Wikipedia

HMS Naiad (F39)

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

HMS Naiad (F39) was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy (RN). Like the rest of the class, Naiad was named after a figure or figure of mythology, in this case, the Naiads of Greek mythology. Naiad was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders of Scotstoun. She was launched on 4 November 1963 and commissioned on 15 March 1965.[1]

History
RN EnsignUnited Kingdom
NameHMS Naiad (F39)
OperatorRoyal Navy
BuilderYarrow Shipbuilders
Laid down30 October 1962
Launched4 November 1963
Commissioned17 March 1965 at Scotstoun
DecommissionedApril 1987
FateSunk as a target, 1990
General characteristics
Class and typeLeander-class frigate
Displacement
  • 2,500 tons (later 2,790 tons) standard
  • 2,962 tons (later 3,300 tons) full load
Length372 ft (113 m)
Beam43 ft (13 m)
Draught14 ft 10 in (4.52 m)
Propulsion2 Babcock & Wilcox oil-fired boilers, geared steam turbines delivering 22,370 kW (30,000 shp) to two shafts.
Speed27 knots (50 km/h)
Range7,400 km (4,600 miles) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Complement260
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Radar
    • Type 965 (air warning radar removed in batch 1 ships), Type 992 Q, Type 903, Type 974/978
  • Sonar
    • Type 162,184,199, later type 2031 towed array sonar
Armament
  • Initial
  • 2 x 4.5 inch guns (1 twin mounting Mk6)
  • 1 x Seacat surface-to-air missile launcher
  • 2 x 20mm guns (single mountings)
  • 1 x ASW Limbo mortar
  • As refitted (1973-5)
  • 1 x Ikara Anti submarine missile launcher
  • 2 x Seacat surface-to-air missile launchers
  • 2 x 40mm guns - single mountings
  • 2 x triple 324 mm (12.75) STWS-1 tubes for Mk 46 and Stingray ASW torpedoes
  • 1 x Limbo ASW Mortar
Aircraft carriedOne Westland Wasp ASW helicopter

Operational service

edit

In 1966, Naiad became the leader of the Northern Ireland Squadron and subsequently deployed to the Far East and South America. In June 1966 she was present at Kieler Woche (Kiel Week, in West Germany) and the Duke of Edinburgh held a state dinner on board in honour of West German President Heinrich Lubke. On 4 May 1967, she recommissioned for a general service commission and was present at Portsmouth Navy Days in that year.[2]

In 1970 Naiad deployed to the Far East, and while there, participated in the Beira Patrol, designed to prevent oil reaching the landlocked Rhodesia via the then Portuguese colony of Mozambique. She performed her second patrol the following year. The Beira Patrol was a regular deployment for the RN until 1975. In 1971 she was present at Portsmouth Navy Days.[3]

Ikara conversion

edit

In January 1973 Naiad began her modernisation at Devonport Dockyard, with her twin 4.5-in gun being replaced by the Australian-designed Ikara anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missile system. The modernisation was completed in 1975, and Naiad then became part of the 6th Frigate Squadron.

Third Cod War

edit
 
Naiad in 1982

The following year Naiad undertook a Fishery Protection Patrol during the Third Cod War, and on 24 April 1976, she was rammed by the Icelandic gunboat Tyr causing hull and bow damage.[4] The frigate began to take tons of water, which prompted damage control teams to build a concrete enclosure around the gash.[5] Naiad required dry docking at Devonport on her return home.[6]

In 1977, Naiad, like many other Leanders, took part in the Fleet Review, of the Royal Navy at Spithead in celebration of the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Naiad was positioned between Brighton and her sister-ship Andromeda.[7] In 1980 Naiad deployed to the Far East once again.

In 1981 Naiad deployed to the Mediterranean. From 1983 to 1984 she underwent a refit at Devonport Dockyard. In 1985 Naiad returned to the Mediterranean as part of the NATO multi-national squadron Naval On-call Force of the Mediterranean (NAVOCFORMED), the predecessor of the Standing Naval Force Mediterranean (STANAVFORMED). The following year Naiad joined the Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT), another NATO multi-national squadron.

Decommissioning and disposal

edit

In April 1987 Naiad was decommissioned.

In 1989 she was used for hull trials with the name Hulvul. On 24 September 1990, Naiad was towed from Portsmouth and sunk as a target.[8]

Commanding officers

edit
From To Captain
196? 196?
1964 1966 Commander John Cox RN[9]
1967 1967 Captain Sir Peter Anson Bt RN
1967 1971 Commander J N F Davenport RN
1971 1972 Commander A R Wood RN
1973 1975 Refit (Ikara Conversion)
1975 1977 Captain A Casdagli RN
1977 1977 Commander R C Dimmock RN
1977 1980 Commander Roy Newman RN
1980 1983 Commander P Cowling RN
1987 1987 Commander John Brice RN

References

edit
  1. ^ Marriott, Leo, 1983. Royal Navy Frigates 1945-1983, Ian Allan Ltd, p. 93.
  2. ^ Programme, Portsmouth Navy Days, 26–28 August 1967, HMSO, p. 11
  3. ^ Programme, Navy Days Portsmouth, 29th-31st August 1971, p. 13.
  4. ^ Flintham, Vic (2008). High Stakes: Britain's Air Arms in Action 1945-1990. Pen and Sword. p. 347. ISBN 978-1844158157.
  5. ^ "Cod Wars" (PDF). Plymouth Navy Days. August 1976.
  6. ^ "Shipyard news". Marine News. 30–31: 208. 1976.
  7. ^ Official Souvenir Programme, 1977. Silver Jubilee Fleet Review, HMSO
  8. ^ Colledge, J.J. (2003). Ships of the Royal Navy. p. 223. ISBN 1853675660.
  9. ^ Navy List, HMSO, 1966

Publications

edit
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=HMS_Naiad_(F39)&oldid=1251139204"