been the first, in 1988, showing the longest service of them all. In 1980s standards, the tiny Wasp appeared short-ranged and slow, now obsolete as the Leanders were upgraded in between to carry the lightyears ahead more capable Westland Lynx.

Otago class (1960)

The New Zealand Navy ordered two Type 12 ships in February 1957, with ex-HMS Hastings transferred as HMNZS Otago while under construction, but Taranaki ordered directly from the builders. They they were different in tha they had bunk rather than hammock bedding and different messing arrangements, plus they were fitted with Seacat missiles in 1964, with a swap from theor Mark 5 Bofors. Otago and Taranaki had also the original torpedo tibes, and they came with a delvery of Mk 20 heavyweight anti-submarine torpedoes until removed by 1965. At 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) they were indeed hoepeless to catch the latest Sviet SSNs. Instead, they were removed and replacved by Mk 32 tubes to fire Mk 44/46 12.75-inch US lightweight torpedoes supplied in 1971 as surplus from life-expired as part of the USN Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization destroyers program.

The Limbo mortars were also removed in a major refit from July 1974 albeit this was opposed by some RNZN officers on the grounds they remained effective for warning. Taranaki als received gas turbines. However after 1981 both were placed in reserve as New Zealand acquired now surplus Leander-class frigates. F111 HMNZS Otago, was orogonally laid down for the RN at JI Thornycroft Ltd, Southampton on February 1956 but transferred while under construction a year later in February 1957 and re-ordered for the RNZN, laid down on 5 September 1957, launched on 11 December 1958, but accepted in service and commissioned on 22 June 1960. She was stricken in 1983.
Her sister F148 HMNZS Taranaki was ordered from JS White & Co Ltd, Cowes, Isle of Wight by the RNZ government, laid down on 27 June 1958, launched on 19 August 1959 and commissioned on 28 March 1961. She was stricken in 1982, and sold for BU.

President class Frigate (1962)

President Kruger
Under the 1955 Simon’s Town Agreement, the South African Navy had to purchase modern anti-submarine frigates, coastal minesweepers and defence boats from Britain as part of the agreement to defend the sea routs around Southern Africa. With the acquisition of the SAS Vrystaat (Type 15 frigate) in 1956, the South African government continued with its expansion program by placing an order at the British yards in 1957 for the construction of three new modified Type 12 anti-submarine frigates or Rothesay class frigates as they would subsequently be known as in British service.
The Type 12 was designed for high speed, manoeuvrability, and good seakeeping. In total twelve of the Rothesay class frigates were laid down for the Royal Navy with the addition of two Rothesay class frigates built for the New Zealand Navy, six for the Royal Australian Navy under the designation River class and three build for the South African Navy under the designation “President class”.

Gallery

HMS Rhyl

HMS Londonderry in drydock

Career of the Rothesay class

HMS Yarmouth F101

Yarmouth was laid down at John Brown and Co Ltd, Clydebank on 29 November 1957, lauched on 23 March 1959 and commissioned a year later on March 1960, in service by 26 March at a cost of £3,505,000. She joined the 6th Frigate Squadron, Home Fleet, as leader, was refitted at Devonport from December 1961 to February 1962, and became leader of the 20th Frigate Squadron, Londonderry, kept in that role until 1966.
On 13 July 1965 she collided with the submarine Tiptoe, 10 miles south east of Portland Bill. The T-class survived and reached Gosport under her own power to be repaired at Cammell Laird. Her CO was later was found guilty of negligence and sacked. In May 1966 Yarmour started a long refit and modernisation at Portsmouth, and her main alterations included a hangar and flight deck for a Wasp Helicopter, plus Seacat SAM as her sisters, to be recommissioned on 1 October 1968 and entering service at the Western Fleet and Far East Fleet. In 1971 she took part in Portsmouth Navy Days.

In April 1970 she took part in the Beira Patrol until diverted for a long stop as part of the Apollo 13 mission. Communications in the Indian Ocean were very poor and recovery instructions transited from Houston to Halifax in Nova Scotia, then morsed by the RCN to the ship. The manual was taken down by communications ratings with pencil and paper, but ultimately the spaceship landed nearby a US Navy task force. On 9 November 1970 HMS Ark Royal collided with the Kotlin-class Bravyy, shadowing the carrier in Mediterranean drills but cut across her bow when she was launching aircraft. Bravyy lost men washed overboard, Yarmouth rescuing two but seven were lost. Later the tanker Esso Chile exploded off Malta and the survivors were recued by Yarmouth’s Wasp, which also flew a doctor over the ship to care for the three wounded, then brough to shore.

