Type 42 Class destroyer

2nd Apr 2008

First Minister to See Royal Navy Capability First Hand as Type 42 Destroyer Visits Welsh Capital

Royal Navy warship HMS Southampton will be alongside Millennium Quay in Cardiff Bay on Friday (April 4) and will open its gangways to thousands of visitors – including the Welsh First Minister, the Right Honourable Rhodri Morgan AM.

The ship is open to visitors on Saturday the 5th from 10am until 2pm and on the Monday will host a Maritime Resilience Capability Demonstration for the Welsh Resilience Forum which is chaired by the First Minister for Wales.

The “Ship Open to Visitors” programme on the Saturday allows friends, family and enthusiasts to see for themselves the capabilities of a Type 42 destroyer.

The Maritime Resilience Capability Demonstration is a more detailed demonstration of the contribution the Royal Navy could make in the event of a large scale incident or emergency in the region that would require cooperation from a number of different civil and military organisations.

Members of the Welsh Resilience Forum will hear from the Naval Regional Commander, Commodore Jamie Miller CBE, about how the Royal Navy could provide assistance to the civil authorities (as happened, for example, during the flood in Gloucestershire last summer).

The Commanding Officer of HMS Southampton, Commander Richard Morris, said: “This visit to Cardiff is crucial to our relationship with the city and we want to demonstrate that as well as being a highly capable warship we can also play a vital role in peacetime operations - anywhere in the world.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the First Minister and know that he will be impressed by what he sees.”

Last year saw HMS Southampton deployed for eight months in the South Atlantic as the Royal Navy’s ‘on call’ warship in the region, known as Atlantic Patrol Task (South). Her journey to and from the South Atlantic took her to places as diverse as the beaches of Barbados and the glaciers of South Georgia. Over the course of the deployment, the Ship visited fourteen foreign ports, and conducted a large scale military exercise with naval units from Chile, the United States, France and Argentina. During her time in the Falkland Islands she conducted training exercises with other UK forces, and practiced a disaster relief exercise on the island of South Georgia.


HMS Southampton [Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy

PERSIAN GULF (March 29, 2008) The British destroyer HMS Manchester (D 95) prepares to come alongside the fast combat support ship USNS Artic (T AOE 8 ) during an underway replenishment.

Photo © U.S. Navy (by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ann Marie Lazarek)

click the image for a larger version

14th Apr 2008

Southampton Conducts Submarine Training

HMS Southampton was involved in submarine training last week, aiding in the tuition of the Perisher Course. Along with other naval units she replicated the sort of scenarios that submarine commanders might experience.

One of the main purposes of the course is to fully test the candidates by putting them in stressful situations and as can be seen in the photograph, a Type 42 Destroyer bearing down on you is highly stress inducing.


HMS Southampton Conducts Submarine Training[Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 21, 2008) Capt. Herman Shelanski, the commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), stands at attention as he and his crew render honors to the British Royal Navy Destroyer HMS Manchester (D95). The Manchester departs the Truman Strike Group to return to her homeport following a deployment to the Persian Gulf.

Photo © U.S. Navy (by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Bookwalter)

click the image for a larger version

2nd Oct 2008

HMS Manchester Conducts High Seas Firing

HMS Manchester participated in exercises off the coast of Scotland as well as conducting a High Seas Firing recently, the ship will undertake BOST to test and improve its operational readiness.


High Seas Firing 30 sep 2008 - Manchester regenerates for the next deployment! [Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy

4 octobre 08

La Royal Navy réduit sa flotte de destroyers

La Royal Navy a mis sous cocon la moitié de sa flotte restante de destroyers dans une tentative désespérée d'économiser de l'argent.

Il ne reste plus désormais à la Royal Navy que 5 destroyers de lutte anti-aérienne pour protéger ses navires contre des attaques de missiles ou d’avions à un moment ou d’autres nations, comme la Chine, l’Inde ou l’Iran, investissent lourdement dans la lutte anti-navire.
Trois destroyers Type 42 — Exeter, Nottingham et Southampton — sont amarrés à Portsmouth avec un statut de "disponibilité réduite", avec jusqu’à 2 ans d’avance sur la date de désarmement prévu.

La force britannique de destroyers et de frégates a été réduite de 35 à 22 au cours de la dernière décennie, malgré les promesses du gouvernement qu’elle ne passerait pas en dessous de 25.

Il se passera encore 2 ans avant que le premiers des 6 destroyers Type 45, extrêmement sophistiqués, ne puisse être envoyé en opération.

Les pressions sur le budget de la Royal Navy sont immenses avec une réduction de 20% attendue pour les 10 prochaines années.

