HMS Cardiff (D108)

HMS "Cardiff" (D108) is a British Type 42 destroyer and the third ship of the Royal Navy to be named in honour of the Welsh capital city of Cardiff. Construction was started by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and completed by Swan Hunter in Tyne and Wear. HMS Cardiff was launched on 22 February 1974.

During her career, "Cardiff" served in the Falklands War, where she shot down the last Argentine aircraft of the conflict and accepted the surrender of a 700-strong garrison in the settlement of Port Howard. During the 1991 Gulf War, her Lynx helicopter sank two Iraqi minesweepers. She later participated in the build-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq as part of the Royal Navy's constant Armilla Patrol; "Cardiff" thwarted attempts to smuggle oil out of the country, but was not involved in the actual invasion.

"Cardiff" was decommissioned in July 2005, having earned two battle honours for service in the Falklands and Gulf wars. She is currently moored in Portsmouth Harbour, next to sister ship HMS|Newcastle|D87|6. Former servicemen have petitioned for her preservation as a museum ship and local tourist attraction at Cardiff, but her fate remains undecided.

Construction

The Type 42 destroyers (also known as the "Sheffield"-class) were made in three batches; [cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/navy/type_42_sheffield_class.htm|title=Type 42 Sheffield class|publisher=MiltaryToday|accessdate=2008-04-26] "Cardiff" was built in the first. She cost over £30 million, which was double her original quoted price. [cite book |title=Intelligence, Defence, and Diplomacy: British Policy in the Post-War World |url =http://books.google.com/books?id=oSZHqtcBBKEC&pg=PA119&vq=cardiff&dq=%22HMS+Cardiff%22&lr=&as_brr=3&source=gbs_search_s&sig=1gnWUEj2rqDGNwTdNjMhsmgG-Kk |accessdate=2008-03-10 |last=Aldrich |first=Richard James |year=1994 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=0714641405 |pages=p. 119] Her keel was laid down on 6 November 1972, at Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd in Cumbria. The build was interrupted by a labour shortage at Vickers. To solve this problem, she was towed to Swan Hunter in Tyne and Wear and completed there.cite book |last=Daniel|first=R.J|year=2003|title=The End of an Era |url =http://books.google.com/books?id=iDeBCVj_PJQC&pg=PA216&dq=%22hms+cardiff%22&sig=nE95gGQJ1w5ZY8A3R9VX3Gv7O7k |publisher=Periscope Publishing Ltd |pages=p. 216|isbn=1-904381-18-9 |accessdate=2008-03-10]

Type 42s were designed as anti-aircraft vessels primarily equipped with the Sea Dart, a surface-to-air missile system capable of hitting targets up to convert|30|nmi|km away. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.2216|title=Sea Dart|publisher=Royal Navy|accessdate=2008-05-05] "Cardiff"’s secondary weapon system was a 4.5 inch Mark 8 naval gun, capable of firing convert|21|kg|lb|adj=on shells to a range of convert|22000|m|ft. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.2221|title=114 mm (4.5 inch) Gun|publisher=Royal Navy|accessdate=2008-02-10] After the Falklands War, in which two Type 42s were sunk by enemy aircraft, the entire class was equipped with the Phalanx close-in weapon system,cite web|url=http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/rn/destroyers/type42/|title=Type 42 destroyer|publisher=Haze gray and underway website|accessdate=2008-02-10] a Gatling cannon that fires 3,000 rounds per minute and is designed to shoot down anti-ship missiles. [cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/weaps/mk-15.htm|title=MK 15 Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS)|last=Pike|first=John|date=2003-01-09|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|accessdate=2008-02-10]

Operational history

Early career

"Cardiff" was launched on 22 February 1974 by Lady Caroline Gilmore.cite web|url=http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1084277289672|title=Visiting British Naval Ships British High Commission, Accra|publisher=Foreign and Commonwealth Office|accessdate=2008-02-10] Following fitting-out and sea trials, "Cardiff" commissioned on 24 September 1979 under command of Captain Barry Wilson.cite web|url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/falklands/ships/cardiff.asp#|title=Navy News - The Falklands Conflict - Fact Card - HMS Cardiff|publisher="Navy News"|accessdate=2008-02-10] During the next 12 months of active service she steamed over convert|13000|mi|km and undertook various duties. She returned to her place of construction, Tyne and Wear, so that the Swan Hunter crew who fitted her out could exhibit the warship to their families. In the spirit of establishing a firm association, "Cardiff" visited her namesake city and welcomed more than 7,000 people on-board. Her crew raised over £1,000 for local charities by participating in sponsored bicycle rides and dinghy rows from Portsmouth and Newcastle upon Tyne. BBC Radio Wales based an entire programme on her and she appeared on the BBC and ITV national television channels. In November 1979, "Cardiff" coordinated the search for survivors of the MV|Pool Fisher, which sank off the Isle of Wight with the loss of most of her crew.

