Warship World - Pictorial Review 45

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ISSUE 45 £4.75

PICTORIAL REVIEW

CARAT 2021

ROSYTH NAVY DAYS 1984

TO SAIL NO MORE

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Photo Crown copyright/MoD

HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge viewed from London Bridge. On 4th November 2021, over 200 uniformed sailors from the Royal Navy converged on the capital for London Poppy Day after last year’s fundraising effort was scaled back due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The sailors aimed to set a record in Europe’s biggest cash street collection of its kind, offering a unique opportunity for the public to engage with serving personnel in the city’s travel hubs.

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Warship World Pictorial Review 2021 - Issue 45

Published by:

Publisher/Editor: Peter van Schie peter@navybooks.com Executive Editor: Sheila Moloney warshipworld@navybooks.com

Contributors: Michael Nitz, Leo Marriott, Chris Sattler, David Smith, Raymond Wergan, Dave Cullen, Derek Fox, Ian Richardson, Daniel Ferro, Gordon Brodie, Francesco Bucca.

Subscriptions: Selina Palmer sales@navybooks.com

Production Manager: Claire Instone production@navybooks.com

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Warship World Pictorial is published 3 times per year at an annual subscription rate of £21.00 for the UK and £26.00 for overseas.

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Contents

Warships in the Spotlight Exercise CARAT 2021 UK Carrier Strike Group 2021 Operation CARIBBE 2021 French test new support ship with HMS Albion Rosyth Navy Days 1984 and 1985 To Sail No More: HMS Superb HMS Defender Warships from the Air

This issue features a selction of navy pictures from exercises and operations that have taken place around the world during 2021. Also included is a special feature on the French Navy who have been testing their own FS Garonne by towing one of Britain’s biggest warships through the Channel.

In addition, we have also sourced a wide range of fantastic photos from navies around the world for this edition of Warship World Pictorial Review.

Our shipbreaking feature - To Sail No More - appears to be popular with our readers and this time we have a closer look at HMS Superb. Leo Marriott looks at the Rosyth Navy Days 1984 and 1985 and ‘Warships from the Air’ includes images from the Fotoflite files.

Peter van Schie Publisher

ON THE FRONT COVER & ON THE BACK COVER

Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the magazine, but the publishers assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. All views expressed in this magazine are those of the respective contributors and are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher, neither do the publishers endorse any of the claims made in the articles or the advertisements.

© 2022 MCI Media Limited All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

Warship World Pictorial Review contains public sector information licensed under the UK Open Government Licence v1.0.

■ INS Shivalik (F47) is the lead ship of her Class of stealth multi-role frigates built for the Indian Navy. She was built at Mazagon Dock Limited located in Mumbai. She is followed by cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59). (Copyright US Navy)

■ The ARM Revolucion (P-164) became the fourth ship (out of eight) of the Oaxaca-class offshore patrol vessels when she was commissioned in the Mexican Navy during 2010. (Copyright Canadian Armed Forces)

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WARSHIPS

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

■ In November 2021, Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Winnipeg (FFH 338) arrived at Fleet Activities Okinawa White Beach Naval Facility for a port visit. Winnipeg’s visit to Okinawa is a planned port visit as the ship operates in the Indo-Pacific region to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea and to take part in multi-national training with the US Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. She is a Halifax-class frigate that has served in the Royal Canadian Navy since 1996 and is the ninth ship in her Class. (Photo US Navy/MCS2 Jessica Ann Hattell) ■ In October 2021, HMS Dragon, part of a UK Task force, visited numerous nations across the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Whilst alongside in Odessa, Ukraine, the Ship’s Company was treated to a concert by the Ukrainian Military Band.The deployment is intended to test new concepts of the Littoral Strike Group (which replaces the UK’s long-standing amphibious task group) and shapes the Future Commando Force (FCF) – the evolution of the Royal Marines into a hi-tech raiding/strike force – both of which are at the heart of the transformation of the Royal Navy as it enters the 2020s. The group will also support NATO’s Mediterranean security operation Sea Guardian – alongside new patrol ship HMS Trent which is now permanently based in the region – and provide options for the UK to respond to any potential crisis in the area. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD)

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■ It has been confirmed that an Astute-class submarine was deployed as part of the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group 21 (CSG21). Whilst operating within the Mediterranean the submarine conducted a rare surface; to interact and exercise with HMS Queen Elizabeth and the task group. The Strike Group included ships from the United States Navy, The Dutch Navy, and Marines from the US Marine Corps., as well as UK frigates, destroyers two RFA supply ships and air assets from 617 Sqn, 820 NAS, 815 NAS and 845 NAS. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD) ■ HNoMS Maud is a replenishment oiler constructed at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in South Korea. She replaced HNoMS Valkyrien as the naval logistics vessel. The vessel's primary task is to support naval forces with after-supplies.

The ship is the largest ship ever in the Royal Norwegian Navy, and is twice as large as the frigates of the Fridtjof Nansen Class.

The launch of the ship was originally planned for March 2016 but due to delays at the yard, delivery was postponed until the autumn of 2017, with operations set to begin in 2018. The delivery was later postponed until 30 April 2018, but due to damage to her main engines her delivery date was again postponed. The navy took delivery of Maud in a ceremony at the Daewoo shipyard on 16 November 2018. (Photo Derek Fox)

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■ US Army Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 35 Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, disembark the United States Army Vessel General Brehon B Somervell (LSV-3) after a 20 hour journey to Hawaii Island on 18 October 2021. USAV General Brehon B Somervell (LSV-3) is a General Frank S Besson-class logistics support vessel and was built by VT Halter Marine of Gulfport, Mississippi, USA. (US Army/Spc Rachel Christensen/28th Public Affairs Detachment)

