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HMS Argyll (F231)

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

HMS Argyll, 2009
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Argyll
OrderedSeptember 1986
BuilderYarrow Shipbuilders
Laid down20 March 1987
Launched8 April 1989
Commissioned31 May 1991
Out of serviceMay 2024
HomeportHMNB Portsmouth[1]
Identification
Motto
  • Ne Obliviscaris
  • ("Lest We Forget")
StatusSold to BAE Systems
BadgeShip's badge
General characteristics
Class and typeType 23 frigate
Displacement4,900 t (4,800 long tons; 5,400 short tons)[3]
Length133 m (436 ft 4 in)
Beam16.1 m (52 ft 10 in)
Draught7.3 m (23 ft 11 in)
Propulsion
SpeedIn excess of 28 kn (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Range7,500 nautical miles (14,000 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)
Complement185 (accommodation for up to 205)
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Aircraft carried
Aviation facilities

The third HMS Argyll is a Type 23 Duke-class frigate. Commissioned in 1991 and prior to her retirement, Argyll was the oldest serving Type 23 frigate in the Royal Navy. Like all of her class she was named after a British dukedom, in this case that of Argyll. HMS Argyll was laid down in March 1987 by Yarrow Shipbuilders at Glasgow, and launched in 1989 by Lady Wendy Levene, sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Paviors.[8]

Argyll was the first Type 23 to be fitted with the new Sea Ceptor missile system.[9] The ship, like her sisters HMS Monmouth, HMS Montrose, HMS Lancaster and HMS Iron Duke, did not receive the new Sonar 2087 upgrade that other frigates of the class subsequently received. Therefore she was regarded as a "general purpose" frigate without the more specialized anti-submarine capability of the other eight ships in the Type 23 fleet.[10]

Argyll was retired and sold to BAE Systems for apprentice training in 2024.[11][12]

Operational history

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1991–2000

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On 26 March 1994, Argyll's Lynx helicopter crashed into the sea off Andros Island in the West Indies while practising for an air display. The crew escaped and were rescued but the aircraft was unrecoverable after sinking in 5,000ft of water.[13]

In 2000, Argyll was part of the Royal Navy task force – Task Group 342.01 – comprising Illustrious, Ocean, Iron Duke, Chatham, and four RFA ships – that deployed to Sierra Leone as part of the British military intervention in the Sierra Leone civil war. During those operations, Argyll acted as the West African Guardship and remained off West Africa until September 2000. Throughout this period Argyll operated with her Lynx HMA Mk 8 helicopter. The Lynx undertook daily patrols and searches. The Lynx was instrumental to the successful completion of Operation Barras. During her deployment, the helicopter was scrambled to search for a missing passenger ferry. The aircraft's crew quickly located the vessel and provided escort for Argyll. Argyll saved fifty-eight lives from drowning. She was relieved by her sister-ship Iron Duke in September.[14] During this incident Argyll, assisted by HMS Ocean, laid the foundation for the Iron Duke Community School. This is a school for orphans in Freetown. President Kabbah of Sierra Leone decreed the school be named after the crew of Iron Duke for completing the construction of the six classrooms.[15]

2001–2010

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In 2001, while in the Bay of Biscay, Argyll suffered an electrical fire that was quickly put out by the ship's damage control team, with the ship suffering only minimal damage.[16]

Argyll completed a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf protecting two oil platforms, working with the American, Australian and Iraqi Navies from February to August 2005.[17] The ship made a short visit to Boulogne, then to its home port of Inveraray and finally to Liverpool,[18] before undergoing Operational Sea Trials. Argyll successfully completed Operational Sea Training and acted as a contingency platform whilst the Queen spent a week sailing on the Hebridean Princess in July 2006.

In September 2006 Argyll was deployed along with other ships such as Ocean and Albion where she completed two drugs raids on merchant ships totalling £50 million. They completed their operation in November of the same year.