In 1980, she attended the annual Navy Days event at Portsmouth and Portland Harbour, receiving a total of 17,300 visitors. In October of the same year, she ventured abroad for the first time on a visit to Ghent, Belgium. She followed this with a fortnight of Sea Dart exercises on a range off Aberporth, in South Wales. Whilst in the region, the destroyer attended celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Cardiff's city status.

Falklands War (1982)

On 2 April 1982, the disputed British overseas territory of the Falkland Islands was invaded by neighbouring Argentina. The United Kingdom, nearly convert|8000|mi|km away, assembled and dispatched a naval task force, comprising aircraft carriers, submarines and approximately 7,000 troops, to recapture the islands. The conflict ended in June with the surrender of the Argentine forces.

Just over a month before the start of the war, "Cardiff", under the command of Captain Michael Harris, [LondonGazette|issue=49194|supp=yes|startpage=16121|date=13 December 1982|accessdate=2008-05-01] had begun a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf with the Armilla Patrol. "Cardiff" had relieved her sister ship and class lead HMS|Sheffield|D80|6 of this posting,cite web|url=http://hmscardiff.co.uk/timeline.aspx|title=Deployment Diary|publisher=HMS "Cardiff"—The 1982 Ship's Company|accessdate=2008-02-11] but was herself redeployed to the Falklands effort on 23 April. She sailed alone to Gibraltar and rendezvoused on 14 May with the Bristol Group of British warships already heading south to the islands. [citeweb|url=http://www.naval-history.net/F37weekseven.htm|title=Task Force Departures from Monday 10 May|publisher=Naval History Net|accessdate=2008-03-05]

During the journey, "Cardiff"’s crew performed various training exercises, including defence against air attack (involving simulation runs by friendly Harrier and Jaguar aircraft), nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and Exocet anti-ship missiles.cite web|url=http://hmscardiff.co.uk/rop.aspx|title=Report of Proceedings|publisher=HMS "Cardiff"—The 1982 Ship's Company|accessdate=2008-02-12] All British Type 42's involved in the war were instructed to paint two vertical black stripes down either side the middle of their ships. This would allow the Royal Navy submarines to distinguish them from the two Argentine Type 42's. [cite book |title= Four Weeks in May|last= Hart-Dyke|first=David |year=2008 |publisher=Atlantic Books |location=Great Britain |isbn=9781843545910 |pages=p. 31 |chapter=Chapter 2 ] On 22 May, an Argentine reconnaissance Boeing 707, no. TC-92 of the Argentine Air Force's _es. "Grupo 1, De Transporte Aereo Escuadron II" (Spanish for "2nd Air Transport Squadron, Group 1"), was fired on by "Cardiff".Freedman (2005), p. 473.] The aircraft was detected while shadowing the Bristol Group, and "Cardiff" was ordered to drop back and engage. [cite web |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/falklands/stories/8202052201.asp |title=Navy News - The Falklands Conflict - 22 May 1982 |month=July |year=1982 |publisher="Navy News" |accessdate=2008-02-12] The ship fired two Sea Darts at the aircraft at 11:40 (local time) from maximum range; the first fell short and second missed due to evasive manoeuvres taken by the aircraft's crew.cite web |url=http://www.aeroespacio.com.ar/site/anteriores/538-550/546/site/_01malvinas.htm |title=Malvinas 20 Anos–Testimonios |accessdate=2008-04-23 |language=Spanish ] After the attack, TC-92 dropped below radar level and returned to El Palomar. On 25 May, "Cardiff" was tasked with the recovery of four Special Air Service (SAS) troopers, who had parachuted from a C-130 Hercules passing over the destroyer.

The Bristol Group met up with the main task force on 26 May.Freedman (2005), p. 55] "Cardiff"’s arrival allowed the damaged HMS|Glasgow|D88|6 to return to the United Kingdom for repairs. [cite web |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/falklands/stories/8202051001.asp |title=Navy News - The Falklands Conflict - 12 May 1982 - Glasgow's Day of Victory |publisher="Navy News"|accessdate=2008-04-05|year=1982|month=July] [cite web|url=http://www.naval-history.net/F46weeknineTF.htm|title=Black Buck, Victor, Vulcan, Engadine, Fort Grange in British Task Force Movements|publisher=Naval History Net|accessdate=2008-05-05] "Cardiff"’s primary role was to form part of the anti-aircraft warfare picket, protecting British ships from air attack and attempting to ambush Argentine aircraft that were re-supplying Port Stanley Airport.cite web |url=http://www.rna-10-area.co.uk/falklands.html |title=Falklands 25 - On this Day–14 June |publisher=Royal Naval Association Number 10 Area web site|accessdate=2008-02-13] [cite web |url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/falklands/stories/8202060201.asp |title=Navy News - The Falklands Conflict - 2 June 1982 |publisher="Navy News"|accessdate=2008-04-02] She was also required to fire at enemy positions on the islands with her 4.5-inch gun. In one engagement she fired 277 high-explosive rounds, although later problems with the gun prevented continual use.cite book |last=Fieldgate|first=Barrie |title=The Captain's Steward: Falklands, 1982 |url =http://books.google.com/books?id=2YaHXQHxtuoC&pg=PA222&vq=cardiff&dq=%22HMS+Cardiff%22&lr=&as_brr=3&source=gbs_search_s&cad=5&sig=zY4maUS_8f6hs31s-xbV6dp4b34 |publisher=Melrose Press |year=2007 |pages=p. 222 |isbn=1905226462|accessdate=2008-03-11]

Shortly after arrival, she was involved in the final Exocet raid against HMS|Invincible|R05|6. In the early hours of 6 June, "Cardiff" shot down a friendly Army Air Corps Gazelle helicopter (no. XX377 of 656 Squadron), in the belief it was a low flying enemy C-130 Hercules.cite book |last=Masakowski|first=Yvonne|coauthors= Cook, Malcolm; Noyes, Jan |year=2007|title=Decision-making in Complex Environments |url =http://books.google.com/books?id=L3tjkgpS5jAC&pg=PA197&dq=%22HMS+Cardiff%22&lr=&as_brr=3&sig=DOfT1Dg0uFvResfIWhmELC11pZI#PPA197,M1 |publisher=Ashgate Publishing |pages=p. 197 |isbn=0-7546-4950-4 |accessdate=2008-03-11] [cite journal |url=http://usacac.army.mil/cac/milreview/download/English/NovDec04/bolia.pdf|format=PDF|title=The Falklands War: The Bluff Cove Disaster|last=Bolia|first=Robert S|journal=Military Review|issue=November–December 2004|pages=pp. 66–72|accessdate=2008-04-26] All four on-board were killed, [cite web |url=http://www.naval-history.net/F51opsweek10.htm |title=Stanley, Mount Kent, Mount Longdon, Top Malo House in Falkland Area Operations - Falklands War 1982 |publisher=Naval History Net |accessdate=2008-03-05] the factors contributing to the accident were a poor level of communication between the army and navy, and the helicopter's "Identification Friend or Foe" transmitter had been turned off due to it interfering with other equipment. [cite journal |url=http://usacac.army.mil/cac/milreview/download/English/NovDec04/bolia.pdf |format=PDF |title=The Falklands War: The Bluff Cove Disaster |last=Bolia |first=Robert S |journal=Military Review |issue=November–December 2004 |pages=pp. 66–72 |accessdate=2008-04-26] However a board of inquiry recommended that neither negligence nor blame should be attributed to any individual and that no action should be taken against any individual. [cite web|url=http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/written_answers/1987/feb/02/lcpl-s-j-cockton|title=L/Cpl. S. J. Cockton (Hansard)|publisher=hansard.millbanksystems.com|accessdate=2008-06-01] The number "205" was later painted at the crash site (coord|-51.783600| -58.467786) as a memorial, the significance being that two of the helicopter's passengers were from 205 Signal Squadron. Approximately an hour after the shootdown, "Cardiff" spotted four landing craft carrying troops from the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards. Having been told there were no other British forces in the area, "Cardiff's" crew assumed they were Argentine, and fired illuminating star shells over them in preparation to attack. When the Guards saw the star shells and realised "Cardiff"’s intentions, the officer in charge of the landing craft, Major Ewen Southby-Tailyour, moved them to shallow water in an attempt to outrun her. "Cardiff", still closing on the craft, signalled to them a single word "friend" via Aldis lamp, Southby-Tailyour responded with "to which side".Freedman (2005), p. 600.] At this point Cardiff "left them alone", neither attacking or assisting them, nevertheless another "blue on blue" incident was avoided.cite book |last=Anderson|first=Duncan |year=2002|title=The Falklands War 1982 (Essential Histories) |url =http://books.google.com/books?id=gNb9YyNCXksC&pg=PA58&dq=%22hms+cardiff%22+lamp&sig=4qDcxXrwedFyY5acLN4wRPBMZU0 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |location=UK |pages=p. 58 |isbn=1-84176-422-1 |accessdate=2008-03-11]