■ In October 2021, HMS Middleton departed HMNB Portsmouth ready for deployment, and will be operating out of Bahrain in the North Arabian Gulf, conducting maritime security operations. HMS Middleton is a Mine Countermeasures Vessel (MCMV), that detects, investigates and destroys sea-bed threats with the use of high powered sonar, remote underwater vehicles and divers. HMS Middleton is one of eight Hunt-class MCMV that forms part of the Royal Navy’s Second Mine Countermeasures Squadron (MCM2) based in Portsmouth. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD)

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■ Royal Thai Navy ship HTMS Naresuan (FFG 421) steams alongside the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (not pictured) during an exercise for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2021. HTMS Naresuan was commissioned in 1995 and is a modified version of the Chinese-made Type 053 frigate. Although jointly-designed between the Royal Thai Navy and China, the frigate was built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Shanghai. (Photo US Navy/MCS2 Darcy McAtee) ■ HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej (FFG 471) is the lead ship of her class of frigates for the Royal Thai Navy, developed from the South Korean Navy Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer. The DW-3000F hull is different from the Gwanggaeto, due to the design of the ship having a reduced radar cross section and the capability to perform 3D combat operations on both the surface, underwater and air. She was built at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co Ltd, South Korea, from 2013 to 2018 and is the first ship of the High-Performance Frigate Boat Project of the Royal Thai Navy. (Photo Royal Thai Navy/ Cmdr Kamchai Charoenpongchai)

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■ The Royal Brunei Navy offshore patrol vessel KDB Daruttaqwa (DTQ 09), sails alongside the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Millinocket (not shown) during a ceremonial departure at the conclusion of the sea phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei. 2021 marks the 26th iteration of CARAT, a multi-national exercise designed to enhance US and partner navies' abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. (US Navy/Lt Alexander Laabs) ■ Throughout June 2021 HMS Protector has been in the Arctic Circle (north of 80 degrees latitude) carrying out ‘Ice Ramming Trials’ to ascertain the correct ‘Polar Code’ rating post refit. HMS Protector is the Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol Ship, and has recently completed a 5 yearly refit and subsequent Operational Sea Training package. One of the most versatile ships in the Royal Navy, she will also deploy to the Antarctic where she will carry out work supporting the UK’s obligations as one of the signatories to the Antarctic Treaties. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD)

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■ At the end of April 2021, both Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers docked side-by-side for the last time. HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed for her first operational deployment as flag ship for CSG21. The Carrier Strike Group operated and exercised with other countries Navies and Air Forces during the 7 month deployment. HMS Prince of Wales will sail for her first Operational Sea Training and at the end of 2021 took over as NATO Command Ship. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD) ■ In November 2021, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) arrived at US Fleet Activities Sasebo, becoming the newest addition to the forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF). Rushmore relieves another Whidbey Island-class ship, USS Germantown (LSD 42), which departed Sasebo on 15 September 2021, after more than a decade of FDNF service. These ships incorporate material handling equipment including elevators, package/roller conveyors and forklifts, pallet transporters, and a turntable. The turntable is located between the well deck and the helicopter deck forward of the boat deck to assist in the rapid turnaround of vehicles and equipment during loading/offloading operations. (Photo US Navy/MCS1 Jeremy Graham)

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■ In September 2021, sailors aboard Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kongo-class guided-missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) man the rails in preparation for a passing honours ceremony with (not shown) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90). The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the US 7th Fleet to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships. (US Navy/MCS2 Aaron T Smith) ■ JMSDF Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) steams in the Philippine Sea after joining the US Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). JS Ise has the ability to operate a large number of helicopters at the same time due to its vast full deck and large hull volume. As a result, it has superior anti-submarine warfare capability than conventional helicopter-equipped destroyers, and can also handle transport helicopters and rescue helicopters. As her hull size is larger than some conventional light aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, she may be compared with light aircraft carriers that operate STOVL aircraft, such as the F-35B and Harrier, but the Japanese Ministry of Defense has confirmed that operations of such fixed-wing aircraft has not (yet) been officially announced. (US Navy/MCS2 Jason Tarleton)

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■ Marines assigned to the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force, assemble a combat rubber raiding craft during a regularly scheduled exercise aboard the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726). Ohio is the first of her class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and guided missile submarines (SSGNs), and the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name. The Ohio-class SSBN was conceived in the early 1970s as an eventual successor to the original group of 41 SSBNs - the famed "41 For Freedom" - commissioned between 1959 and 1967. At 560 feet, the Ohios became the largest submarines ever built by the US Navy. (Photo US Navy/MCS1 Juan Antoine King) ■ HMS Queen Elizabeth returned home to Portsmouth after her maiden operational deployment which took the nation’s flagship to the Indo-Pacific and back. On a landmark seven-month mission – the most significant peacetime deployment by the Royal Navy in a generation – the aircraft carrier and her task group of eight supporting ships, a submarine, five air squadrons and more than 3,700 personnel visited more than 40 countries. Her F-35B stealth jets flew more than 4,000 hours, while the ship worked with allied and partner nations. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD)

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■ In November 2021, Royal Marines from 42 Commando, based on HMS Trent, exercised with the Italian Navy by boarding ITS Marceglia. They boarded from the stern of the ship, made their way through the quarter deck, clearing through to the upper deck. As part of the training exercise, the Italian Navy boarded HMS Trent - clearing the upper deck of all potential threats.