In October 2007 Argyll returned to the Persian Gulf to take over from her sister-ship, Richmond.[19]

On 3 April 2008 more than 500 friends and relatives welcomed HMS Argyll as she returned to her home at Devonport after a deployment lasting six months in the Northern Persian Gulf. This was Argyll's second Gulf deployment to Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 in three years. This deployment included one patrol which lasted 52 days from January to March 2008. HMS Argyll was also at the 'Meet Your Navy' exhibition at HMNB Portsmouth 2008.[20][21]

6 May 2008 saw the crew return to Argyll, with the crew bidding their commanding officer of seven months, Commander Gavin Pritchard, a fond farewell. Pritchard was succeeded by Commander Peter Olive. Argyll was then to engage in a period of trials and training before entering a period of maintenance in June.[22]

11 May 2008 saw the Trans-Atlantic solo yacht race in Plymouth Sound started by the ceremonial cannon aboard Argyll. Dame Ellen MacArthur also attended the start of the race and Rear Admiral Richard Ibbotson, head of the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation, was also on board Argyll.[23][24]

On 21 July 2008 Argyll led the parade of tall ships out of Liverpool ahead of the Tall Ships Race starting 23 July.

On 18 February 2009, Argyll sailed from Devonport as part of the Taurus 09 deployment under Commander UK Amphibious Task Group, Commodore Peter Hudson, She was joined on this deployment by Landing Platform Dock Bulwark, as Hudson's flagship, Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH) Ocean, Type 23 frigate Somerset and four ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.[25] Argyll returned to Devonport on 17 April from this deployment.[26]

In early October 2010, Argyll and her crew arrived in Plymouth last week after an 11-month refit which included 290,000-man-hours spent on modifications, upgrades and improvements."[27] She has received a new command system, upgrades to Sea Wolf, the Mod1 4.5-inch (114mm) gun, and mounts for new small calibre guns.[27] She was also given new boat-launching equipment.[27] "The refit included the replacing of two of the vessel's four diesel generators and one of her gas turbine engines."[27] Her ventilation system has been improved.[27] "Along with fresh paint on the upper decks she has been coated below the waterline with a special paint to prevent the build-up of sea life which would slow the ship. This also makes her more fuel-efficient."[27] HMS Argyll was the first Type 23 frigate to undergo a second major refit.[27]

2011–2021

[edit]
HMS Argyll moored in the Royal Victoria Dock for DSEI 2017.

On Sunday 22 January 2012 it was announced that Argyll was part of a six-ship convoy which sailed through the Strait of Hormuz alongside French and United States Navy vessels, during a diplomatic dispute with Iran.[28] In a period after this she engaged in Exercise 'Goalkeeper' whilst still in the Middle East.[29]

On 30 June 2012, Armed Forces Day, she fired the salute in Plymouth as part of a steampast alongside RFA Mounts Bay, the Earl of Wessex was in attendance alongside the First Sea Lord.[30][31]

In 2013, she served a seven-month deployment to the Atlantic, having visited South Africa.[32] She also engaged in counter-narcotics work in the Eastern Pacific by travelling around Cape Horn and headed back to her home port via the Panama Canal.[33][34]

In March 2014, she accidentally fired a test (unarmed) torpedo whilst training at Devonport,[35] there were no injuries and minimal damage.

On 30 June 2014, she arrived in Hamilton, Bermuda for a three-day visit as part of her deployment to the North Atlantic and Caribbean.[36]

She arrived in Baltimore, Maryland, US on 11 September 2014 to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner.[37]

On 25 September 2014, she arrived in Veracruz.[38]

On 6 October 2014, HMS Argyll visited George Town, Grand Cayman, after having been on counter-narcotics deployment in August 2014 as part of Operation Martillo.[39] From 9 to 13 October 2014 HMS Argyll paid an official visit to the Dominican Republic during the course of which her flight deck hosted the baptism of Stefania Rozsa, daughter of the British Ambassador. On 18 October 2014, she arrived in Bermuda to provide assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Gonzalo.[40]

In 2014, a Lynx from Argyll identified a suspicious yacht in the Caribbean Sea, and a detachment of the U.S. Coast Guard operating from Argyll seized $16 million worth of cocaine found on the yacht. The group had seized an even larger shipment earlier on the same deployment.[41]

In 2015, Argyll underwent an extended Life Extension (LIFEX) refit in Devonport; she returned to sea in February 2017 with a new principal weapon system, Sea Ceptor, and numerous modifications and alterations to her accommodation and working spaces.[42][43] Argyll acted as the trials vessel for Sea Ceptor prior to resuming her operational duties and it was announced in September 2017 that she had undertaken the first firings of the new system earlier in the summer off the west coast of Scotland.[44]

In 2017, it was announced that Argyll would be sent to join military exercises in the Asia Pacific with the Five Power Defence Arrangements partners and also the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force.[45][46] Part of her mission is "to continue the pressure campaign on North Korea".[47]

