HMS Lowestoft (F103): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m correcting publisher, replaced: Ian Allen → Ian Allan, removed stub tag
Type 12 to Type 12M. The Whitby Class was Type 12.
 
(27 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|1961 Type 12M or Rothesay-class frigate of the Royal Navy}}

{{Other ships|HMS Lowestoft}}
{{Other ships|HMS Lowestoft}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
Line 10: Line 12:
| Hide header =
| Hide header =
| Ship country = United Kingdom
| Ship country = United Kingdom
| Ship flag = [[Image:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|60px|RN Ensign]]
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
| Ship name = HMS ''Lowestoft''
| Ship name = HMS ''Lowestoft''
| Ship owner =
| Ship namesake =
| Ship namesake =
| Ship ordered =
| Ship ordered =
Line 28: Line 29:
| Ship identification = [[Pennant number]]: F103
| Ship identification = [[Pennant number]]: F103
| Ship fate = Sunk as target 8 June 1986
| Ship fate = Sunk as target 8 June 1986
| Ship status =
| Ship notes =
| Ship notes =
}}
}}
Line 34: Line 34:
| Hide header =
| Hide header =
| Header caption =
| Header caption =
| Ship class = {{sclass-|Rothesay|frigate|1}}
| Ship class = {{sclass|Rothesay|frigate|1}}
| Ship displacement = 2,800 tons
| Ship displacement = 2,800 tons
| Ship length = 370 ft
| Ship length = {{cvt|370|ft|m}}
| Ship beam = 41 ft
| Ship beam = {{cvt|41|ft|m}}
| Ship draught = 17 ft 4 in
| Ship draught = {{cvt|17|ft|4|in|m}}
| Ship draft =
| Ship draft =
| Ship propulsion = 2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers operating at 550lb sq. in, 850°F
| Ship propulsion = 2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers operating at 550lb sq. in, {{convert|850|°F|°C|abbr=on}}
English Electric geared turbines, 2 shafts, 30000 shafts horsepower
English Electric geared turbines, 2 shafts, 30000 shafts horsepower
| Ship speed = {{convert|30|kn|km/h|abbr=on|lk=in}}
| Ship speed = {{convert|30|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range =
| Ship range =
| Ship complement = 235
| Ship complement = 235
| Ship sensors =
| Ship sensors =
| Ship EW =
| Ship EW =
| Ship armament = 2 × 4.5" Dual Purpose on a Mk VI Mounting
| Ship armament = * 2 × 4.5-inch dual purpose guns on a Mk VI mounting
1 x 40mm on STAGG mounting
* 1 × {{cvt|40|mm}} on STAGG mounting
1 x Limbo Mortar Mk 10 Mountings
* 1 × Limbo mortar Mk 10 mounting
| Ship armour =
| Ship armour =
| Ship armor =
| Ship armor =
Line 57: Line 57:
}}
}}
|}
|}
'''HMS ''Lowestoft''''' was a [[Rothesay class frigate|''Rothesay'' or Type 12]] class [[anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] [[frigate]] of the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Royal Navy]]. Lowestoft was reconstructed in the late 1960s to largely the same pattern as the third group of Leander frigates, with new radar and fire control and a hangar and pad for a Wasp helicopter for longer range, anti submarine, engagement. In the late 1970s it was converted as the prototype towed array frigate for the Royal Navy, but retained its full armament. ''Lowestoft'' was sunk as a target on 8 June 1986 by {{HMS|Conqueror|S48|6}} using a Tigerfish torpedo. She was the last Royal Naval target to be sunk still displaying her pennant number.
'''HMS ''Lowestoft''''' was a {{sclass|Rothesay|frigate|0}} or Type 12M class [[anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] [[frigate]] of the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Royal Navy]]. ''Lowestoft'' was reconstructed in the late 1960s to largely the same pattern as the third group of {{sclass|Leander|frigate|1}}s, with new radar and fire control and a hangar and pad for a [[Westland Wasp]] helicopter for longer range, anti-submarine, engagement. In the late 1970s it was converted as the prototype towed array frigate for the Royal Navy, but retained its full armament. ''Lowestoft'' was sunk as a target on 8 June 1986 by {{HMS|Conqueror|S48|6}} using a Tigerfish torpedo. She was the last Royal Naval target to be sunk still displaying her pennant number.