On the morning of 13 June, two Argentine Dagger aircraft attacked "Cardiff"’s Lynx helicopter, no. 335 of 815 NAS, while it was searching in the Falkland Sound area. Poor weather had forced the Argentine craft to abandon their original mission of bombing Mount Longdon, and the third Dagger of their formation had suffered a mechanical failure and returned to base.cite web |url=http://www.fuerzaaerea.mil.ar/conflicto/dias/jun13.html |title=13 de Junio |publisher=Argentine Air Force|language=Spanish |accessdate=2008-04-13] The Lynx began evasive manoeuvres and dodged the attacks; the pilot, Lieutenant Christopher Clayton, was mentioned in despatches for his efforts. [LondonGazette |issue=49134 |date=1982-10-08 |startpage=12 |supp=yes |accessdate=2008-04-18] Later that day, "Cardiff" shot down what would prove to be the last Argentine aircraft lost during the war, [cite book |title=Hostile Skies |last=Morgan |first=David |year=2007 |publisher=Phoenix |location=London |isbn=978-0-7538-2199-2 |pages=p. 285] Canberra bomber B-108 of _es. "Grupo de Bombardeo 2" ("Bombing Group 2") en route to bomb Port Harriet House. The pilot, Captain Pastrán, survived but the navigator, Captain Casado, was killed. [cite web|url=http://www.fuerzaaerea.mil.ar/conflicto/camberra.html|title=BAC MK-62 Canberra|publisher=Argentine Air Force|accessdate=2008-04-26|language=Spanish] Although the remains of Captain Casado were discovered in 1986, they were only identified by DNA testing in September 2008. [Cite web |title = Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News Update |date=2008-09-12 |accessdate=12-09-2008 |url=http://www.mercopress.com/vernoticia.do?id=14532&formato=html] Argentina surrendered on 14 June, and "Cardiff" was required to accept the surrender of a 700-strong Argentine garrison in the settlement of Port Howard on West Falkland a day later. Members of "Cardiff"’s crew were used to man a captured Argentine patrol boat, renamed HMS|Tiger Bay, in Stanley. "Cardiff" spent the rest of June acting as the Landing Area Air Warfare Controller (LAAWC) around San Carlos.

Canberra bomber B-108 of "Grupo de Bombardeo 2". This Argentine aircraft, the last to be lost during the Falklands War, was shot down by "Cardiff".Over the course of the war, "Cardiff" fired nine Sea Dart missiles and one Mk 46 torpedo. She returned to the United Kingdom on 28 July 1982, having left the Falklands three weeks earlier along with HMS|Exeter|D89|6 and HMS|Yarmouth|F101|6. Captain Michael Harris handed over command on 24 August 1982, after the annual maintenance period. Following the war, all Type 42 destroyers were fitted with Oerlikon 30 mm twin cannons port and starboard, for protection against airborne threats. [cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/type42.htm|title=Type 42|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|accessdate=2008-04-05] These were later replaced by the Phalanx close-in weapon system.

Gulf War (1990–91)

When Saddam Hussein's Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2 August 1990, British Secretary of State for Defence Tom King soon announced that the UK military contribution to the region was to be increased.Hine 1991, pp. 39, 43.] A coalition of nations was formed, and a combined naval force entered the Persian Gulf and sailed north, neutralising the Iraqi Navy as it went, and then began conducting naval gunfire support and mine counter-measure missions in preparation for the main amphibious landing force.

In September 1990, HM Ships "Cardiff", HMS|Brazen|F91|2 and HMS|London|F95|2 were formed into Group X-ray and sailed to the Gulf to relieve Armilla Group Whiskey, which consisted of HM Ships HMS|Battleaxe|F89|2, HMS|Jupiter|F60|2 and HMS|York|D98|2. "Cardiff" and HMS|Gloucester|D96|2 were to form part of the air defence barrier protecting three United States aircraft carriers: USS|Midway|CV-41|2, USS|Ranger|CV-61|2 and USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|2. "Cardiff" had other responsibilities, including surface surveillance and boarding operations, to maintain the security around the task force.cite book |last=Gimblett|first=Richard H.|coauthors=Morin, Jean |year=1997|title=Operation Friction, 1990-1991: Canadian Forces in the Persian Gulf |url =http://books.google.com/books?id=sc70B_C3_UsC&pg=PA140&dq=HMS+Cardiff&sig=Z6y4MIEtJu_gDZu_t_8e7vb6Hk8#PPA140,M1 |publisher=Dundurn Press |location=Toronto |pages=p. 140 |isbn=1-55002-256-3 |accessdate=2008-03-12]

Royal Navy Lynxes worked in combination with US Seahawks during the Gulf War. The American helicopters lacked an effective anti-ship missile, but had superior surveillance capability compared to the British Lynx. They would locate hostile boats for the British helicopters, which would then attack the target with its Sea Skua missiles.cite book |last=Pokrant|first=Marvin |title=Desert Storm at sea: what the Navy really did |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=erVzmflT2MIC&pg=PA58&dq=%22HMS+Cardiff%22&as_brr=3&sig=uEBsOPwafDplpBkqdPMK7YmJCIs |publisher=Greenwood Press |location=Westport, Conn |year=1999 |pages=p. 58 |isbn=0-313-31024-6 |accessdate=2008-03-12] In total, Lynx helicopters flew nearly 600 sorties during the Gulf War, while their crews maintained flying rates three times their norm.cite book |last=Finlan|first=Alistair |title=Royal Navy in the Falklands and the Gulf War: Culture and Strategy |url = http://books.google.com/books?id=TmP27lCid8AC&pg=PA151&vq=cardiff&dq=%22HMS+Cardiff%22&lr=&as_brr=3&source=gbs_search_s&cad=5&sig=x3fcor8AbXlX_VRKUWtOu27xUWc|publisher=Frank Cass |location=London |year=2004 |pages=p. 151 |isbn=0-7146-5479-5|accessdate=2008-03-12]

"Cardiff"’s Lynx helicopter, no. 335 of 815 NAS,cite book |last=Chant|first=Christopher |title=Air War in the Gulf 1991 (Osprey Combat Aircraft 27)|year=2001| |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=7L-PvBlfFW0C&pg=PT56&dq=%22HMS+Cardiff%22&lr=&as_brr=3&sig=X05k0RvHyyYYDEFX-jHUJzyWgxw |publisher=Osprey Aviation |pages=p. 90 |isbn=1-84176-295-4 |accessdate=2008-03-12] saw more of the combat in the Gulf War than "Cardiff" actually did. On 24 January 1991, no. 335 spotted three Iraqi minesweepers off Qaruh Island, attacked, and sank two. [cite book |title=The Mammoth Book of Eyewitness Naval Battles |url =http://books.google.com/books?id=lYrnIvQHTQsC&pg=PA637&dq=%22HMS+Cardiff%22+lynx+minesweeper&as_brr=0&ei=K7UTSOSHBImUygTVs92FCA&sig=UWlF9Su02jrGELvf0KA0Kt1OSG0|accessdate=2008-04-27 |last=Lawrence |first=Richard Russell |year=2003 |publisher=Carroll & Graf |isbn=Carroll & Graf |pages=p. 637] Later that day, the island was captured by coalition forces, becoming the first Kuwaiti territory to be liberated. Five days later, with Lynxes from "Gloucester" and "Brazen", no. 335 attacked invading Iraqi vessels en-route to the Battle of Khafji. "Cardiff" and her group were relieved in late January by Group Yankee, comprising HM Ships HMS|Brave|F94|2, HMS|Brilliant|F90|2, HMS|Exeter|D89|2 and HMS|Manchester|D95|2.

