- HMS Plymouth (F126)
HMS "Plymouth" is a "Rothesay" class
frigate , which served in theUnited Kingdom Royal Navy from 1959 to 1988. She was named after the English city ofPlymouth . Since decommissioning as a warship, HMS "Plymouth" has been preserved, and opened to the public at various United Kingdom ports.History
Construction
"Plymouth" was built at Devonport Dockyard, in her namesake city of Plymouth, and was launched by Viscountess Astor on
July 20 ,1959 .Active service
During her lifetime, "Plymouth" served in a variety of locations, including the
Far East andAustralia . She saw action in theCod Wars between theUnited Kingdom andIceland and also theFalklands War in 1982."Plymouth" was one of the first
Royal Navy ships to arrive in theSouth Atlantic following the Argentine invasion of theFalkland Islands andSouth Georgia . "Plymouth" alongside HMS "Brilliant" and HMS "Endurance" took part in the recapturing of South Georgia onApril 28 . Plymouth landedRoyal Marines from herWestland Wasp helicopters and bombarded Argentine troop positions on the island. Later her Wasp helicopter took part in an attack on the ARA "Santa Fe", which was badly damaged and later captured by Royal Marines.After South Georgia was liberated, "Plymouth" rejoined the main task force, taking part in many operations before the landings atSan Carlos Water . "Plymouth" supported troops on the ground by bombarding Argentine troop positions with her two convert|4.5|in|mm|0|sing=on guns. OnJune 8 , a lone "Plymouth" was attacked by "Dagger" fighters of theArgentine Air Force , and Able seaman missileman Phil Orr managed to fire herSea Cat missile system at them, claiming the shooting down of two aircraft. Later it was determined that no "Dagger" was lost in action that day. [ [http://www.naval-history.net/F64argaircraftlost.htm#prof www.naval-history.net] ] "Plymouth" was hit by bombs and cannon shells, causing considerable damage to the ship which was fixed by LMEM Robin Cunningham. She returned toRosyth Dockyard after the war for repair and refit.The following year, "Plymouth" served as the West Indies Guardship which included several days anchored off
Belize .In preservation
After decommissioning in 1988, the
Warship Preservation Trust acquired the ship for preservation. In 1990 the ship was towed toGlasgow and placed on display at a berth on theRiver Clyde . Subsequently she was relocated toBirkenhead for display alongside other ships and submarines. On6 February 2006 , the Warship Preservation Trust closed, citing financial difficulties and, by default, is currently owned by theMersey Docks and Harbour Company (MDHC) following the demise of the Trust. [citeweb|url=http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page11802.aspHMS |title=E-petition: government response|publisher="10 Downing Street"|date=1 June 2007 |accessdate=12 August|accessyear=2007 ] "Plymouth's" future as a museum ship is now uncertain.A petition, on
10 Downing Street 's E-petitions web site sought to encourage the UK government to provide a berth for the ship.cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6467111.stm | title = Hundreds sign up to save warship | publisher = "BBC News " | accessdate = 19 March | accessyear = 2007] It received 2,204 online signatures by the deadline date of5 May 2007 . [citeweb|url=http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/plymouth |title=E-petition|publisher="10 Downing Street"|accessdate=12 August|accessyear=2007]References
General
*Colledge
* [http://www.hmsplymouth.co.uk/history.html The history of HMS Plymouth]
*Souvenir guide to HMS "Plymouth", entitled "HMS Plymouth, Falklands Veteran, Her Story", no publisher or publication date declared, but dating from the period the ship was on display in Glasgow.Notes
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