HMS Trent was off the coast of West Africa to provide operational training to various African nations. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD) ■ In September 2021, sailors manned the rails as the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) departed US Fleet Activities Sasebo. Germantown is returning to San Diego following a decade of service as a forward-deployed ship in US 7th Fleet. She is the second Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship in the United States Navy and the first ship in the Class to serve in the Pacific. The amphibious ship's mission is to project power ashore by transporting and launching amphibious craft and vehicles loaded with embarked Marines in support of an amphibious assault. The ship was designed specifically to operate with Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vessels. She has the largest capacity for these landing craft (four to five) of any US Navy amphibious platform. (Photo US Navy/MCS1 Jeremy Graham)

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■ In November 2021, sailors attached to the Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL) Diponegoro-class corvette KRI Diponegoro (365) participate in a maritime interdiction operation (MIO) during Cooperation Afloat and Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2021. (Photo US Navy/MCS3 Andrew Langholf)

■ Pictured is the Romanian frigate ROS Marasesti (F-111). The frigate was initially classified as a light cruiser by the Communist government and was named Muntenia, after a historical province of Romania. She was a Romanian project, with the exception of the armament which was licensed built or of Soviet origin. Unfortunately, she had an excessive topweight that caused stability problems even in calm waters. As a result, in June 1988 she returned to the shipyard where she underwent a major reconstruction programme that lasted until August 1992. On 27 August 1990, she was renamed Marasesti and on 1 April 2001 she was classified as a frigate by the Romanian General Staff.

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■ RRS Sir David Attenborough is a research vessel owned by the Natural Environment Research Council, to be operated by the British Antarctic Survey for the purposes of both research and logistic support. The ship is intended to replace a pair of existing vessels - RRS James Clark Ross and RRS Ernest Shackleton. The RRS Sir David Attenborough is one of the most advanced polar research vessels in the world. The commissioning of the ships is part of a major Government investment in polar infrastructure which will keep Britain at the forefront of world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic. Pictured is the state-of-the-art ship entering Portsmouth before departing the UK for her maiden voyage on 17 November 2021. (Photo Derek Fox) ■ On Wednesday 25August 2021, RFA Wave Knight (foreground) conducted a short training exercise with USS Burlington (in the background). The two ships conducted Replenishment-at-Sea approaches and have been operating in the vicinity of Haiti, providing assistance to the country after the earthquake earlier in the month which left thousands dead. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD)

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■ On 19th October 2021, HNLMS Evertsen (in the background) waved off USS The Sullivans as it leaves the Carrier Strike Group to head back to the United States. HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Defender, HMS Richmond, RFA Tidespring and RFA Fort Victoria also lined up to wave off USS The Sullivans. The Strike Group included ships from the United States Navy, the Dutch Navy, and Marines from the US Marine Corps. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD) ■ On 16 October 2021, US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) conducted a fuelling-at-sea with Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX). MPX 2021 is a multi-lateral maritime exercise between the Royal Australian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, UK Royal Navy, and US maritime forces - focusing on naval cooperation, interoperability, and regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and is an example of the enduring partnership between these maritime forces who routinely operate together in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo US Navy/MCS2 Christian Huntington)

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■ On 19 October 2021, after more than 13 months working with the UK Carrier Strike Group 21, including nearly eight months underway dating back to the summer of 2020, USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) detacheded from the strike group and began her transit home. Over the last seven months together, The Sullivans and HMS Queen Elizabeth have crossed over 40,000 nautical miles of open ocean in some of the world’s most contested waters, strengthening the two countries’ special relationship. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD) ■ In September 2021, the Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales (R09) came alongside the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Robert E Peary (T-AKE 5) for a a replenishment-at-sea. USNS Robert E Peary functions as the operational commander of Task Force 63 (CTF-63) - composed of all the US Sixth Fleet air and sea logistics including oilers, provision ships, and repair ships. Its mission is the delivery of supplies at sea, and effecting repairs to other ships and equipment of the Fleet. (Photo US Navy/Brandon Markey)

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■ Pictured in October 2021, the future guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) departing General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard, en-route to its homeport in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for its scheduled commissioning in December 2021.

The ship is named in honor of Daniel Inouye, who served as a US senator for Hawaii from 1963 until his death in 2012. He received the Medal of Honour on 21 June 2000 for his extraordinary heroism in action while serving with the 442nd Infantry Regimental Combat Team in Italy during World War II. (Photo US Navy/Bath Iron Works) ■ On 16 October 2021, HMS Defender’s wildcat helicopter fired the first operational Martlet missile in the Bay of Bengal as part of the Carrier Strike Group 21 Deployment. Martlet is a laser beam riding missile, it can be fired from the shoulder of ground troops or from a Wildcat HMA2. Martlet is the first of the FASGW (future anti-surface guided weapons) to be brought into service on Wildcat HMA2 with Sea Venom arriving shortly. The Wildcat is a phenomenally versatile aircraft and the inclusion of up to 20 missiles on each of the four embarked aircraft adds yet another potent capability to the Air Wing and the Carrier Strike Group. (Photo Crown copyright/MoD)

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CARAT 2021

Chief Quartermaster Johnathan Restrepo conducts navigation training with the Timor-Leste Defence Force from the pilot house aboard USS Charleston.

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Copyright US Navy/MCS3 Andrew Langholf

Copyright US Navy/MCS2 Ryan M Breeden

Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Millinocket.

Copyright Indonesian Navy

n November 2021, the 27th iteration of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise started in Indonesia. The CARAT series, which launched in 1995, is composed of multi-national exercises that enhance US and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in responding to maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. During the 11-day engagement, different navies participated in virtual training events and conducted complex at-sea training in the Java Sea, where they demonstrated the bilateral force’s ability to cooperate across many events. Some of the exercises included surface warfare; visit, board, search and seizure drills; mobile dive and salvage training; a gunnery exercise; maritime patrol operations; and exchanges between explosive ordnance disposal technicians. Virtual events included dive and salvage training, aviation and information sharing, force protection, maritime domain awareness, medical best practices and a legal symposium. CARAT 2021 also included divisional tactics to enhance communication as ships sailed together during manoeuvres and a tracking exercise to increase the navies’ abilities to track and pursue targets through the coordinated deployment of surface ships and maritime patrol aircraft. The Indonesian Navy has participated in the annual CARAT series since its inception, whilst navy personnel from Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand also participate in the series and have all done so for more than a decade. The CARAT exercise concluded on 9 December with an at-sea phase taking place in the Bay of Bengal, where US Navy assets were joined by ships and aircraft from the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Navy. US assets participating in this exercise included the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) and

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CARAT 2021

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Sailors conduct flight deck firefighting training with the Timor-Leste Defence Force aboard USS Charleston.

Copyright US Navy/MCS2 Ryan M Breeden

United States Marines from the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, land on Forrest Beach, Queensland, as part of an amphibious assault activity, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021.

embarked MH-60S Seahawk helicopter of Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 21. US personnel included staff from Commander Task Force (CTF) 72, CTF 75, CTF 76, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, US 7th Fleet Band and US Embassy Dhaka. “I am confident that this visit of USS Tulsa, including performing exercises with the Bangladesh Navy at sea, is a milestone in enhancing the relationship between our navies in greater mutual maritime cooperation,” said Captain A N M Ishtiaq Jahan Farouqee, Commanding Officer of Bangladesh Navy guided-missile frigate BNS Bangabandhu (F 25). The exercise also enabled the vessels to sail together in complex formations, as well as focus on surface warfare, replenishment-at-sea, search and rescue, a gunnery exercise, and exchanges between Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians. The inter-governmental organisation personnel from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also provided training through their Global Maritime Crime Programme, and the Bali Process Regional Support Office (BP-RSO) provided subject matter expertise on combatting people smuggling and human trafficking by sea. “As maritime nations with a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, we use CARAT to contribute to regional maritime security by enhancing our ability to work side-by-side at sea as well as in the planning process,” said Captain Tom Ogden, Commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. As the US Navy’s forward-deployed destroyer squadron in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore, functions as ESG 7’s Sea Combat Commander, and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements.

USS Jackson (LCS 6),Tentra Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL) Diponegoro-class corvette KRI Diponegoro (365) - on the right - and Martadinata-class frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332) - on the left - transit the Java Sea.

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CARAT 2021

Copyright Sri Lanka Navy

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Top left: MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, assigned to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston, participates in a vertical replenishment exercise with Sri Lanka Navy Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS Gajabahu (P-626) and SLNS Sayurala (P-623).

Top right: A Royal Thai Navy helicopter approaches the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20).

Bottom right: Royal Thai Navy ship HTMS Naresuan (FFG 421) leads a battle line of war ships during CARAT 2021.

Bottom left: Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Aaron Machart fires a .50-caliber machine gun aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa.

Issue 45 Pictorial Review Warship World

Copyright US Navy/MCS2 Darcy McAtee

Copyright US Navy/MCS1 Devin M Langer

Copyright Royal Thai Navy

CARAT 2021

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CARAT 2021

Copyright US Navy/MCS1 Devin M Langer

Bangladesh Navy patrol frigate BNS Somudra Avijan approaches USS Tulsa for a replenishment-at-sea exercise.

Tulsa, part of DESRON 7, is on a rotational deployment, operating in the US 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Copyright Sri Lanka Navy

MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, assigned to USS Charleston, lands on the deck of SLNS Sayurala during a deck land qualification exercise.

“This joint exercise aims to improve the capabilities of the Navy personnel in the field of warfare capability and become a place for sharing our knowledge and enhancing the skills of naval warfare as well as interoperability in facing maritime security challenges in the two countries.”

1st Admiral Rachmad Jayadi, 2nd Fleet Command Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, known as Tentera Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL).

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CARAT 2021

PICTORIAL Copyright Sri Lanka Navy

The Tentra Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL) Martadinata-class frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (332) foreground - and the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) transit the Java Sea.

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CARAT 2021

Copyright US Navy/MCS2 Darcy McAtee

Royal Thai Navy ship HTMS Naresuan (FFG 421) steams alongside the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) during an exercise.

“As maritime nations with a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, we use CARAT to contribute to regional maritime security by enhancing our ability to work side-by-side at sea as well as in the planning process.”

Captain Tom Ogden, Commodore, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7.

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CARAT 2021

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Copyright US Navy/MCS3 Andrew Langholf

Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL) Martadinata-class frigate KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai comes alongside USS Jackson (LCS 6).

Copyright Sri Lanka Navy

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, assigned to USS Charleston (LCS 18), flies with cargo during a vertical replenishment exercise with Sri Lanka Navy Advanced OPV SLNS Gajabahu (P-626) pictured - and SLNS Sayurala (P-623).

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Carrier Strike Group 21

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n 9 December 2021, destroyers HMS Defender and HMS Diamond sailed into Portsmouth, 60 minutes apart and a few hours ahead of the nation’s flagship, aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. On a landmark seven-month mission the aircraft carrier and her task group of eight supporting ships, a submarine, five air squadrons and more than 3,700 personnel, visited more than 40 countries. Her F-35B stealth jets flew more than 4,000 sorties, including combat sorties bombing remaining elements of Daesh, while the ship worked with allied and partner nations forging new ties, renewing old friendships and flying the flag for Britain. A day before arrival saw 820 Naval Air Squadron and 617 Squadron departing HMS Queen Elizabeth for the final time. The Merlin Mk2 aircraft took off first shortly followed by the F-35B Lightening Jets.

Both Squadrons returned to their respective units at RNAS Culdrose and RAF Marham. Type 23 frigate HMS Kent arrived the folllowing day in Portsmouth while RFA Tidespring arrived earlier that week.

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Carrier Strike Group 21

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All photos Crown copyright/MoD

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Operation Caribbe 2021

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All photos copyright Canadian Armed Forces

n December 16, 2021 HMCS Harry DeWolf returned to port in Halifax, Canada, following four months at sea (read the full story in the January/February 2021 issue of Warship World).The ship began its historic journey in Canada’s arctic as part of Operation NANOOK then continued on a subsequent circumnavigation of North America in support of Operation CARIBBE. During this deployment, HMCS Harry DeWolf, working in support of their embarked United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment, successfully supported two interdictions with law enforcement officials seizing a combined 2,589 kgs of cocaine.