Post Gulf War

After the Gulf War, "Cardiff"’s assignments included a deployment with the Standing Naval Force Mediterranean, a post Cold War NATO immediate reaction force in the Mediterranean, and counter-narcotics patrols in the West Indies, during which she also assisted with relief tasks on the island of Eleuthera in the wake of Hurricane Andrew. "Cardiff" later returned to the Gulf for seven months.cite web|url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/ships/cardiff.asp|title=Navy News - Ships of the Royal Navy - HMS Cardiff|publisher="Navy News"|accessdate=2008-03-04]

On 14 October 1994, in response to renewed Iraqi deployment of troops near the Kuwaiti border, the US-led Operation Vigilant Warrior began.Pike 2005.] The operation was designed to deter Saddam's "" by sending large amounts of allied military forces to Kuwait; HM Ships HMS|Cornwall|F99|2 and "Cardiff" were the UK contribution.cite book |last=Larson|first=Eric V. |title=Interoperability of U. S. and NATO Allied Air Forces: Supporting Data and Case Studies |url =http://books.google.com/books?id=vlvDowMvJ-kC&pg=PA61&dq=%22HMS+Cardiff%22&as_brr=3&sig=LsYC3lNPzEsBwxxBsZ8oXiIq13o |publisher=Rand |location=Santa Monica, Calif |year=2003 |pages=p. 61 |isbn=0-8330-3287-9|accessdate=2008-03-11] The operation ended on 21 December 1994, when Saddam pulled back his forces.

[
Armilla Patrol, in late 2002.] Upon her return to the UK from Operation Vigilant Warrior, "Cardiff" participated in the 1995 NATO exercise "Strong Resolve", a training exercise conducted every four years in dual crisis management. The ship next underwent Operational Sea Training (OST) at Portland, in preparation for assuming the duty of Fleet Ready Escort, which required a ship to be available to deploy anywhere in the world at short notice. After completing OST, she attended the 50th VE Day anniversary in Copenhagen and Oslo and provided navigational sea training for frigate and destroyer navigating officer candidates. A visit to her namesake city of Cardiff for VJ Day celebrations followed, after which she sailed to Plymouth for a trials and weapon training programme. She then took part in Operation Bright Star, a multi-national exercise conducted every two years in Egypt. In November, "Cardiff" became the first Royal Navy ship to enter the Lebanese capital of Beirut in 27 years, spurring the creation of the Beirut Phoenicians Rugby Club, [cite web|url=http://www.rugbylebanon.com/TeamHistory.htm|title=Team History|publisher=www.rugbylebanon.com|accessdate=2008-05-25] followed by visits to Tunisia and Gibraltar.

In 2000, as part of the Royal Navy's Atlantic Patrol Task North, "Cardiff" spent six months in the Caribbean with RFA "Black Rover". [cite web |url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.3440/changeNav/3533 |title="Cardiff"—Back from sunnier climes |publisher=Royal Navy|accessdate=2008-03-04] They provided relief aid to the island of Caye Caulker, near Belize, in the wake of Hurricane Keith. In addition to clearing routes, distributing supplies, and making buildings and electrical cables safe, "Cardiff"’s surgeon and medical team monitored sanitation. [cite web |url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.3416/changeNav/3533 |title=HMS "Cardiff" and RFA "Black Rover" assist in wake of Hurricane Keith|publisher=Royal Navy|accessdate=2008-03-04] In October, they also took part in the NATO exercise "Unified Spirit", held off the east coast of the United States. "Unified Spirit" is a training exercise conducted every four years in NATO-led "out-of-area" UN peace support operations. [cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/unified-spirit.htm|title=Unified Spirit|publisher=www.globalsecurity.org|accessdate=2008-06-25] In the same year she participated in the US Navy Fleet Battle Exercise after her combat system was integrated into the Digital Fires Network.cite book |title=The Role of Experimentation in Building Future Naval Forces |url =http://books.google.com/books?id=9sgMI18jDWMC&pg=PA67&dq=%22HMS+Cardiff%22&as_brr=3&sig=OUGbI3tEIOqIHoqOhZtAXrj8Szg |publisher=National Academies Press |location=Washington, D.C |year=2004 |pages=p. 67 |isbn=0-309-08873-9 |accessdate=2008-03-11]

