HMS Argyll (F231)

The third and current HMS "Argyll" (F231) is a Type 23 'Duke' Class frigate. She was laid down in March 1987 by Yarrow Shipbuilders at Glasgow, launched in 1989 by Lady Wendy Levene, and commissioned in May 1991. "Argyll" is currently part of the 6th Frigate Squadron based at Devonport Dockyard.

The Commanding Officer of "Argyll" is Commander Peter Olive RN who succeeded the previous Captain, Gavin Pritchard, in May 2008.

Deployments

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 during the civil war there. During those operations, "Argyll" acted as the West African Guardship and remained off West Africa until September 2000. During her deployment, "Argyll" saved fifty-eight lives from drowning. She was relieved by her sister-ship "Iron Duke" in September. [cite web|url=http://www.paviors.org.uk/affiliations/hmsargyll/summer2000.aspx|title=Summer 2000: Duties In Sierra Leone.|publisher=The Worshipful Company of Paviors |date=2000-11-28] 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 HMS Iron Duke (F234) for completing the construction of the six classrooms. [cite web|url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2001/0102/1001022201.asp|title=Iron Duke completes 33,000-mile voyage.|publisher=Navy news newspaper |date=2001-02-26]

2001 saw a change in command with Commander John Kingwell succeeding Commander Rick Wellesley. [cite web|url=http://www.paviors.org.uk/affiliations/hmsargyll/march2001.aspx|title=March 2001: New Captain in Command.|publisher=The Worshipful Company of Paviors |date=2001-03-31] 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. [cite web|url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2001/0104/0001040202.asp|title=Fire on board HMS Argyll.|publisher=Navy news newspaper |date=2001-04-03]

"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. [cite web|url=http://www.paviors.org.uk/affiliations/hmsargyll/august2005.aspx|title=August 2005: In Home Waters.|publisher=The Worshipful Company of Paviors |date=2005-08-24] The ship made a short visit to Boulogne, then to its home port of Inverary and finally to Liverpool [http://www.irishseashipping.com/photofeatures/services/RoyalNavy/argyll230306/argyll230306.htm] , before undergoing Operational Sea Trials. "Argyll" successfully completed Operational Sea Training and was acted as a contingency platform whilst H.M. Elizabeth II 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.

HMS "Argyll" was in the newspapers for all the wrong reasons on 14 September 2007 when it was claimed that 41-year-old commanding officer Captain Nigel Chandler was replaced when the ship failed twice to pass the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) exercises. These exercises are taken every 18 months to ensure the ship and crew are ready for deployment. [cite web|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article294510.ece|title=Navy sacks Captain Calamity.|publisher=News Group Newspapers Ltd |date=2007-09-14] In October 2007 "Argyll" returned to the Persian Gulf to take over from her sister-ship, HMS "Richmond". [http://www.gogibraltarsite.com/MediterraneanNavalNews.html]

Thursday 3 April 2008 saw more than 500 friends and relatives welcome HMS Argyll as she returned to her home at Devonport after a deployment lasting 6 months in the Northern Persian Gulf. This was the "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" is also planned to be at the 'Meet Your Navy' exhibition at HMNB Portsmouth 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12249|title=Warm Welcome for HMS Argyll’s Return to Devonport.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-03-31] [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12311|title=Hundreds Cheer HMS Argyll Home To the UK.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-04-03]

6 May 2008 saw the crew return to "Argyll", with the crew bidding their commanding officer of 7 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. [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12710|title=HMS Argyll Returns to Work.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-04-03]

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". [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12692|title=HMS Argyll Starts Trans-Atlantic Yacht Race.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-05-09] [cite web|url=http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12730|title=HMS Argyll Launches Trans-Atlantic Yacht Race.|publisher=Royal Navy |date=2008-05-12]

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

Affiliations

* His Grace, The Duke of Argyll
* The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland
* No. 47 Squadron RAF
* Argyll and Bute District Council
* City of Glasgow
* Worshipful Company of Paviors
* Plymouth Argyle F.C.
* Lady Levene, the ship's sponsor
* HMS Vivid RNR
* Royal Naval Club, Argyll
* Royal Naval Association Stirling
* TS Argyll Irvine & District Sea Cadets
* City of London Sea Cadets
* Kelly College, Devon
* Dollar Academy, Clackmannanshire
* High School of Glasgow
* Mrs Scott
* Argyll Ward, Derriford Hospital [ [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.1496 Affiliations : HMS Argyll : Type 23 Frigates : Surface Fleet : Operations and Support : Royal Navy ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.1476 Royal Navy site]

Gallery