On 28 February 1976, the frigate took part in the Third Cod War, colliding with ICGV Baldur (stern mushed) and severely damaging the frigate’s bow. She was forced to limp away from the patrol area, assisted by the Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service tug Rollicker. Yarmouth was repaired at Chatham where and fitted with a new reinforced bow section. With budget restraints she was offered to the RNZN in 1976 but this was rejected due to her age. Yarmout was however not done yet as she took part in the Falklands War.
She ventured in these icy cold waters of the great south by late April 1982 with the battle fleet and started protective escort. On 4 May, Sheffield was hit by an Exocet missile and she closed to provide ASW protection as HMS Arrow assisted the crippled destroyer, notably with fire. But eventually Sheffield was abandoned, and Yarmouth took her in tow, but after 29 hours, gale force winds submerged gradually Sheffield she sank on 10 May at 7 am, when the tow line was severed in emergency.

She then escorted the amphibious task force on 19 May and provided AA/ASW escort in San Carlos (Operation Sutton). On 21 May, HMS Ardent was hit and on fire by Argentine Skyhawks’ bombs. Yarmouth rescued her crew, transferred to SS Canberra. For ten days sehe “held the fort” with daily Skyhawk attacks in San Carlos and by night provided shore bombardment and ASW patrols, or escorting merchant ships in and out of the landing area.
In the early hours of 23 May, Yarmouth and Brilliant intercepted the Argentine armed coaster ARA Monsunen. She engaged her with her main guns west of Lively Island but the ship evaded capture by running aground, at Seal Cove. She ship survived the war, later salvage. On 25 May, Yarmouth claimed to have shot down an A-4C Skyhawk flown by Teniente Tomás Lucero with her Sea Cat missile but other ship did the same either from a land-based Rapier, Blowpipe or ship gunfire. Pilot Lucero was rescued by Fearless.

She retired for two days of maintenance before resuming bombardment duties from 6 June, by night. Each time she had to return over 200 miles to resupply at the task force and take oil and ammunitions. On 9 June she crossed a derelict landing craft and small coaster. The first was the Monsunen, recovered by the British after the battle of Goose Green, previously bombed by Argentine aviation and lost. The coaster ferried Gurkhas and supplies to Darwin. Her diving team managed to free Minusen, which propeller was fouled by cables. Later she provided firefighting and medical assistance to HMS Glamorgan when hit by a land-based Exocet. On 13–14 June, with HMS Active, she shelled Argentine positions at the Battle of Mount Tumbledown. In total in this war she spent 1,000 shells and used for the same mission her Limbo ASW mortar, firiong some 58 rounds.

After the surrender, Yarmouth, Endurance joined the RFA Olmeda and tug Salvageman to the South Sandwich Islands and captured the Argentinian base of South Thule, held since 1976. Yarmouth fired her guns as a warning, and the personnel there surrendered. She was refuelled by the RFA Olmeda on 21 June. This was the record of most southerly refualling at sea in the history of the Royal Navy. Back home, mission accompished, Yarmouth was decommissioned on 30 April 1986. In 1987 she towed out to the North Atlantic to be a target ship, sunk by HMS Manchester at SinkEx 16 June 1987.

HMS Rothesay F107

HMS Rothesay was ordered from Yarrow & Co Ltd of Glasgow, laid down on 6 November 1956, launched on 9 December 1957 and commissioned on 23 April 1960, at a cost of £3,715,000. In the spring and summer of 1961 she dailed to Halifax for a start of courtesy calls on the eastern seaboard of the US, but instead she was diverted to Bermuda Naval station (since 1951 and HQ America and West Indies Station until 1956) to stay ready to protect British interests in Cuba. Back in Eueopean waters on 21 March 1962 she accidentally rammed the GUPPY type TCG Gür off Gibraltar during NATO exercise Dawn Breeze. The submarine survived. In 1962-1963 she was commanded by Captain B C Godfrey Place. She made also two visits to the West Indies, notably Nassau, Bahamas to get a 30-second sequence in James Bond “Thunderball” with a sheet of canvas with a “0” over her pennant number to read 007. Sean Connery and Claudine Auger had even scenes aboard. On 14/15 January 1966 she rescued 134 Haitian refugees from an overloaded fishing boat than ran aground on an uninhabited island.