"Cardiff" conducted her last Armilla Patrol in early 2003. During her time in the Persian Gulf, "Cardiff" prevented more than £2 million of illegal cargo from being smuggled out of Iraq, inspected 178 vessels, and seized more than 25,000 tonnes of oil. The destroyer was relieved by HMS|Richmond|F239|6 before the beginning of the Iraq War and returned to Portsmouth on 4 April 2003. [cite web |url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.3706/changeNav/3533 |title=HMS Cardiff returns from Gulf patrols |publisher=Royal Navy|accessdate=2008-03-04] In late 2003, the ship was involved in the annual Sea Days demonstration exercise, [cite news |first=Richard |last=Scott |title=Sea Days 2003 |work=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group |date=2003-11-01 ] and in October was used for tests of QinetiQ's Maritime Tactical Network. [cite news |first=Giles |last=Ebbutt |title=QinetiQ tests Maritime Tactical Network |work=Jane's Navy International |publisher=Jane's Information Group |date=2004-09-01 ]

In 2005, she participated in the Trafalgar 200 International Fleet Review, just two weeks before she was decommissioned. [cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20051115110110/http:/www.trafalgar200.com/tallship_royal_ships.html|title=Trafalgar 200 - Media Information|publisher=web.archive.org|accessdate=2008-05-13|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20051115110110/http:/www.trafalgar200.com/tallship_royal_ships.html
archivedate=2005-11-15] In this post Gulf War period, the Royal Navy's first female chaplain also served onboard. [cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/PeopleInDefence/RoyalNavysFirstFemaleChaplainRetires.htm |title=Royal Navy's first female Chaplain retires |publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdate=2008-03-11]

Decommissioning and fate

"Cardiff" was originally to be replaced in 2009 by HMS|Daring|D32|6, the first of the Royal Navy's next generation Type 45 destroyers. [cite web|url=http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmhansrd/vo000317/text/00317w03.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 17 Mar 2000 (pt 3)|publisher="Hansard"|accessdate=2008-03-09] However, it was announced in July 2004 that she would be one of a number of ships withdrawn from service early, in accordance with the "Delivering Security in a Changing World" whitepaper on the British military. [cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/147C7A19-8554-4DAE-9F88-6FBAD2D973F9/0/cm6269_future_capabilities.pdf |format=PDF|title=Delivering Security in a Changing World: Future Capabilities (Cm 6269) |publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdate=2008-03-09]

"Cardiff" was decommissioned on 14 July 2005, after making a final visit to her namesake city, where members of the public were allowed on board. She now resides in Portsmouth Harbour (coord|50.818486| -1.130644) alongside sister ship HMS|Newcastle|D87|6, awaiting a decision as to her fate. Following a decommissioning ceremony at Cardiff city hall, her bell was removed and is now mounted in the north aisle of St John's Parish Church in Cardiff. [ cite journal | authorlink = [http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=2874%2C4812&parent_directory_id=2865] | year = 2005| month = December| title = Bell is reminder of city’s own ship| journal = Capital Times| issue = Issue 70| pages = p. 9| url = http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ObjView.asp?Object_ID=4079&Language=.pdf | format = PDF| accessdate = 2008-05-06 | quote = A part of HMS Cardiff, the warship which was decommissioned earlier this year, has a permanent place in its home city.] [cite web|url=http://edgeofthecentre.blogspot.com/2007/08/hms-cardiffs-bell-welcomed-home.html|title=Edge of the Centre: HMS Cardiff's bell welcomed home|publisher=edgeofthecentre.blogspot.com|accessdate=2008-03-09] Calls for the conversion of the ship into a Cardiff tourist attraction have been made by a Welsh Assembly Member and former naval servicemen. [cite web |url=http://www.conservatives.com/tile.do?def=news.story.page&obj_id=123622&speeches=1 |title=Save HMS Cardiff for the city - News Story - Conservative Party |publisher=Conservative Party|accessdate=2008-03-23] [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4633095.stm |title=Call for Cardiff home for warship |date=2005-06-29|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2008-03-09] HMS|Dragon|D35|6, a Type 45 destroyer, has been announced as the next Royal Navy ship to be affiliated with the city of Cardiff. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6686029.stm |title=Navy destroyer linked to Cardiff |publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2008-03-09|date=2007-05-24]

ee also

* British naval forces in the Falklands War

Notes

References

*
* Hine, Sir Patrick. Official despatch, as published in the LondonGazette|issue=52589|linkeddate=1991-06-29|startpage=39|endpage=43|supp=yes|accessdate=2008-05-01
*

External links

* [http://hmscardiff.co.uk/default.aspx HMS "Cardiff": The 1982 Ship's Company] Website run by former crew
* [http://www.seayourhistory.org.uk/ Photos of "Cardiff" at seayourhistory.org.uk]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/photo_gallery/3051764.stm Photos of "Cardiff" at BBC News]