Ahoy there!
In february Clough Geo and myself visited HMS Bronnington which was fun but we have always wanted to have a look at the larger more horizontal HMS Plymouth, Then one afternoon whilst at work I get a text from Clough saying that the tides are perfect and we were on our way a few hours later.
During her lifetime, Plymouth served in a variety of locations, including the Far East and Australia. She saw action in the Cod Wars between the United Kingdom and Iceland and also the Falklands War in 1982.
Plymouth was one of the first Royal Navy ships to arrive in the South Atlantic following the Argentine invasion of theFalkland Islands and South Georgia. Plymouth alongside Antrim, Brilliant and Endurance took part in the recapturing of South Georgia on 28 April during Operation Paraquet. Plymouth landed Royal Marines from her Westland Wasp helicopters and bombarded Argentine troop positions on the island. Later her Wasp helicopter took part in an attack on the Argentinian submarine Santa Fe, which was badly damaged and later captured by Royal Marines. Plymouth rejoined the task force and supported troops on the ground by bombarding Argentine troop positions with her 4.5-inch (114 mm) guns.
On June 8, Plymouth was attacked by Dagger fighter bombers of FAA Grupo 6. Able Seaman Phil Orr fired her Sea Cat missile system at them, claiming the destruction of two aircraft. Later it was determined that no Dagger was lost in action that day.
Plymouth was hit by four bombs and several cannon shells. One bomb hit the flight deck, detonating a depth charge and starting a fire, one went straight through her funnel and two more destroyed her Limbo anti-submarine mortar. MEM's John Fearon, David Rance, Gary Borthwick, Robin Cunningham, Alan Harsent, Ray Potts and kevin Gallagher were part of the damage control and fire fighting teams crucial to saving yht ship. All of the bombs failed to explode. Five men were injured in the attack.
The wardroom of the Plymouth was where the surrender of Argentine Forces in South Georgia was signed by Lieutenant Alfredo Astiz.She returned to Rosyth Dockyard after the war for full repair and refit
The following year, Plymouth served as the West Indies guard ship. On 11 March 1984 Plymouth was involved in a collision with the German Köln-class frigate Braunschweig and in 1986 she suffered a boiler room fire, killing two sailors.
Class and type: Rothesay-class frigate
Displacement: 2,150 tons standard
2,560 tons full load
Length: 370 ft (110 m)
Beam: 41 ft (12 m)
Draught: 17.3 ft (5.3 m)
Installed power: 30,000 shp (22,000 kW)
Propulsion: Y-100 plant
2 × Babcock and Wilcox boilers
2 × English Electric steam turbines
2 × shafts
Speed: 30 knots (56 km/h)
Range: 400 tons oil fuel, 5,200 nautical miles (9,600 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement: 152, later 225, modified to 235
Sensors and
processing systems: Electronics (as built):
Radar Type 293Q target indication
Radar Type 277Q height finding
Radar Type 275 fire control on director Mark 6M
Radar Type 974 navigation
Type 1010 Cossor Mark 10 IFF
Sonar Type 174 search
Sonar Type 162 target classification
Sonar Type 170 attackElectronics (as modified):
Radar Type 993 target indication
Radar Type 903 fire control on director MRS3
Radar Type 978 navigation
Type 1010 Cossor Mark 10 IFF
Sonar Type 177 search
Sonar Type 162 target classification
Sonar Type 170 attack
Armament: Armament (as built):
1 x twin 4.5in gun Mark 6
1 x 40 mm Bofors gun Mark 7
2 x Limbo A/S mortar Mark 10
12 x 21-in A/S torpedo tubes (removed or never shipped)Armament (as modified):
1 x twin 4.5in gun Mark 6
1 x Sea Cat GWS-20 SAM
2 x 20 mm Oerlikon guns
1 x Limbo A/S mortar Mark 10
2 x 8-barrel 3in Knebworth/Corvus countermeasures launchers
Aircraft carried: Wasp helicopter
Visited with Clough Geovdub and The Kwan.
Also many thanks to the Kwan for showing us around the ship and making sure we didnt fall over board from the starboard and the rear.
Also you should listen to this for true immersion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQH3nFmaIFk
Also it's only got about 4 weeks left and then its headed for turkey to end up on a scrap heap so if you want to have a look for yourself go for it.