HMS Plymouth (F126)

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Career
Ordered:
Laid down:	1958
Launched:	July 20, 1959
Commissioned:
Decommissioned:	1988
Fate:	On public display at Birkenhead
Struck:
Motto:

This is a page about an invidivual ship, for background information please see: Rothesay class frigate

HMS Plymouth was a Rothesay class frigate in the Royal Navy from 1959 to 1988. Plymouth was built at Devonport Dockyard and was launched by Viscountess Astor on July 20, 1959. She was named after the English city of Plymouth.

During her lifetime, Plymouth served in a variety of locations, including the Far East and Australia. She saw action in the Cod Wars between the United Kingdom and Iceland and also the Falklands War in 1982.

Plymouth was one of the first Royal Navy ships to arrive in the South Atlantic following the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Plymouth alongside HMS Brilliant and HMS Endurance took part in the recapturing of South Georgia on April 28. Plymouth landed Royal Marines from her Westland 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 caputured by Royal Marines.

After South Georgia was liberated, Plymouth rejoined the main task force, taking part in many operations before the landings at San Carlos Waters. Plymouth supported troops on the ground by bombarding Argentine troop positions with her two 4.5 inch guns. On June 8, a lone Plymouth was attacked by Mirage fighters of the Argentine Air Force, and managed to shoot down two with her Sea Cat missile system. However, she was hit by bombs and cannon shells, causing considerable damage to the ship. Plymouth returned to Rosyth Naval Dockyards after the war for repair and refit.

After decommissioning in 1988, the Warship Preservation Trust acquired the ship for preservation. In 1990 the ship was towed to Glasgow and placed on display at a berth on the River Clyde. Subsequently she was relocated to Birkenhead for display alongside other ships and submarines. On 6 February 2006, the Warship Preservation Trust closed, citing financial difficulties. HMS Plymouth's future as a museum ship is now uncertain.

See HMS Plymouth for other ships of this name.

[edit] Resources

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.