In 1966-1968 Rothesay was refitted in Rosyth. It seentially brought her close in capacity to the Leander class with her most serious asset being the Westland Wasp.
On 19 March 1969 with HMS Minerva, she landed 315 men of The Parachute Regiment on Anguilla after the inhabitants launched an insurrection not to placed under the government of Saint Kitts.
In April 1970 Rothesay was stationed for a possible tertiary splashdown recovery of Apollo 13, south of Rio de Janeiro. In 1971, she took part in Portsmouth Navy Days.
In 1973 she entered the Cod War. In 1977 she took part in the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review with Plymouth, Berwick and Brighton, 8th Frigate Squadron.
With the Falklands War, Rothesay was in Rosyth after she hit a sea wall in Esbjerg, Denmark as part of the cod wars. In her 1982 war, Rothesay was stationed in the Caribbean.
There were plans to withdraw her from service in 1983, but she had instead a comprehensive last refit in 1985 in preparation for the Dartmouth Training Squadron, but she never was sent to the Falklands and was paid off on 13 March 1988 after a career spanning 800,000 miles. She BU in Spain the same year.

HMS Londonderry F108

HMS Londonderry was laid down at JS White & Co Ltd, Cowes, Isle of Wight on 15 November 1956, launched on 20 May 1958 and completed on July 1960, in service by 18 October 1961 at a cost of £3,570,000. She served on the Home Fleet and left Portsmouth on 1 May 1961 for the Caribbean and in 1961-1964 she was deployed four times in the West Indies station, also visiting Argentina in the summer. By October 1961 she assisted the Italian liner MV Bianca C. after she caught fire in St. George’s in Grenada. In August 1965 she took part in the Portsmouth Navy Days. On 1 April 1963, she ferried 17 men from an anti-Castro group arrested by Bahamas Police at Cay Sal Banks to Nassau. On 31 August 1965 she sailed for her new assignation to the Far East until 1967 and she was back home modernised until 1969 at Rosyth. Next she was sent to Malaysia in 1970 and took part in the Beira Patrol off Africa. Next she was sent to the Bahamas, rescuing 148 Cuban refugees. In 1973 she relieved Yarmouth at the NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic.

In November 1975 she was refitted at Rosyth as trials ship for the Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment. Until October 1979 her armament was removed and replaced by moduled to be tested. The propellers were replaced by new, low-cavitation ones to avoid trainees error while in port. She also received additional navigational equipment and accommodations for the midshipmen from Dartmouth and apprentices from HMS Caledonia.

In early 1982, she sailed with HMS Fearless to the West Indies and the US, stopping at Virgin Gorda (British Virgin Islands) and New Orleans, the crew being on leave for the Mardi Gras celebrations. She was paid off into reserve back home on 31 March 1982. But with the Falklands War she returned as Dartmouth Training Ship, 6th Frigate Squadron. From 20 January to 29 March she made a last cruise from Portsmouth to the West Indies and USA. Back home she became a Harbour Training Ship to HMS Sultan, Gosport until 1988. On 25 June 1989 she was stricken and sunk as a target off Scotland. In all she crossed 125,500 km and four times crossing the Atlantic, transiting Panama three times, visited 50 ports in 35 countries and fired 1,232 rounds of 4.5-inch ammunition and 442 rounds of 40 mm ammunition in drills.

HMS Rhyl F129

HMS Rhyl was laid down at HM Dockyard, Portsmouth at English Electric Co Ltd, Rugby, laid down on 29 January 1958, launched on 23 April 1959 and commissioned on November 1960, but in service already on 31 October at a cost of £3,625,000. Following commissioning she served in the Far East, Mediterranean and East Africa, with some stand-by off Goa after the Indian invasion. She led the 23rd Frigate Squadron when attending Portsmouth Navy Days in 1965. In 1964-1966 she was under Command of J A Templeton-Cotill. On 12 January 1964 she acted upon the Zanzibar Revolution overhrowing the Sultan, landing the 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment. With the survey ship Owen and stores ship Hebe she evacuated British civilians from Zanzibar. When the Tanganyikan Army mutinied, she took the side of the government, landings Royal Marines from HMS Centaur. With HMS Ark Royal and HMS Lowestoft she took part in the first Beira Patrol and in 1966–7 was in the Mediterranean as Captain, D 23rd Escort Squadron with HMS Lowestoft, Dainty and Defender.