On 11 March 2019, Argyll rescued a 27-strong crew from a burning container vessel Grande America 150 miles off the coast of France.[48]

On 15 March 2019 the ship returned to HMNB Devonport after a nine-month deployment to Southeast Asia.[49]

On 11 September 2019 it demonstrated the use of an autonomous PAC24 unmanned surface vehicle, a modified version of the boat the ship already carries, at the Defence and Security Equipment International 2019 exhibition. Also involved in the demonstration was an additional autonomous boat: the MAST-13.[50]

2022–present

[edit]

In May 2022, Argyll became the first Type 23 to have undergone a LIFEX refit to undergo a subsequent major upkeep period, which saw the ship dry-docked for an extended period to enable it to be retained in service until around 2027-28, when it was intended to be replaced by either HMS Glasgow or HMS Venturer.[51][52] In response to questions posed in Parliament, the Minister of State at the MoD, James Cartlidge, could not confirm that HMS Argyll would remain in service.[53] In May 2024, it was confirmed that the frigate would be retired and sold to BAE Systems to support apprentice training.[54]

In 2022, Argyll spent just 21 days at sea.[55]

Argyll had been scheduled to be withdrawn from service in 2023.[56] However, in 2021 in a written answer provided to the House of Commons Select Defence Committee, the First Sea Lord, Admiral Tony Radakin, suggested that older Type 23 frigates would be retained in service longer than anticipated in order to ensure that total escort numbers did not fall below 17 ships (6 destroyers and 11 frigates) and start to rise above 19 escorts starting in 2026. This would have required Argyll to have been kept in service significantly longer than anticipated.[57]

However in May 2024, it was indicated that she would be retired and sold to BAE Systems for apprentice training instead.[58][59] This occurred despite the fact that in May 2022 she began an 18-month refit with the intent of extending her service life until about 2027-28.[60]

[edit]
  • HMS Argyll off Senegal, in 2013
    HMS Argyll off Senegal, in 2013
  • HMS Argyll during Navydays Zeebrugge 2009
    HMS Argyll during Navydays Zeebrugge 2009
  • Harpoon anti-ship missiles on Argyll
    Harpoon anti-ship missiles on Argyll
  • 4.5-inch Mark 8 naval gun on board Argyll
    4.5-inch Mark 8 naval gun on board Argyll

Affiliations

[edit]

HMS Argyll was affiliated with:[61]

School Crest of the Dollar Academy, affiliate of HMS Argyll.