De hauts responsables de la Royal Navy ont déclaré à The Daily Telegraph que le pays prenait des "risques sérieux" dans la protection des groupes de porte-avions ou de navires amphibies. Ils ont accusé le gouvernement de négliger la Flotte qui protège 90% des importations du pays.

Ils rappellent l’excellente protection aérienne fournie par les Sea Harriers, qui ont été retirés du service il y a 2 ans, et qu’au moins 2 destroyers Type 42 sont partis en mission avec leur système de protection anti-missiles désarmé pour économiser de l’argent.

L’Exeter et le Southampton doivent être désarmés en 2009. Le Nottingham, qui avait été sévèrement endommagé après avoir heurté un récif en Australie en 2002, devrait être désarmé en 2010. Mais il est improbable qu’ils quittent à nouveau le port.

Malgré les réductions budgétaires, la Royal Navy continue d’effectuer des missions secrètes de surveillance contre certains pays, ont indiqué des officiers.

"Nous sommes complètement démunis en terme de défense aérienne et nous prenons beaucoup de risques sans les ressources suffisantes pour faire correctement le travail," a expliqué un commandant.

"Mais la Royal Navy a accompli des choses incroyables, dont nous devrions être fiers, contre certains pays au cours des dernières semaines.

"Mais ce genre de compétences sont si précieuses que nous ne pouvons nous permettre de les diminuer encore plus."

Malgré de vigoureux démentis du ministère de la défense, The Daily Telegraph avait annoncé l’an dernier que la Royal Navy risquait de perdre la moitié de sa flotte.

Un porte-parole de la Royal Navy a indiqué que les navires restent "disponibles pour des opérations avec le préavis approprié, si nécessaire".

"Nous nous assurons que nous avons les forces suffisantes disponibles pour faire face aux menaces perçues," a-t-il ajouté.

Source: Le portail des sous-marins

6th Oct 2008

Navy Honours QE2 at Clyde Farewell

The QE2 sailed into Greenock yesterday, Sunday 5 October 2008, escorted by the Royal Navy Type 42 frigate HMS Manchester - the navy's final tribute to an old friend from the Falkands War.

For the QE2, it was the last ever visit to the Clyde, where she was built 41 years ago. The Sunday morning sailing linked cities across the country - the QE2 was built in Glasgow, HMS Manchester is Portsmouth-based but is, of course, affiliated to Manchester, and the liner's home port is Southampton.

Warrant Officer Bill Parry was there to pay a sentimental visit to the Cunard liner, about to retire from service; he was one of many Falklands veterans repatriated by the ship when his own, HMS Antelope, was sunk in the conflict 26 years ago.

The QE2 is possibly the most famous luxury liner in the world and was STUFT, a Ship Taken Up From Trade, to help in the Falklands War, taking troops to and from the South Atlantic. She did much of her running bravely unescorted.

HMS Manchester is one of four of the third batch of Type 42 destroyers built on the back of lessons learned from the Falklands, herself a svelte and extremely capable warship which still provides the backbone of the navy's current fleet air defence. Several of her sister Type 42s served in the Falklands conflict.

Michael Gallagher, the Cunard spokesman on board the QE2, said of the world-famous cruise liner:
"She is a great ship - she served her country in her time of need and she has served Cunard with great distinction - of course her last visit to the Clyde will bring a lump to the throat. I am sure that all on board are delighted at having a Royal Navy escort."

HMS Manchester has now joined 28 other warships for the biggest military exercise to take place in Europe this year - two weeks in which thousands of sailors, airmen and soldiers will train across the length and breadth of Britain. The UK and eight NATO and allied countries will take part in Exercise Joint Warrior - 29 ships, four submarines - and one hundred fast jet sorties a day for the next two weeks.

Scotland, the Borders and Wales will see most of the action. Land owners, fishermen, tourist bosses, farmers and environmentalists have all been consulted to ensure that the exercise goes as smoothly as possible.

As for HMS Manchester, the circle is completed in January when she heads for the South Atlantic to carry out maritime patrols around the Falklands.


The QE2 sailed into Greenock escorted by the Royal Navy Type 42 Destroyer HMS Manchester (5 Oct 08 ). [Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy

HMS LIVERPOOL (D 92) in Gibraltar (24/10/2008) :


crédit photo : fotosdebarcos.com

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31st Oct 2008

HMS Liverpool Returns to UK after Seven Month South Atlantic Winter Deployment

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Liverpool completed a successful seven month deployment today after a long journey home to Portsmouth from the South Atlantic. Altogether she has spent over nine months away from her base port since setting sail for operational sea training earlier this year and the southern oceans on 2 April.