HMS Rhyl her second major refit in 1967-69. By April 1982, Rhyl was to take part in Operation Corporate, but her engine failed and her deployment cancelled. However she was sent at Ascension Island to act as guardship until July. In 1983 she was deployed in the US and West Indies and back to Portsmouth in April 1983 and replaced Orient Express when deployed with HMS Invincible. In dry dock her hull was declared compromised and she was paid off. In the summer of 1985, HMS Rhyl was to be sunk in torpedo trials but eventually intentionally scuttled due to severe weather on 27 July 1985.

HMS Plymouth F126

Plymouth was laid down at HM Dockyard, Devonport and her machinery provided by English Electric Co Ltd, Rugby,on 1 July 1958, launched on 20 July 1959 and commissioned on 11 May 1961 for a cost of £3,510,000. She served between 1963 and 1964 as leader of the 22nd Escort Squadron and of the 29th Escort Squadron from 1964 to 1966, based on Singapore and Australia. In 1966 under Captain Thomas Fanshawe she joined the Beira Patrol but 4 April if she intercepted the oil tanker Joanna V, for diplomatic reasons she refrained to fire and the tanker reached Beira, its content likely to reach Rhodesia via pipeline. In 1970, Plymouth was present for the Cook Bicentennial celebrations in Sydney. After a drydock paint job, she sailed to the Indian Ocean for six-weeks of Beira Patrol. Back home she toured the country for recruitement, notably to Stornoway and Middlesbrough.

In 1977, she was in the 8th Frigate Squadron for the fleet review off Spithead (Queen’s Silver Jubilee) and was sent to assist in the Cod Wars. She was mobilized later for the Falklands War in 1982 under Captain David Pentreath. She was one of the first arriving in the South Atlantic after invasion of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. With Antrim, Brilliant and Endurance, she recaptured South Georgia in Operation Paraquet. On 25 April, her Wasp helicopter took part in the search and destroy mission on the Argentine submarine Santa Fe, badly damaged already by a depth charge from Antrim′s Wessex. Her own Wasp was armed with AS12 missile and sure enough she crippled the submarine underdway, later grounded and abandoned in Grytviken harbour, her keaving. Later a small team of Royal Marines, SAS and SBS landed to capture her and the side. Antrim, Plymouth then arrived and fired 235 shells on the Argentines until they surendered. Later Plymouth sailed with Endurance to Leith Harbour and shelled Argentinian positions. The next day the garrison commander, Lieutenant commander Alfredo Astiz, signed the surrender in HMS Plymouth’s wardroom.

On 1 May, Plymouth joined the task force. On the night of 20–21 May, she escorted the amphibious assault force entering San Carlos, in vanguard. But the nexct day she had to fend off air attacks and later assisted HMS Argonaut, first hit in “Bomb Alley”. For nine days her crew was in permanent air defense high alert. By night she was in escort and patrol as well as supporting ground troops with her artillery. She was srnt back to the distant carrier battle group (150 miles east of the Falklands) and 30 May, when they were attacked by Exocet missile for no damage, she returned to San Carlos. On 8 June she was alone in Falkland Sound, returning from naval gunfire when her radar picked up at the last minute five low-flying Dagger fighter-bombers from Grupo 6. Her 20 mm guns and Seacat missiles fired, but the first dropped eight Mk 82 500 lb bombs, five hitting. The other Dagger could not release bombs due to a mechanical failure and another suffered was repelled by shrapnel. Sources diverged. Another stated she was hit by four 1000 lb bombs, all duds but caused extensive damage.

Her flight deck was pierced and it detonated a depth charge and started a fire. Another entered her funnel, two destroyed her Limbo mortar. Internal flooding saw her listing to six degree, but she only had 5 men injured. The teams stopped the fire in 90 minutes, assisted when HMS Avenger arrived. Repairs were carried out until the next day and she withdrew to a repair area close to the rig support vessel MV Stena Seaspread. She was back in fully operational state for shore bombardment on 14 June, to hear abour the general surrender a day later.
Plymouth was the first to enter Port Stanley on 17 June. She established naval control of the harbour and returned to San Carlos she she dailed for home on 21 June with Glamorgan and entered Rosyth on 14 July for full repair, refit and maintenance. In all she fired 909 main gun shells and nine Seacat in anger.