In July 2017, GB Railfreight named locomotive 66775 Argyll in honour of HMS Argyll in a ceremony at Devonport.[62][63]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "FOI(A) regarding the Royal Navy" (PDF). What do they know?. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Fleet Bridge Card" (PDF). Royal Navy. 27 February 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  3. ^ "Type 23 Frigate". Royal Navy. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  4. ^ Peruzzi, Luca. "Royal Navy unveiled Sea Ceptor and launched first user group at DSEI 2017". European Defence Review. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  5. ^ Scott, Richard (19 December 2023). "First NSM fit on RN Type 23 frigate". Janes. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Contenders for the Royal Navy's interim anti-ship missile requirement". navylookout.com. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
  7. ^ "In focus: the Fleet Solid Support ship design". Navy Lookout. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  8. ^ "HMS Argyll". The Worshipful Company of Paviors. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  9. ^ "HMS Argyll upkeep marks start of Type 23 life extension". ADS Advance. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  10. ^ Allison, George (25 March 2019). "What is the purpose of the Towed Array Patrol Ship?". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  11. ^ Allison, George (14 May 2024). "Two Royal Navy frigates to be retired". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  12. ^ Tringham, Kate (16 May 2024). "UK Royal Navy Type 23 frigates Argyll and Westminster to retire". Janes.com. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  13. ^ "UK Military Aircraft Losses".
  14. ^ "Summer 2000: Duties In Sierra Leone". The Worshipful Company of Paviors. 28 November 2000. Archived from the original on 13 March 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  15. ^ "Iron Duke completes 33,000-mile voyage". Navy News. 26 February 2001. Archived from the original on 7 March 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  16. ^ "Fire on board HMS Argyll". Navy News. 3 April 2001. Archived from the original on 1 May 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  17. ^ "August 2005: In Home Waters". The Worshipful Company of Paviors. 24 August 2005. Archived from the original on 23 March 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  18. ^ "HMS Argyll Arrives on Merseyside". Irish Sea Shipping. Archived from the original on 18 May 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  19. ^ "Naval News From Around The World". GoGibraltarSite.com. 4 October 2007. Archived from the original on 4 November 2007. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  20. ^ "Warm Welcome for HMS Argyll's Return to Devonport". Royal Navy. 31 March 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  21. ^ "Hundreds Cheer HMS Argyll Home To the UK". Royal Navy. 3 April 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  22. ^ "HMS Argyll Returns to Work". Royal Navy. 3 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 June 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  23. ^ "HMS Argyll Starts Trans-Atlantic Yacht Race". Royal Navy. 9 May 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  24. ^ "HMS Argyll Launches Trans-Atlantic Yacht Race". Royal Navy. 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 9 June 2008. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  25. ^ "Taurus 09". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
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  28. ^ "Iran escalation 'could see UK forces sent to Gulf". BBC News. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  29. ^ "Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS Argyll". Flickr. 8 September 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  30. ^ "Armed Forces Day National Event in Plymouth". Flickr. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  31. ^ "Armed Forces Day National Event in Plymouth". Flickr. 30 June 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  32. ^ "Argyll Visits South Africa". Royal Navy. 30 May 2013. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  33. ^ "Two oceans in one day for HMS Argyll". Navy News. 20 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  34. ^ "HMS Argyll due home from successful policing patrol". Royal Navy. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  35. ^ "HMS Argyll navy torpedo fired into Devonport wharf". BBC News. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  36. ^ Burton, James (29 June 2014). "HMS Argyll returns to Bermuda". Bermuda Sun. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  37. ^ "Star studded arrival in Baltimore". Royal Navy. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  38. ^ "El HSM Argyll, Atracó en Veracruz". El Mercurio de Veracruz (in Spanish). 26 September 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  39. ^ "Navy warship visits Cayman". Cayman Compass. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  40. ^ "Hurricane Gonzalo: Bermuda 'bruised' by direct hit". BBC News. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  41. ^ Drwiega, Andrew (29 October 2014). "USCG Employs Lynx Helicopter to Catch Cocaine Carriers". RotorAndWing.com. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  42. ^ New life for Dukes Ships Monthly October 2015 page 14
  43. ^ "HMS Argyll takes to the seas again after 20 month refit". The Herald. 7 February 2017. [dead link]
  44. ^ "Defence Minister announces successful first firings of Sea Ceptor missiles". Royal Navy. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  45. ^ Jones, Philip (11 September 2017). "DSEI Maritime Conference". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  46. ^ "UK security and defence collaboration with Japan steps up a level". Gov.uk. 31 August 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  47. ^ "Royal Navy warship to sail through disputed sea off China – Defence Secretary". Belfast Telegraph. 13 February 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2018.
  48. ^ "Navy crew saves 27 from burning ship". BBC News. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
  49. ^ "HMS Argyll returns from nine-month Pacific mission". Just Plymouth. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  50. ^ "HMS Argyll involved with autonomous tech trials". Royal Navy. London. 11 September 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  51. ^ "Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll – first to have post-LIFEX upkeep period". Navy Lookout. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  52. ^ Tringham, Kate (18 August 2022). "Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll starts post-life extension upkeep". Janes.
  53. ^ "HMS Argyll and HMS Westminster". They Work for You. 23 April 2024.
  54. ^ Allison, George (14 May 2024). "Two Royal Navy frigates to be retired". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  55. ^ Allison, George (1 June 2023). "Data reveals number of days warships spent at sea last year". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  56. ^ Andrew Robathan, Minister of State for the Armed Forces (6 September 2012). "Written Answers: HMS Argyll". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. col. 386W.
  57. ^ Allison, George (24 November 2021). "Royal Navy escort fleet to 'return above 19' warships by 2026". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  58. ^ Allison, George (14 May 2024). "Two Royal Navy frigates to be retired". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  59. ^ "HMS Argyll and HMS Westminster". They Work for You. 23 April 2024.
  60. ^ "Snapshot: The Royal Navy escort fleet in March 2023". Navy Lookout. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  61. ^ "Affiliations: HMS Argyll". Royal Navy. Archived from the original on 20 January 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  62. ^ "Sailors celebrate as train named in honour of Plymouth warship HMS Argyll". Just Plymouth. 12 July 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  63. ^ Class 66 naming honours military link Rail issue 832 2 August 2017 page 10
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