==Design==
==Design==
The ''Rothesay''-class was an improved version of the [[Whitby-class frigate|''Whitby''-class]] anti-submarine frigate, with nine ''Rothesay''s ordered in the 1954–55 shipbuilding programme for the Royal Navy to supplement the six ''Whitby''s.<ref name="conways47 p519">{{Harvnb|Gardiner|Chumbley|1995|p=519}}</ref>
The {{sclass|Rothesay|frigate|4}} was an improved version of the {{sclass|Whitby|frigate|0}} anti-submarine frigate, with nine ''Rothesay''s ordered in the 1954–55 shipbuilding programme for the Royal Navy to supplement the six ''Whitby''s.<ref name="conways47 p519">{{Harvnb|Gardiner|Chumbley|1995|p=519}}</ref>


''Lowestoft'' was {{convert|370|ft|0|in|m}} [[overall length|long overall]] and {{convert|360|ft|0|in|m}} [[length between perpendiculars|between perpendiculars]], with a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|41|ft|0|in|m}} and a [[Draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|13|ft|6|in|m}}.<ref name="fried p321-2">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|pp=321–322}}</ref> The ''Rothesay''s were powered by the same Y-100 machinery used by the ''Whitby''-class. Two [[Babcock & Wilcox]] [[water-tube boiler]]s fed steam at {{convert|550|psi|kPa}} and {{convert|850|F|C}} to two sets of geared [[steam turbine]]s which drove two propeller shafts, fitted with large ({{convert|2|ft|m}} diameter) slow-turning propellers. The machinery was rated at {{convert|30000|shp|kW}}, giving a speed of {{convert|29.5|kn|mph km/h}}.<ref name="Fried p206,8,322">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|pp=206, 208, 322}}</ref><ref name="marp58,64">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|pp=58, 64}}</ref> Crew was about 212 officers and men.<ref name="fried p321-2"/>{{#tag:ref|Conway's states the crew of a ''Rothesay'' ranged from 200–235,<ref name="conways47 p519"/> while Jane's Fighting Ships 1962–63 states a crew of 200 (9 officers and 191 ratings)<ref name="jfs62p265">{{harvnb|Blackman|1962|p=265}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}
''Lowestoft'' was {{convert|370|ft|0|in|m}} [[length overall|long overall]] and {{convert|360|ft|0|in|m}} [[length between perpendiculars|between perpendiculars]], with a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|41|ft|0|in|m}} and a [[Draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|13|ft|6|in|m}}.<ref name="fried p321-2">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|pp=321–322}}</ref> The ''Rothesay''s were powered by the same Y-100 machinery used by the ''Whitby''-class. Two [[Babcock & Wilcox]] [[water-tube boiler]]s fed steam at {{convert|550|psi|kPa}} and {{convert|850|F|C}} to two sets of geared [[steam turbine]]s which drove two propeller shafts, fitted with large ({{convert|2|ft|m|disp=comma}} diameter) slow-turning propellers. The machinery was rated at {{convert|30000|shp|kW|lk=in}}, giving a speed of {{convert|29.5|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name="Fried p206,8,322">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|pp=206, 208, 322}}</ref><ref name="marp58,64">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|pp=58, 64}}</ref> Crew was about 212 officers and men.<ref name="fried p321-2"/>{{#tag:ref|Conway's states the crew of a ''Rothesay'' ranged from 200–235,<ref name="conways47 p519"/> while Jane's Fighting Ships 1962–63 states a crew of 200 (9 officers and 191 ratings)<ref name="jfs62p265">{{harvnb|Blackman|1962|p=265}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}