Operation CARIBBE is an US-led enhanced counter-narcotics operation in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. Under this operation, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) ships and aircraft deploy to the region on a rotational basis to support the US mission to suppress trafficking in international waters. This operation involves periodic deployments, meaning that ships and aircraft participate in it at different times during the year. The number of CAF members deployed on Operation CARIBBE has varied over time, depending on the number and size of ships and aircraft.

Canada sends Royal Canadian Navy warships to work closely with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The warships find and track vessels of interest. The USCG law enforcement teams then approach these vessels and intercept them. The teams then board and inspect the ship and cargo.

Operation CARIBBE began in November 2006 and in October 2010, it expanded with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US and Canada. The MoU allows USCG teams to operate from Canadian warships. Over the past fifteen years, the CAF has contributed to the disruption or seizure of more than 112 tonnes of cocaine.

A crew member launches a PUMA UAV in order to conduct drug interdiction surveillance during the operation.

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Operation Caribbe 2021

PICTORIAL

Royal Canadian Navy members aboard HMCS Harry DeWolf ’s bridge manoeuvre the ship as it prepares to enter into the Port of Montego Bay, Jamaica during Operation CARIBBE, 1 December 2021.

A crew member aboard HMCS Harry DeWolf stands by to attach the Cranston Eagle hook to a Hammerhead Unmanned Surface Vehicle Target and lower it into the ocean as part of a weapons firing exercise during the operation.

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PICTORIAL

Operation Caribbe 2021

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Operation Caribbe 2021

PICTORIAL

Left: Seen here, HMCS Moncton, a Kingston-class coastal defence vessel, patrols the Caribbean sea during Operation CARIBBE in March 2021.

Middle left: A crew member (left) takes careful aim at a Hammerhead Target with a 0.25mm gun while on a weapons firing exercise during the operation.

Bottom left: In May 2021, HMCS Saskatoon sailed in a column formation with Mexican Navy offshore patrol vessel, Revolucion, and US Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward astern in the eastern Pacific during a passing exercise.

Below: A crew member operates the radar system to monitor the ship’s surroundings as it approaches the port of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Bottom right: In June 2021, HMCS Shawinigan - another Kingston-class coastal defence vessel, took part in Operation CARIBBE.

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HMS Albion

French test new support ship with HMS Albion

O

ne of four new specialist Loire-class support ships built for the French Navy, FS Garonne, towed one of Britain’s biggest warships through the Channel to test the power of the new specialist ship.

FS Garonne hauled HMS Albion past the coast of Devon to assess its pulling strength and abilities, as well as hone Anglo-French naval co-operation and the Royal Navy’s own emergency procedures. Garonne is designed to provide a multitude of services, from supporting diving operations and dealing with pollution in the aftermath of a spillage at sea, to assisting submarines and surface ships, including salvage operations. Classified as ‘metropolitan support and assistance ships’ they have been designed with the ability of towing France’s next-generation aircraft carrier due to enter service in the mid-2030s and displacing 75,000 tonnes. While sailors train extensively to fix problems without the need for outside help, sometimes damage is too extensive or breakdowns are beyond solving ‘in house’ and the ship requires towing to a safe haven. Hence, the Plymouth-based amphibious assault ship pretended to be ‘dead in the water’ in the Channel with the Garonne throwing her a line, figuratively and physically. With HMS Queen Elizabeth deployed and her sister Prince of Wales undergoing maintenance in Portsmouth Naval Base, the next largest British warship HMS Albion (18,500 tonnes, 176 metres long and 29 metres wide) acted as the ‘breakdown victim’ to test the Garonne’s towing ability. The complex seamanship exercise was also overseen by the MoD’s Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) team which provides salvage, towing, and heavy lift capability. “Exercises such as this are fundamental to ensuring an enduring seamanship capability between international maritime partners is maintained. This tested HMS Albion’s ability to be towed safely in the event of an emergency,” said David Price, SALMO representative onboard HMS Albion.

“The ability to integrate quickly and effectively with international partners is a key component to operating as a global navy, supporting global Britain,” said Commander James Walton, HMS Albion’s Second in Command. “Our French Naval counterparts are highly skilled and professional - it was a delight working with them.” Before participating in the Towing Exercise, Garonne carried out intensive trials and training to prove her ability to work with NATO’s Submarine Rescue System (NSRS). The jointly-owned UK, French and Norwegian system is capable of diving down to a submarine in distress, docking with the escape hatches and carrying out an evacuation.

One of the key parts of the system is a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) used to confirm the location of disabled submarines and supply them with

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View from FS Garonne as she tows HMS Albion.

All photos Crown copyright

PICTORIAL

RN staff on Garonne during NSRS exercises. life support equipment and to clear any debris or wires entangling the vessel. The NSRS team, headed by Royal Navy Commander Richard Cragg, worked with Garonne’s crew to carry out tests with the ROV which will speed up emergency reaction time. The NSRS is designed to be transported anywhere in the world within 72 hours to support the global submarine rescue network and is based at the home of the UK’s Submarine Service at Clyde Naval Base in Scotland.

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HMS Albion

PICTORIAL

Royal Navy and French Navy sailors work together on FS Garonne.

FS Garonne towing HMS Albion in the Channel.

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PICTORIAL

HMS Albion

FS Garonne towing HMS Albion.

Inset: Albion’s crew on her forecastle work with the Garonne to ensure a safe tow.

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HMS Albion

PICTORIAL

Sailors on FS Garonne salute HMS Albion.

FS Garonne preparing to tow HMS Albion in the Channel.

FS Garonne takes up the tow.

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Rosyth Navy Days 1984 and 1985 HISTORY

Leo Marriott

For almost 100 years Navy Days were held at the major dockyards. They were always immensely popular but, with a shrinking Navy and relentless budget cuts, the tradition was finally abandoned in 2010. To give a flavour of those events this article focuses on Navy Days held at Rosyth in 1984 and 1985. As can be seen here, a popular feature in 1984 was a trip afloat in one of the tenders operated by the RMAS (Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service). Blakeney (A104) was one of over three dozen similar tenders operated by the RMAS at the time and she was later transported to support naval activity in the Falklands. The RMAS was finally disbanded in 2008 when its tasks and remaining vessels were taken over by Serco.

Blakeney would take passengers out onto the waters of the Firth of Forth where they would be able get a close up view of the fleet replenishment ship RFA Regent (A486). Her main role was to carry and transfer ammunition, food and general stores to the Navy’s ships at sea. Displacing almost 23,000 tonnes at full load, she and her sister ship, Resource (A480), were both commissioned in 1967. Surprisingly, they were the first ships designed and built for this specific role, earlier replenishment ships being conversions of other vessels. Regent supported operations during the 1991 Gulf War but was decommissioned the following year.

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Leo Marriott

HISTORY

All images are Author’s copyright.

In 1984 Rosyth became the base for the newly formed 3rd Mine Countermeasures Squadron which comprised several of the once numerous Ton-class minesweepers. In this 1985 view the inboard vessel is HMS Bildeston (M1110) which had joined 3 MCMS earlier that year. However the subject in the foreground is HMS Cuxton (M1125) which had just been allocated to the Northern Ireland Squadron to act as a patrol vessel in support of security forces engaged in the Province, hence the Combined Ops badge on the funnel.

Also based at Rosyth in 1984 was HMS Cattistock (M31), a Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel. She was the third ship of the Class to be completed and commissioned on 5 March 1982, subsequently joining her sister ships Brecon and Ledbury with the First MCM Squadron at Rosyth.

At the time these were the largest GRP hulled ships in the world and, equipped with advanced mine hunting sonars and PAP Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV), they were amongst the most advanced of their type in service with any navy. Of the thirteen original commissioned, only six remain in service today.

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HISTORY

Leo Marriott Star attraction at the 1985 Navy Days was the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible (R05) which only three years earlier had played a pivotal role in Operation Corporate to recover the Falkland Islands. Visitors flocked to explore the ship and on the flight deck was a Sea Harrier fighter and a Sea King helicopter for them to inspect.

At this time the ship still carried the twin launcher for Sea Dart missiles on the forecastle although this was eventually removed in 2000 to allow the forward flight deck aircraft park to be extended. Just behind the launcher can be seen the on-mounting radar dome of a Phalanx CIWS which, together with a second mounting aft, was fitted in the immediate aftermath of the Falklands War. At right, in the background are frigates of the Dutch Navy.

The Royal Navy commissioned no less than twenty six Leander-class frigates between 1963 and 1973.

However by the mid 1980s most had undergone conversion programmes in which the original armament was replaced by new guided missiles and weapons systems. HMS Argonaut (F56), shown here at Rosyth in 1985, was a Batch 1 ship that had completed a three year refit in 1980 in which her 4.5in mounting was replaced by a battery of four Exocet missile launchers and two additional Seacat missile systems were fitted. In 1983 she was one of five Leanders to be further upgraded by the installation of a Type 2031 towed array sonar and its associated winch can be seen mounted on the stern.

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Leo Marriott

HISTORY

Not every ship present at Rosyth Navy Days was open to the public.

In 1985 the Type 42 Destroyer HMS Glasgow (D88) fell into this category as she was having work done on her radar and communication aerial systems. However sister ship HMS Southampton (D90) was also present and, secured inboard of HMS Argonaut, was open to public viewing.

The fifth of six Batch 1 Type 42s, HMS Glasgow was launched on 14 April 1976 and commissioned on 24 May 1979. During the Falklands War she was hit by a bomb from an Argentine A-4 Skyhawk but fortunately it did not explode, however it did knock out the Tyne cruising gas turbines, reducing the ship’s operational effectiveness and forcing her to withdraw.

Secured in the entrance lock to Rosyth’s main basin was the Spruance-class missile armed destroyer USS O’Bannon (DG987) which was a popular attraction at the 1985 Navy Days. At a full load displacement of around 8,000 tonnes, she was considerably larger than the contemporary British Type 42 destroyers and more heavily armed with two 5in guns, two Phalanx CIWS, and launchers for Sea Sparrow, Harpoon and ASROC missiles. However the Type 42s Sea Dart surface of air missile was capable of engaging targets at much greater ranges than the Sea Sparrow.

O’Bannon was laid down on 21 February 1977 and commissioned on 15 December 1979, the twenty fifth of thirty Spruance class destroyers to be built between 1972 and 1983.

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HISTORY

Leo Marriott

The annual Rosyth Navy Days were normally scheduled for mid-June and coincided with the end of major NATO exercises off the north coast of Scotland. Many of the participating ships then visited Rosyth before proceeding to their home ports. In 1985 this included a strong contingent of ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy which included the frigates Evertsen (F815), Kortenaer (F807), and Tromp (F801). Evertsen, secured on the outboard side of the trio, was one of six Dutch built Leanders (known as the Van Speijk Class) and commissioned in 1967. Apart from the use of Dutch radars and electronic equipment they were initially similar to the Royal Navy examples. However in the 1970s the twin 4.5in gun mounting was replaced by an OTO/Melera 76mm automatic gun, the Limbo mortar by Mk.32 torpedo tubes, fixed Harpoon launchers were installed between the funnel and the mainmast, and the flight deck extended to accommodate a Lynx helicopter.

In 1984, NATO visitors included this trio of German and Norwegian submarines. The outboard boat is a 450 tonnes diesel-electric Type 206 of the Bundesmarine (West German Navy), one of eighteen commissioned in the period 1973-1975. The noticeable bulge over the bow houses the sensors for the DBQS-21 active sonar. Inboard are HNoMS Utsira (S301) and HNoMS Utvaer (S303) of the Norwegian Navy. These are German built Type 207 submarines of which fifteen were delivered to Norway between 1964 and 1967. Slightly smaller than the Type 206, they were similarly armed with eight 533mm (21in) torpedo tubes. Utter was transferred to Denmark as HDMS Tumleren (S322) in 1989 while Utsira was scrapped in 1998. Just visible in the background is the French Navy submarine Psyché.

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Leo Marriott

HISTORY

Denmark was another NATO partner often represented at Rosyth. In 1985 two Willimoes-class fast missile boats were present HDMS Hammer (P542) and HDMS Krieger (P544). A total ten of these potent small warships were delivered from Danish yards in 1977/1978. Although displacing only 260 tonnes, they were capable of 40 knots and were armed with a 76mm automatic gun, eight Harpoon missile launchers and either two or four 533mm torpedo tubes. All eight boats were decommissioned in 2000 although one, Sehested (P547), has been preserved as a museum ship.

Although Navy Days was intended as a show case for the contemporary Navy, a blast from the past in the form of HMS Rame Head (A134) was laid up alongside at Rosyth in 1985. She was one of a class of twenty-one ships ordered during World War II designed to act as depot, maintenance and repair vessels. Built in Canadian shipyards, only sixteen were completed before VJ-Day in August 1945.

Rame Head was not commissioned as a Royal Navy ship (pennant number F34) until 18 August 1945 so took no part in the war. However she was adapted as a repair ship and continued in that role until the late 1970s when she was laid up and later attached HMS Excellent (Whale Island) as an accommodation ship.

Subsequently she was moored in Portsmouth Harbour and used for training exercises by the Special Boat Squadron before being sold off in 2008 and scrapped the following year.

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HMS Superb PICTORIAL

To Sail No More

HMS Superb’s keel was laid by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, of Wallsend, Tyne and Wear on 23 June 1942 and launched on 31 August 1943.

She was commissioned in to the Royal Navy on 16 November 1945. HMS Superb was the last of the Minotaurs-class light cruisers to be built, and was completed to a slightly different design to that of the previous ships of the class, with a foot more beam than her immediate predecessor HMS Swiftsure. Construction on her unfinished sister ships was halted after the end of the war and they were later scrapped, or converted into the new Tiger-class automatic gun cruiser. In 1946 Superb was involved in the Corfu Channel Incident, but otherwise had an unremarkable career.

In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Superb was the last of the 6-inch gun cruisers to be completed and also one of the first of this type to be broken up. Plans for her modernisation were abandoned after the 1957 defence review.

No more cruiser modernisations were approved, with new guided missile ships to take precedence.

Superb from aft on 21 March 1961, riding high in the water and soon to be towed to Troon.

HMS Jamaica alongside has been barely touched.

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To Sail No More

PICTORIAL

Cruiser Superb (8,800 tonnes 1945) was laid up in the Gareloch from 1957, as seen here on 10 June 1960. She made the voyage to Arnott,Young at Dalmuir arriving on 8 August.

Above: A view on the same day looking at Superb’s aft end from Jamaica. The forward engine room has been exposed with its mass of asbestos lagged pipework. At that time, the hazards of working with asbestos were not fully understood, so no precautions were being taken during its removal.

Below: By 21 March 1961, Superb is well cut down, mostly to lower deck level. ‘B’ barbette has been cleared of the 6-inch mounting, while some of ammunition hoist machinery is still visible in ‘A’ barbette.

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PICTORIAL

To Sail No More

Superb’s hulk was towed to Troon on 16 May 1961, and beached drawing 10ft 9in aft but only 3ft 6in forward, so she was afloat at high tide (with her propellors below this waterline) but more or less dry at low tide. As required ship speed was signalled to the engine room by propellor revolutions per minute, the bridge needed a conversion table of Speed-RPM. The speeds given are for no paravanes streamed and Asdic dome raised. The brass plate (pictured opposite) shows the effect of months out of drydock, where each extra three months added about 2 rpm to maintain speed - although the figure engraved of 266 for 29 knots 6 months out of dock is an error for 286. In this condition she required her full 80,000 shp burning 23.8 tonnes of oil per hour giving her an endurance of 2,200 nautical miles.

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To Sail No More

PICTORIAL

Above left: A close up of the Superb’s forward engine room pipework on 21 March 1961. It is easy to see why extracting valuable non-ferrous from such ships was a labour intensive business.

The ship’s side to port still extends to the upper deck, probably to make access to Jamaica easier.

Above: A year later, on 8 June 1962, Superb’s after boiler room and engine room have yet to be cleared. The double hull structure not only provided some protection from damage but was used to store oil fuel. Her outturn was 6,641 tons of ferrous scrap, 777 of non-ferrous and 273 of re-usables and sundries, totalling 7,691 tonnes, with a gross value of £192,665 and a net value after costs of £128,655.

Superb’s stern has been demolished up to ‘Y’ turret by 8 June 1962, with rough draft marks painted on the bulkhead. The severed starboard inner propellor shaft can be seen at right.

The last piece was removed 30 August 1962, just over two years from demolition starting.

Meantime work switched to Jamaica’s newly arrived hulk.

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ROYAL NAVY HMS Defender

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Warships from the Air Warships from the Air

HISTORY

Images from the Fotoflite Library

HMS Eastbourne

A Type 12 frigate, Eastbourne was launched by Vickers-Armstrong Ltd, Tyne and completed in January 1958 at Barrow. She was the only one of the Whitby Class fitted with stabilisers. She undertook fishery protection duties and served in the Far East. In 1964 she joined the Dartmouth Training Squadron, being fitted with extra deckhouses and boats. In the 1972-73 her turret, mortars and gunnery director were removed. In 1976 she took part in the Cod War off Iceland and was holed in a collision with the gunboat Baldur. In 1979-80 she was fitted with paddle wheels, in lieu of propellors, for alongside training at Rosyth. She finally decommissioned in 1984 and was broken up at Inverkeithing in March 1985.

