HMS Rothesay (F107)

HMS "Rothesay" (F107) was a "Rothesay" or Type 12I class anti-submarine frigate of the British Royal Navy.

History

In the spring/summer of 1961 HMS "Rothesay" was in Halifax, Nova Scotia and was intending to make courtesy at ports on the eastern seaboard of the USA but was instead diverted to Bermuda where she was to stay ready to protect British interests in Cuba.

Between 1966 and 1968 "Rothesay" was refitted in Rosyth, Among the improvements the 40 mm gun was replaced with Seacat missile system, radar and communication equipment was updated, accommodation improved and perhaps most significantly a helicopter flight deck and hangar were added. Although this required the removal of one of the two triple barrelled anti-submarine mortars, it allowed the "Rothesay" Class to carry the Westland Wasp helicopter which was a huge asset for anti-submarine operations. This modernisation was a vast improvement over the "Whitby" Class and brought the "Rothesay" class up to the standard of the succeeding "Leander" Class.

On 6 August 1969, together with HMS "Minerva", they landed 315 men of The Parachute Regiment on Anguilla to restore order after the islanders objected to being placed under the government of Saint Kitts.

In 1973 HMS "Rothesay" undertook Cod War Fishery Protection Patrols.

In 1977 She attended the Silver Jubilee Fleet Review with sisterships HMS "Plymouth" and HMS "Berwick".

During the Falklands war in 1982, "Rothesay" was stationed in the Caribbean.

There were plans to withdraw the ship from service in 1983 but these were abandoned and instead in 1985 she underwent a refit in preparation for her new role in the Dartmouth Training Squadron. She served in this role until she was paid off on 13 March 1988. During her many years of service she clocked up over 800,000 miles. She was sold to Spain to be broken up there.

Trivia

HMS "Rothesay" appeared in the James Bond film "Thunderball" in 1965 as the ship which leads the attack on the "Disco Volante". During the attack the ship fires its 4.5 inch gun at the "Disco Volante".