A twin [[QF 4.5-inch Mk I – V naval gun#Variants|4.5-inch (113 mm) Mark 6]] gun mount was fitted forward, with 350 rounds of ammunition carried. It was originally intended to fit a twin [[Bofors 40 mm gun#40 mm L/70|40 mm L/70 Bofors]] anti-aircraft mount aft, but in 1957 it was decided to fit the [[Seacat missile|Seacat]] anti-aircraft missile instead. Seacat was not yet ready, and ''Yarmouth'' was completed with a single L/60 40&nbsp;mm Bofors mount aft as a temporary anti-aircraft armament.<ref name="Fried p208-9,322">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|pp=208–209, 322}}</ref> The design anti-submarine armament consisted of twelve 21-inch torpedo-tubes (eight fixed and two twin rotating mounts) for [[British 21 inch torpedo#21 inch Mark 20 Bidder|Mark 20E Bidder]] homing anti-submarine torpedoes, backed up by two [[Limbo (weapon)|Limbo]] anti-submarine mortars fitted aft. The Bidder homing torpedoes proved unsuccessful however, being too slow to catch modern submarines, and the torpedo tubes were soon removed.<ref name="marp55,8">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|pp=55, 58}}</ref>
A twin [[QF 4.5-inch Mk I – V naval gun#Variants|4.5-inch (113 mm) Mark 6]] gun mount was fitted forward, with 350 rounds of ammunition carried. It was originally intended to fit a twin [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70|40 mm L/70 Bofors]] anti-aircraft mount aft, but in 1957 it was decided to fit the [[Seacat missile|Seacat]] anti-aircraft missile instead. Seacat was not yet ready, and ''Yarmouth'' was completed with a single [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|L/60 40&nbsp;mm Bofors]] mount aft as a temporary anti-aircraft armament.<ref name="Fried p208-9,322">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|pp=208–209, 322}}</ref> The design anti-submarine armament consisted of twelve 21-inch [[torpedo tube]]s (eight fixed and two twin rotating mounts) for [[British 21-inch torpedo#21 inch Mark 20 Bidder|Mark 20E Bidder]] homing anti-submarine torpedoes, backed up by two [[Limbo (weapon)|Limbo]] anti-submarine mortars fitted aft. The Bidder homing torpedoes proved unsuccessful however, being too slow to catch modern submarines, and the torpedo tubes were soon removed.<ref name="marp55,8">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|pp=55, 58}}</ref>


The ship was fitted with a Type 293Q surface/air search radar on the [[foremast]], with a Type 277 height-finding radar on a short mast forward of the foremast. A Mark 6M fire control system (including a Type 275 radar) for the 4.5 inch guns was mounted above the ship's bridge, while a Type 974 navigation radar was also fitted.<ref name="conways47 p484,519">{{Harvnb|Gardiner|Chumbley|1995|pp=484, 519}}</ref><ref name="marp55">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|p=55}}</ref> The ship's sonar fit consisted of Type 174 search, Type 170 fire control sonar for Limbo and a Type 162 sonar for classifying targets on the sea floor.<ref name="marp55"/>
The ship was fitted with a [[Type 293 radar|Type 293Q]] surface/air search radar on the [[foremast]], with a [[Type 277 radar|Type 277]] height-finding radar on a short mast forward of the foremast. A Mark 6M fire control system (including a Type 275 radar) for the 4.5-inch guns was mounted above the ship's bridge, while a Type 974 navigation radar was also fitted.<ref name="conways47 p484,519">{{Harvnb|Gardiner|Chumbley|1995|pp=484, 519}}</ref><ref name="marp55">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|p=55}}</ref> The ship's sonar fit consisted of Type 174 search, Type 170 fire control sonar for Limbo and a Type 162 sonar for classifying targets on the sea floor.<ref name="marp55"/>


''Lowestoft'' was [[Keel laying|laid down]] at [[Alexander Stephen and Sons]]'s [[Linthouse]], [[Glasgow]] shipyard on 19 June 1958, was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 23 June 1960 and completed on 26 September 1961.<ref name="Fried p337">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|p=337}}</ref><ref name="marp64">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|p=64}}</ref>
''Lowestoft'' was [[Keel laying|laid down]] at [[Alexander Stephen and Sons]]'s [[Linthouse]], [[Glasgow]] shipyard on 19 June 1958, was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 23 June 1960 and completed on 26 September 1961.<ref name="Fried p337">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|p=337}}</ref><ref name="marp64">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|p=64}}</ref>


===Modernisation===
===Modernisation===
From 1967 to 1969 ''Lowestoft'' underwent a major modernisation, which brought the ship close in capacity to the [[Leander-class frigate|''Leander''-class]].<ref name="critp107">{{Harvnb|Critchley|1992|p=107}}</ref><ref name="marp58">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|p=58}}</ref> A hangar and flight deck was added aft to allow a [[Westland Wasp]] helicopter to be operated, at the expense of one of the Limbo anti-submarine mortars, while a Seacat launcher and the associated GWS20 director was mounted on the hangar roof. Two 20-mm cannons were added either side of the ship's bridge. A MRS3 fire control system replaced the Mark 6M, and its integral Type 903 radar allowed the Type 277 height finder radar to be removed. A Type 993 surface/air-search radar replaced the existing Type 293Q radar, while the ship's defences were enhanced by the addition of the Corvus [[Chaff (countermeasure)|chaff]] rocket dispenser.<ref name="marp58"/><ref name="fried p209-0">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|pp=208–210}}</ref>
From 1967 to 1969 ''Lowestoft'' underwent a major modernisation, which brought the ship close in capacity to the {{sclass|Leander|frigate|4}}.<ref name="critp107">{{Harvnb|Critchley|1992|p=107}}</ref><ref name="marp58">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|p=58}}</ref> A hangar and flight deck was added aft to allow a [[Westland Wasp]] helicopter to be operated, at the expense of one of the Limbo anti-submarine mortars, while a Seacat launcher and the associated GWS20 director was mounted on the hangar roof. Two 20-mm cannons were added either side of the ship's bridge. A MRS3 fire control system replaced the Mark 6M, and its integral Type 903 radar allowed the Type 277 height finder radar to be removed. A Type 993 surface/air-search radar replaced the existing Type 293Q radar, while the ship's defences were enhanced by the addition of the Corvus [[Chaff (countermeasure)|chaff]] rocket dispenser.<ref name="marp58"/><ref name="fried p209-0">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|pp=208–210}}</ref>


==Service==
==Service==
''Lowestoft'' commissioned on 18 October 1961 and joined the 5th Frigate Squadron in March 1962.<ref name="critp107"/>
''Lowestoft'' commissioned on 18 October 1961 and joined the 5th Frigate Squadron in March 1962.<ref name="critp107"/> Between 1961 and 1963 she was commanded by [[Raymond Lygo]].


On 16 November 1962, a [[Westland Whirlwind (helicopter)|Westland Whirlwind]] helicopter from the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Hermes|R12|2}} with five men aboard, including the politicians [[James Hennessy, 2nd Baron Windlesham|Lord Windlesham]] and [[John Cronin (British politician)|John Cronin]] crashed off [[St Davids Head]]. ''Lowestoft'' took part in search operations after the crash, and while three survivors (including Cronin) were rescued by helicopters, Lord Windlesham's body was not found.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ld. Windlesham Missing at Sea |newspaper=The Times |date=17 November 1962 |issue=55551 |page=8}}</ref> On 4 September 1964, ''Lowestoft'' took part in the ceremonies for the opening of the [[Forth Road Bridge]]. Later that day, ''Lowestoft'' collided with the cruiser {{HMS|Lion|C34|2}}, which was moored under the bridge, having also taken place in the ceremony, in foggy conditions. ''Lowestoft'' sustained damage to her bows but returned to [[Rosyth dockyard]] under her own power. ''Lowestoft''{{'}}s navigating officer was convicted of negligently hazarding his ship at a [[court martial]] and was reprimanded.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cruiser and Frigate in Collision |newspaper=[[The Times]]| date=5 September 1964 |issue=56109 |p=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Opening of Warship Collision Enquiry |newspaper=The Times |date=9 September 1964 |issue= 56112 |page=15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Officer Hazarded Frigate |newspaper=The Times |date=22 October 1964 |issue=56149 |page=7}}</ref>
==Commanding officers==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left"
In January 1971, ''Lowestoft'' joined [[Standing NATO Maritime Group 1|STANAVFORLANT]], the NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lowestoft's New Job |newspaper=[[Navy News]] |date=March 1971 |page=12 |url=https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/197103 |access-date=14 April 2019}}</ref>
!From||To|||Commanding Officer

|-
From October 1976 to September 1977, ''Lowestoft'' was refitted at Portsmouth for her new role as a trials ship for towed array sonar arrays. She was again refitted, at [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]] in October 1978.<ref name="critp107"/> In June 1982, as a result of the [[Falklands War]], she was returned to operational service with the 7th Frigate Squadron after a short refit at Portsmouth, serving as guardship at [[Ascension Island]].<ref name="critp107"/><ref name="nn585">{{cite news |title=End of trail for pioneer Lowestoft |newspaper=[[Navy News]] |date=May 1985 |page=3 |url= https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/royal-navy-responsive/images/navynews/archivepdfs/1980s/1985/navy-news-may-1985-issue-370.pdf#page=3 |access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref>
|1961||1963|||Commander [[Raymond Lygo]] RN

|-
''Lowestoft'' was [[Ship commissioning#Ship decommissioning|paid off]] at Portsmouth on 29 March 1985,<ref name="nn585"/> and was placed on the Disposal list.<ref>{{harvnb|Moore|1985|p=612}}</ref> ''Lowestoft'' was sunk as a target off the [[Bahamas]] on 8 June 1986.<ref>{{harvnb|Colledge|Warlow|2006|p=205}}</ref>
|1963||1964|||Commander M W G Fawcett RN
|-
|1964||1966|||Captain J D Treacher RN
|-
|1966||1967|||Commander E M G Johnstone RN
|-
|1967||1970|||In refit
|-
|1970||1971|||Commander D H Morse RN
|-
|1971||1973|||Commander M C Powys-Maurice RN
|-
|1973||1974|||Commander P G V Dingemans RN
|-
|1974||1975|||Commander T Goetz RN
|-
|1975||1977|||Commander R M Carpendale RN
|-
|1977||1979|||Commander T J Smy RN
|-
|1979||1981|||Commander Jimmy Chestnutt RN
|-
|1981||1983|||Commander Charles H Buckle RN
|-
|1983||1985|||Commander W Kim Howat RN
|-
|}


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 116: Line 90:
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


==Publications==
==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last=Blackman|first=Raymond V. B.| title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1962–63|year=1962|publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd|location=London|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last=Blackman|first=Raymond V. B.| title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1962–63|year=1962|publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd|location=London}}
*{{cite book|last=Blackman|first=Raymond V. B.| title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1971–72|year=1971|publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd|location=London|isbn =0-354-00096-9|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last=Blackman|first=Raymond V. B.| title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1971–72|year=1971|publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd|location=London|isbn =0-354-00096-9}}
*{{colledge|ref=harv}}
*{{Cite Colledge2006}}
*{{cite book|last=Critchley |first=Mike |title=British Warships Since 1945: Part 5: Frigates|year=1992| publisher=Maritime Press|location=Liskeard, UK|isbn=0-907771-13-0|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last=Critchley |first=Mike |title=British Warships Since 1945: Part 5: Frigates|year=1992| publisher=Maritime Press|location=Liskeard, UK|isbn=0-907771-13-0}}
*{{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=British Destroyers & Frigates: The Second World War and After|year=2008|publisher=Seaforth Publishing|location=Barnsley, UK|isbn=978-1-84832-015-4|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=British Destroyers & Frigates: The Second World War and After|year=2008|publisher=Seaforth Publishing|location=Barnsley, UK|isbn=978-1-84832-015-4}}
*{{cite book|editor1-last=Gardiner|editor1-first=Robert|editor2-last=Chumbley|editor2-first=Stephen|title=Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995|year=1995|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland, USA|isbn=1-55750-132-7|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|editor1-last=Gardiner|editor1-first=Robert|editor2-last=Chumbley|editor2-first=Stephen|title=Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995|year=1995|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland, USA|isbn=1-55750-132-7}}
*{{cite book|last=Marriott|first=Leo|year=1983 |title=Royal Navy Frigates 1945–1983|publisher=Ian Allan Ltd|location=Shepperton, Surrey, UK |isbn= 0-7110-1322-5|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|last=Marriott|first=Leo|year=1983 |title=Royal Navy Frigates 1945–1983|publisher=Ian Allan Ltd|location=Shepperton, Surrey, UK |isbn= 0-7110-1322-5}}
*{{cite book|editor-last=Moore|editor-first=John|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1979–80|year=1979|publisher=Jane's Yearbooks|location=London|isbn=0-354-00587-1|ref=harv}}
*{{cite book|editor-last=Moore|editor-first=John|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1979–80|year=1979|publisher=Jane's Yearbooks|location=London|isbn=0-354-00587-1}}
*{{cite book|editor-last=Moore|editor-first=John|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1985–86|year=1985|publisher=Jane's Yearbooks|location=London|isbn=0-7106-0814-4}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.hmslowestoft.co.uk/ HMS Lowestoft Association]
* [http://www.hmslowestoft.co.uk/ HMS Lowestoft Association]


<!-- non-breaking space to keep AWB drones from altering the space before the navbox-->
{{Rothesay class frigate}}
{{Rothesay class frigate}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2011}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Lowestoft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lowestoft}}
[[Category:Rothesay-class frigates]]
[[Category:Rothesay-class frigates]]
[[Category:Frigates of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:1960 ships]]
[[Category:1960 ships]]
[[Category:Ships of the Fishery Protection Squadron of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships of the Fishery Protection Squadron of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships sunk as targets]]
[[Category:Ships sunk as targets]]
[[Category:Ships built in Glasgow]]

Latest revision as of 10:27, 18 January 2024

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Lowestoft.