Returning to the first frosts of the UK winter, the ship’s company of HMS Liverpool have already endured force 11 storms in the austral winter of the South Atlantic, navigating safely through many fields of icebergs. It wasn’t all snow and ice because the ship also visited 11 countries en route, including Lisbon in Portugal, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, South Georgia, Montevideo in Uruguay and Santos in Brazil. Rarer port visits have included Cape Town in South Africa, Lobito in Angola, Sekondi in Ghana and Dakar in Senegal. The ship’s helicopter also made flying visits ashore to Tristan da Cunha and Sierra Leone. Her last port of call in Gibraltar earlier this week gave family members the exciting opportunity to sail back across the Bay of Biscay on the last leg home.

During the deployment, HMS Liverpool conducted routine maritime security as Falkland Islands Guard Ship, protecting, supporting and providing visible reassurance to the residents of the islands while underlining the UK’s ongoing commitment to the security in the region. HMS Liverpool also took part in the African Aerospace and Defence Exhibition in Cape Town, South Africa, where she provided the platform for UK Trade and Industry to promote British products at the exhibition. The ship was berthed in the centre of the Victoria and Alfred Dock, Cape Town’s answer to Gunwharf Quays. The warship was also the centrepiece for the Defence Industry Day in Angola, where she was very warmly received and drew admiring glances from all who attended.

In all, the ship has travelled nearly 30,000 nautical miles since the beginning of April and her generators have created enough electricity to keep Southsea in lights for the entire time.

Commander Craig Wood, her Commanding Officer, said,

“HMS Liverpool and her Ship’s Company have been away from home for a great deal of time this year. Whilst we have grown together and faced challenges together, it’s wonderful to be back in Portsmouth. We have achieved a great deal in 2008, from an arduous training package back in January, to a demanding deployment to the South Atlantic, but we have come through as a team. I am immensely proud of my ship and her people, as I am certain that their families are too. People who join the Royal Navy do so for the promise of going to sea and experiencing a varied, unique career. In 2008 HMS Liverpool has certainly delivered on that promise and, while the last seven months have been extremely rewarding, often challenging and thoroughly enjoyable for everybody on board, there is no substitute for coming home.”


HMS Liverpool Entering Portsmouth Harbour. [Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy

12th Nov 2008

HMS Edinburgh Calls In To Her Hometown for a Welcome Weekend Visit

The Port of Leith will play host to Royal Navy warship HMS Edinburgh this weekend (13-17 November).

The 4,800 tonne Type 42 destroyer has been affiliated to Edinburgh since she was launched from Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead in 1983.

The ship will use her four-day stay to strengthen her links with the city and a number of her local affiliations, such as the Edinburgh branch of the Royal Naval Association.

She will also host a number of visitors, including the most senior naval officer in Scotland, Rear Admiral Martin Alabaster, and pupils from local schools, as well as opening her gangway to members of the public from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday. This will give visitors the opportunity to learn more about life on the ocean waves and what it is like to live and work onboard a warship.

On Sunday, the ship’s commanding officer, Commander Gavin Young, will join Commodore Charles Stevenson, Naval Regional Commander for Scotland, at the annual Scottish Service for Seafarers at Trinity House in Leith.

Commander Young said: “Edinburgh has such a vibrant maritime past, present and future and it is a great honour and privilege to be affiliated to such a fantastic city. We are looking forward to hosting a great many visitors over the weekend and I would encourage as many people as possible to come down to the ship and meet her crew on Sunday.”

The ship’s most recent port visit was to the west coast, and Glasgow, where she participated in this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations. It was from Glasgow on Monday that three members of the ship’s company set off for the capital on foot, raising money for Help for Heroes - a charity set up to provide better care for wounded servicemen and women returning from front line operations all over the world.

Scottish officer Lieutenant Colin Marshall, who recently returned from operations in Iraq, said: “Men and women are putting their lives on the line on a daily basis. The charity Help for Heroes has been set up to ensure that if they get injured, they are provided with the best available care.”

HMS Edinburgh recently returned from a challenging six month deployment to the Far East and the Gulf. Originally deploying with HMS Illustrious and the Orion 08 taskforce which left the UK in February 2008, HMS Edinburgh visited a number of ports, including Karachi and Singapore, and successfully participated in a large international exercise in the South China Sea.

The ship also provided assistance to Burma after the country was devastated by Cyclone Nargis and, whilst on patrol in the Indian Ocean, intercepted and detained a dhow smuggling several tonnes of cannabis.


"HMS Edinburgh, sailing up the River Clyde, passes the Royal Navy's two new Type 45 destroyers, HMS Daring and Dauntless" [Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy