Hms Plymouth F126

HMS Plymouth (F126) was the last of the type 12 anti-submarine frigates of the 'Rothesay'class in service. They were named after the coastal resorts.

Laid down on 1 July 1958, HMS Plymouth was launched on 20 July 1959 by Right Honourable Nancy, Viscountess Astor, CH, and complted on 16 June 1961 in Plymouth.

Designed with two boilers to provide steam propulsion to two shafts, she had a top speed of around 28 Knots. When built, HMS Plymouth was armed with twin 4.5 inch guns mounted in a single turret.
She was alo equipped with 40mm guns aft and two triple-barrelled anti-submarine mortars.

Within a year of her Commisioning HMS Plymouth was the leader of the Fourth frigate Squadron in the far east, taking part in many major multi-national excercises as part of SEATO. She then returned to the UK for a refit and to become the leader of the newly formed 22nd Escort Squadron.

She returned to the far east the following year to take part in further excercises and operations against Indonesian infiltration before returning to Britain.

Re-allocated to the 29th escort squadron in 1965, she carried out a third commision in the far east visiting Thailand, Singapore and Australia. She returned to home for Christmas in 1965.

In 1966 HMS Plymouth was converted to allow a flight deck for a wasp helicopter, and Sea cat missiles replacing the 40mm guns, the refit was compltetedby January 1969.
A further refit was conducted in 1972 and again in 1974 & 1978 the latter being a "major Refit" resulting in her being re-commisioned on January 1981 and became the new leader of 6th frigate Squadron at Rosyth.

HMS Plymouth was taking part in Excercise "Springtrain" off Gibraltar in April 1982 when she was diverted with other ships to join the South Atlantic Task Force.

Going ahead of the task force in company with HMS Antrim and RFA Tanker 'Tidepool' in order to repossess South Georgia. On 21st April she joined with HMS Emdurance in suport of the assault on South Georgia.

HMS Plymouth detetcted Argentine radio transmissions and soon after they spotted the Argentine submarine 'Santa Fe' and the submarine was engaged with depth charges, missile and machine gun fire.

HMS Plymouth and Antrim conducted Naval gunfire bombardment in support of the assault on South Georgia and the following morning the whole Island had been recaptured.


The surrender of the Islands was conducted on HMS Plymouth (26 April) the surrender was signed by the notorious Argenitinian commander 'Lt Cdr alfredo Astiz'

The ship then rejoined the task force in time for the first RAF Vulcan bomber raid on Stanley Airfield (Op Black Buck)

On 30 May HMS Plymouth came under heavy attack from Exocet missiles launched from Etendard Strike aircraft but the attacks were driven off without loss.

On 8th June whilst carrying out a daytime bombardment of Argentinian positions in 'San Carlos' HMS Plymouth cam under attack from five Argentine Dagger (Mirage V) aircraft

Although she was struck by 4 bombs and large number of cannon shells she succeded in drawing the enemy away from the amphibious shipping. During the attack on HMS Plymouth she destroyed 2 enemy aircraft and damaged 2 others.
Plymouth suffered 5 casualties on these attacks who all eventually recovered from their injuries.

The damage was substantial to HMS Plymouth however repairs were made and the ship continued to float and indeed fight, she returned to the gunline by 14 June which was the night before the Argentinian surrender.

HMS Plymouth returned to the UK for decommisioning in 1988. In her service she has been commissioned 8 times under 16 commanding officers, and has exercised all over the world, steaming over half a million miles.