(Neg Number: BW664504)

HMS Highburton

A Ton-class minesweeper built by J.I. Thornycroft of Southampton and completed in June 1955. She was the first of the Class to be powered by Napier Deltic lightweight diesel machinery as opposed to the Mirrlees diesels of the earlier ships. She was allocated to the 105th MSS at Harwich before entering operational reserve at Chatham in 1957. In 1958, she returned to service initially with the 50th MSS, which became the 3rd MSS, both at Port Edgar. In July 1963 she took part in Operation Cableway, a joint RN/RNR live minesweeping exercise based at Den Helder, Holland.

Following a period in reserve at Gibraltar in 1972, she joined the Fishery Protection Squadron, where she remained until 1975. She decommissioned in 1976 and was sold to Tees Marine, Middlesborough, for breaking up in February 1978.

(Neg Number: BW681750)

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HISTORY

Warships from the Air

HMS Grenville

Leader of the eight ‘U’ class war built destroyers Grenville was built by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson, Wallsend, and launched on 12 October 1942. She was completed on 27 May 1943 and saw action during the Anzio landings and was also present for the D-day landings at Normandy. She also saw service east of Suez towards the end of hostilities against the Japanese. In 1953 she underwent conversion to a Type 15 anti-submarine frigate completing in 1954. She commissioned as leader of the 2nd TS and four years later transferred to the 5th FS. From 1960-64 she was in reserve at Gibraltar. She was towed to Portsmouth where she was converted to undertake trials for the Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment (ASWE) during which time she was fitted with additional masts, radar and deckhouses as required for trials. She was placed on the sales list in 1974 and in February 1983 was towed to Queensborough for breaking up.

(Neg Number: BW712908)

HMS Implacable

A fleet aircraft carrier, she was built by Fairfields, Govan, and completed on 28 August 1944. She carried out numerous air strikes on targets in Norwegian waters before being transferred to the British Pacific Fleet. Post war meant a period in reserve and under refit before serving for a year (1949-50) as Flagship of the C-in-C Home Fleet. From 1951-54 she was allocated to the training Squadron and was present at the Coronation Fleet Review as Flagship of the Flag Officer, Training Squadron. In 1954 she was reduced to reserve and in November 1955 commenced breaking up at Inverkeithing.

(Neg Number: BW19316)

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Warships from the Air

HISTORY

HMS Hardy

A Type 14 frigate, Hardy was the first of three such vessels built by Yarrows. She was laid down on 4 February 1953, launched on 25 November that year and completed on 15 December 1955. Her first three years were spent with 3 TS at Londonderry before paying-off for a refit. She then remained at Portland through to July 1975 when she paid off into the Standby Squadron at Chatham, returning to service for short periods from November 1976 - July 1977 (Portland Squadron) and October 1977 - April 1978 (2 FS Portland). In 1979 she moved to Portsmouth as an accommodation ship and in 1983 was towed from Portsmouth to waters off Gibraltar where she was sunk as a target ship having been hit by multiple Exocet, Sea Skua, gunfire and finally a torpedo.

(Neg Number: BW712920)

HMS Isis

Built as the Ley-class inshore minehunter Cradley, she was completed by Saunders Roe, being completed in May 1955. They differed from the Ham-class minesweepers in being of composite construction instead of all wooden. They featured an extended deckhouse and less powerful engines as they were not required to tow a sweep wire. She was maintained in reserve, land cradled at Hythe, until 1963 when she was allocated to the London division RNR and renamed Isis. From 1974 to 1981 she was attached to Southampton University RN Unit. She was sold in 1982 to Pounds of Portsmouth.

(Neg Number: BW724530)

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HISTORY

Warships from the Air

HMS Jewel

An Algerine-class minesweeper, she was built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast and completed in December 1944. From 1945-46 she served in the Far East before returning to the UK to be placed in reserve at Portsmouth. In 1948 she was attached to Tay division RNVR. The ship was brought forward from reserve in 1955 and refitted at Devonport to recommission for service in the Dartmouth Training Squadron. She was deployed for training of cadets from the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth until 1961 when she was placed in reserve. Placed on the Disposal List in 1966 she was sold to BISCO and towed to Inverkeithing for demolition where she arrived in April 1967.

(Neg Number: BWX7175)

RFA Hebe

A stores carrier built in 1962 by Henry Robb, she was one of a pair of Admiralty designed vessels chartered specifically for sea freighting duties.

They initially maintained a UK - Gibraltar - Malta - Aden - Singapore service and following the closure of the Suez Canal in 1967 they went via the Cape of Good Hope. In November 1978 she was severely damaged following an arson attack whilst berthed at Gibraltar. Declared a constructive total loss her charter was terminated and she was returned to her owners. She was purchased by Greek interests and returned to civilian service and, though she was to have a chequered history, she survived until 1987 finally arriving for breaking up at Cyprus in September.

(Neg Number: BW691823) These images are from the FOTOFLITE LIBRARY, the world’s largest library of maritime aerial photography, and are commercially available. Visit the Fotoflite website at www.fotoflite.com to view over 350,000 images.

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Photo Crown copyright/MoD

On 8th November 2021, aircraft from HMS Queen Elizabeth and USS Essex cross deck while in the Arabian Sea. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 cross-decked F35-B Lightning Jets from HMS Queen Elizabeth to amphibious assault ship USS Essex. Simultaneously, MV-22B Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, UH-1Y Venoms and AH-1Z Vipers from USS Essex crossed deck to HMS Queen Elizabeth.

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