In 1983, Plymouth was stationed in the West Indies as guard ship. On 11 April 1984, she collided with the Köln-class Braunschweig, in fog off Bornholm (exercises in the Baltic). Her bow wqs repaired partly at Karlskrona. In 1986 she has a violent boiler room fire, killing two sailors. As the last Type 12 in service and veteran of the Falkland war, she was paid off on 28 April 1988, but acquired by the Warship Preservation Trust. In 1990 she was towed to Glasgow on permanent (River Clyde). Next, she was relocated to the Great Float, Birkenhead Docks, purchased by Peel Holdings.

On 6 February 2006 the Warship Preservation Trust closed, bankrupt. Plymouth ended with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company and if the city Council expressed interest for her and a campaign group called for her Preservation and raised raise £250,000, the Associated British Ports withdrew an offer of a berth in January 2007 and despite an online petition to the UK government in 2012 she was sold for scrapping. Campaigners went on in 2014 and attacked Peel Ports owning Mersey Docks accusing them to worsen the ship’s condition in order be sure having her scrapped.
Sje was towed from Vittoria Dock in Birkenhead on 20 August 2014 to Turkey, Aliağa scrapped from 2014.

HMS Berwick F115

Berwick was laid down at Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast, she was laid down on 16 June 1958, launched on 15 December 1959 and commissioned on 1 June 1961 at a cost of £3,650,000.
From 1961 to 1963 Berwick was leader of the 5th Frigate Squadron. On 16 November 1962 she looked for a crashed Westland Whirlwind from Hermes with aboard notably Lord Windlesham and John Cronin. Three survivors including Cronin were rescued but not Lord Windlesham.

Between 1963 and 1965 Berwick led the 21st Escort Squadron and on 12 September 1964, she was present in the Sunda Straits Crisis, escorting HMS Victorious as she transited the Lombok Strait from Australia to Singapore. On 10 April 1966 in the Beira Patrol she boarded the Greek oil tanker SS Manuella and forced her to turn away. However as Berwick left the area to refuel, Manuella went back and headed for Beira to be stopped by HMS Puma. Berwick back home was re-fitted in 1967. In November 1971, she collided with the frigate HMS Phoebe in Portsmouth while underway to the West Indies. She was back in dock for damage assessment and repairs.
From July 1975 to April 1976, she made a world tour, via the Suez and Panama canals, alongside HMS Ajax, Plymouth, Llandaff, Rothesay and Glamorgan, before the “east of suez” policy. DShe stopped notably at Gibraltar, Malta, Port Said, Madras, Singapore, Hong Kong, Fremantle, Hobart and Sydney, Nelson and Timaru in NZ, Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii, San Diego and Long Beach, Panama and Curaçao.
In January 1977, the UK grew its EEZ by 200 nautical miles (370 km), and Berwick was deployed to patrol it and guarantee the work of fishing stocks and oil fields. She was present for the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review as part of the 8th Frigate Squadron. She was to be refitted with a towed array sonar but this was cancelled and instead she was paid off in December 1980, into reserve. By early 1982, she was to be decommissioned as per the 1981 Defence White Paper, but the Falkland Islands by April changed this. Fully reactivated, she replaced ships sent to the South Atlantic. However by then she was in poor material condition and corrosion. She was indeed used as a source of spare parts for Falmouth, back into service. In June she entered the Chatham Dockyard for a refit until recommissioned on 5 August 1982, and sent to the 5th Frigate Squadron for postwar tours with the South Atlantic task forces 1982–83. Next she was in the West Indies for training cruises. Back home she was paid off in 1985, then sunk as a target ship on 18 August 1986 (by a Tigerfish torpedo from HMS Tireless).

HMS Falmouth F113

Falmouth was ordered from Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend-on-Tyne, her machinery provided from Parsons Marine Turbines Co Ltd also at Wallsend-on-Tyne. She was laid down on 23 November 1957, launched on 15 December 1959 and commissioned on 25 July 1961 for a cost of £3,805,000. In August 1961 she joined the 20th Frigate Squadron at Londonderry in Northern Ireland and on 5 December she collided with the oiler RFA Tideflow in Lyme Bay. After repairs by December 1963, she was the leader of the 30th Frigate Squadron, Far East Fleet, from September 1964 to December 1964 and from June to December 1965. She also took part in the Beira Patrol naval blockade, enforcing the oil embargo against Rhodesia and patrolling off Mombasa in January 1967.
From August 1968 to 6 January 1971, she was refitted at Portsmouth, to operate notably a Westland Wasp helicopter, and Seacat launcher installed, one Limbo mortar and Bofors removed.

By evening 6 May 1976 it was decided to send her to the Third Cod War and her first intervention was against the Icelandic gunboat V/s Týr, trying to cut nets of the fishing trawler Carlisle. Captain Gerald Plumer from Falmouth then rammed Týr after the usual warnings, at 22 knots, almost capsizing her. Týr still had managed to cut all nets of Carlisle and Falmouth took distancve, circled back and rammed her again. Týr was badly damaged loosing half her power. Soon she was assited by the tug-boat Statesman but Captain Guðmundur Kjærnested gave orders to man Týr’s guns to prevent more ramming. Falmouth did not tried again as she sustained serious structural damage and needed dry dock repairs at Portsmouth.
In January 1977, she was was deployed in the North Sea to protect fishing stocks and oil fields.She was deactivated in 1980, transferred to the Standby Squadron at Chatham. In 1982 she wasconsidered for disposal but with the Falkland war, she was returned to active duty, and only patrolling the South Atlantic postwar, from May to September 1953. In March 1984, she was deployed to the Middle and Far East and back in August. She was later laid up as stationary training ship at HMS Sultan by December 1984, after being decommisioned in July. She was stricken and sold for BU in Spain, from May 1989.

HMS Lowestoft F103

Lowestoft was ordered from Alexander Stephens and Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Glasgow and laid down on 9 June 1958, launched on 23 June 1960 and commissioned on 26 September 1961 at a cost of £3,510,000. She joined the 5th Frigate Squadron by March 1962 and in 1961-1963 under command of Raymond Lygo.
On 16 November 1962, she took part in the search and rescue for the crashed Westland Whirlwind (see above). On 4 September 1964, she was present for the ceremonies for the opening of the Forth Road Bridge but collided with the cruiser Lions moored under the bridg while in foggy conditions. Her bow was repaired at Rosyth but her navigating officer was court martialled and convicted of negligently hazarding his ship. In January 1971, she joined STANAVFORLANT.
From October 1976 to September 1977, she was in refit at Portsmouth to test a towed array sonar array, then same at Falmouth in October 1978. In June 1982, she was in full operational service with the 7th Frigate Squadron after a refit at Portsmouth, and she became a guardship at Ascension Island, mid-way to the Falklands. She was paid off at Portsmouth on 29 March 1985, Disposal of and sunk as target off the Bahamas on 8 June 1986.

HMS Brighton F106

Brighton was laid down at Yarrow & Co Ltd, Glasgow on 23 July 1957, launched on 30 October 1959 and commissioned on October 1961, in service from 28 September 1961 at a cost of £3,600,000. She joined the 6th Frigate Squadron. From 1963 she joined the 30th Escort Squadron. By June 1965, she headed for the Far East to carry out anti-infiltration patrols as part of the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation. She laso took part in a joint exercise with the US Navy in the South China Sea. She was back home on 15 December. By August 1966, she left for Africa and the Beira Patrol off East Africa over four months. She had a refit and R&R at Singapore in December. By January 1968, she became leader of the NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic. She also attended the 1977 Silver Jubilee Fleet Review off Spithead (6th FrRon). In 1978-1979, she was under command of J J R Tod. After the 1981 Nott Defence Review she was offered for sale internationally, until paid off in November 1981 (first in class disposed-of). Sold for BU to Dean Marine in 1985, she was scrapped at the Medway yard from 16 September.

HMS Weymouth

Weymouth was ordered from Harland & Wolff Ltd in Belfast and laid down on 10 April 1959, but she was cancelled in 1960, and completed later as the Leander-class frigate Leander, her keel laid down again.

HMS Fowey

Fowey was ordered from Cammell Laird and Co (Shipbuilders and Engineers) Ltd, Birkenhead, laid down on 19 October 1950 but cancelled in 1960, and completed as the Leander-class frigate Ajax.

HMS Hastings (Otago)

Hastings (i) was ordered from JI Thornycroft Ltd, Southampton and planned to be laid down on February 1956 but she was eventually completed for New Zealand and laid down anew on February 1957.

HMS Hastings (ii)

Hastings (ii) was ordered from Yarrow & Co Ltd, Glasgow and laid down on 2 December 1959. In 1960 it was dedided to complete her a as the Leander-class frigate Dido.