HMS Lowestoft in 1979
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Lowestoft
BuilderAlex Stephens & Sons
Laid down9 June 1958
Launched23 June 1960
Commissioned26 September 1961
Decommissioned1985
IdentificationPennant number: F103
FateSunk as target 8 June 1986
General characteristics
Class and typeRothesay-class frigate
Displacement2,800 tons
Length370 ft (110 m)
Beam41 ft (12 m)
Draught17 ft 4 in (5.28 m)
Propulsion2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers operating at 550lb sq. in, 850 °F (454 °C) English Electric geared turbines, 2 shafts, 30000 shafts horsepower
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement235
Armament
  • 2 × 4.5-inch dual purpose guns on a Mk VI mounting
  • 1 × 40 mm (1.6 in) on STAGG mounting
  • 1 × Limbo mortar Mk 10 mounting
Aircraft carried1 × Wasp helicopter

HMS Lowestoft was a Rothesay-class or Type 12M class anti-submarine frigate of the British Royal Navy. Lowestoft was reconstructed in the late 1960s to largely the same pattern as the third group of Leander-class frigates, with new radar and fire control and a hangar and pad for a Westland Wasp helicopter for longer range, anti-submarine, engagement. In the late 1970s it was converted as the prototype towed array frigate for the Royal Navy, but retained its full armament. Lowestoft was sunk as a target on 8 June 1986 by HMS Conqueror using a Tigerfish torpedo. She was the last Royal Naval target to be sunk still displaying her pennant number.

Design[edit]

The Rothesay class was an improved version of the Whitby-class anti-submarine frigate, with nine Rothesays ordered in the 1954–55 shipbuilding programme for the Royal Navy to supplement the six Whitbys.[1]

Lowestoft was 370 feet 0 inches (112.78 m) long overall and 360 feet 0 inches (109.73 m) between perpendiculars, with a beam of 41 feet 0 inches (12.50 m) and a draught of 13 feet 6 inches (4.11 m).[2] The Rothesays were powered by the same Y-100 machinery used by the Whitby-class. Two Babcock & Wilcox water-tube boilers fed steam at 550 pounds per square inch (3,800 kPa) and 850 °F (454 °C) to two sets of geared steam turbines which drove two propeller shafts, fitted with large (2 feet, 0.61 m diameter) slow-turning propellers. The machinery was rated at 30,000 shaft horsepower (22,000 kW), giving a speed of 29.5 knots (54.6 km/h; 33.9 mph).[3][4] Crew was about 212 officers and men.[2][a]

A twin 4.5-inch (113 mm) Mark 6 gun mount was fitted forward, with 350 rounds of ammunition carried. It was originally intended to fit a twin 40 mm L/70 Bofors anti-aircraft mount aft, but in 1957 it was decided to fit the Seacat anti-aircraft missile instead. Seacat was not yet ready, and Yarmouth was completed with a single L/60 40 mm Bofors mount aft as a temporary anti-aircraft armament.[6] The design anti-submarine armament consisted of twelve 21-inch torpedo tubes (eight fixed and two twin rotating mounts) for Mark 20E Bidder homing anti-submarine torpedoes, backed up by two Limbo anti-submarine mortars fitted aft. The Bidder homing torpedoes proved unsuccessful however, being too slow to catch modern submarines, and the torpedo tubes were soon removed.[7]

The ship was fitted with a Type 293Q surface/air search radar on the foremast, with a Type 277 height-finding radar on a short mast forward of the foremast. A Mark 6M fire control system (including a Type 275 radar) for the 4.5-inch guns was mounted above the ship's bridge, while a Type 974 navigation radar was also fitted.[8][9] The ship's sonar fit consisted of Type 174 search, Type 170 fire control sonar for Limbo and a Type 162 sonar for classifying targets on the sea floor.[9]

Lowestoft was laid down at Alexander Stephen and Sons's Linthouse, Glasgow shipyard on 19 June 1958, was launched on 23 June 1960 and completed on 26 September 1961.[10][11]

Modernisation[edit]

From 1967 to 1969 Lowestoft underwent a major modernisation, which brought the ship close in capacity to the Leander class.[12][13] A hangar and flight deck was added aft to allow a Westland Wasp helicopter to be operated, at the expense of one of the Limbo anti-submarine mortars, while a Seacat launcher and the associated GWS20 director was mounted on the hangar roof. Two 20-mm cannons were added either side of the ship's bridge. A MRS3 fire control system replaced the Mark 6M, and its integral Type 903 radar allowed the Type 277 height finder radar to be removed. A Type 993 surface/air-search radar replaced the existing Type 293Q radar, while the ship's defences were enhanced by the addition of the Corvus chaff rocket dispenser.[13][14]

Service[edit]

Lowestoft commissioned on 18 October 1961 and joined the 5th Frigate Squadron in March 1962.[12] Between 1961 and 1963 she was commanded by Raymond Lygo.

On 16 November 1962, a Westland Whirlwind helicopter from the aircraft carrier Hermes with five men aboard, including the politicians Lord Windlesham and John Cronin crashed off St Davids Head. Lowestoft took part in search operations after the crash, and while three survivors (including Cronin) were rescued by helicopters, Lord Windlesham's body was not found.[15] On 4 September 1964, Lowestoft took part in the ceremonies for the opening of the Forth Road Bridge. Later that day, Lowestoft collided with the cruiser Lion, which was moored under the bridge, having also taken place in the ceremony, in foggy conditions. Lowestoft sustained damage to her bows but returned to Rosyth dockyard under her own power. Lowestoft's navigating officer was convicted of negligently hazarding his ship at a court martial and was reprimanded.[16][17][18]

In January 1971, Lowestoft joined STANAVFORLANT, the NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic.[19]

From October 1976 to September 1977, Lowestoft was refitted at Portsmouth for her new role as a trials ship for towed array sonar arrays. She was again refitted, at Falmouth in October 1978.[12] In June 1982, as a result of the Falklands War, she was returned to operational service with the 7th Frigate Squadron after a short refit at Portsmouth, serving as guardship at Ascension Island.[12][20]

Lowestoft was paid off at Portsmouth on 29 March 1985,[20] and was placed on the Disposal list.[21] Lowestoft was sunk as a target off the Bahamas on 8 June 1986.[22]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Conway's states the crew of a Rothesay ranged from 200–235,[1] while Jane's Fighting Ships 1962–63 states a crew of 200 (9 officers and 191 ratings)[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Gardiner & Chumbley 1995, p. 519
  2. ^ a b Friedman 2008, pp. 321–322
  3. ^ Friedman 2008, pp. 206, 208, 322
  4. ^ Marriott 1983, pp. 58, 64
  5. ^ Blackman 1962, p. 265
  6. ^ Friedman 2008, pp. 208–209, 322
  7. ^ Marriott 1983, pp. 55, 58
  8. ^ Gardiner & Chumbley 1995, pp. 484, 519
  9. ^ a b Marriott 1983, p. 55
  10. ^ Friedman 2008, p. 337
  11. ^ Marriott 1983, p. 64
  12. ^ a b c d Critchley 1992, p. 107
  13. ^ a b Marriott 1983, p. 58
  14. ^ Friedman 2008, pp. 208–210
  15. ^ "Ld. Windlesham Missing at Sea". The Times. No. 55551. 17 November 1962. p. 8.
  16. ^ "Cruiser and Frigate in Collision". The Times. No. 56109. 5 September 1964. p. 8.
  17. ^ "Opening of Warship Collision Enquiry". The Times. No. 56112. 9 September 1964. p. 15.
  18. ^ "Officer Hazarded Frigate". The Times. No. 56149. 22 October 1964. p. 7.
  19. ^ "Lowestoft's New Job". Navy News. March 1971. p. 12. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
  20. ^ a b "End of trail for pioneer Lowestoft" (PDF). Navy News. May 1985. p. 3. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  21. ^ Moore 1985, p. 612
  22. ^ Colledge & Warlow 2006, p. 205

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=HMS_Lowestoft_(F103)&oldid=1196764799"