Dates: 1959 - 1988
HMS Plymouth is a Rothesay class frigate, which served in the United Kingdom Royal Navy from 1959 to 1988. She was named after the English city of Plymouth. Since decommissioning as a warship, HMS Plymouth has been preserved, and opened to the public at various United Kingdom ports.
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 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 captured 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 Water. Plymouth supported troops on the ground by bombarding Argentine troop positions with her two 4.5-inch (114 mm) guns. On June 8, a lone Plymouth was attacked by Mirage fighters of the Argentine Air Force, and Able seaman missileman Phil Orr 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 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 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 and, by default, is currently owned by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company (MDHC) following the demise of the Trust. 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. It received 2,204 online signatures by the deadline date of 5 May 2007.
Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Plymouth
" Dear shipmates I am a full member of Forces Reunited, SAMA 82, HMS Plymouth association. I served on HMS Plymouth, and was 1 of 5 injured, (fractured skull + ) in an aircraft attack during The Falklands War. I am fully fit, (46), and have been for many years, unfortunately my mother is not and ..."
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" For those who haven’t visited our message board, here is the latest press release from Mike Critchley dated yesterday, 2nd Feb FALKLANDS WAR MEMORIAL PLANS SUNK - BY ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS (ABP) The ex Royal Naval frigate HMS PLYMOUTH was saved as a national memorial to all the UK ..."
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" even ships that have been preserved aren’t safe ask any one on the wirral.HMS Plymouth the ship that the argentines signed the surrender on was in birkenhead along with a German u boat,the Bronnington and a diesel sub etc but developers moved in to convert the wharehouses into luxery flats ..."
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" At present they are trying to get a berth in Plymouth for HMS Plymouth, as usual there are lots of pros & cons being bandied about.It is a pity that our history today is belittled and our heritage squandered.Chatham & Portsmouth make a much better job than Plymouth,it may be that Devonport & Plymouth water fronts are so much more disconnected from the city centre, which causes dificulties. "
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" Quoting: Fred Norman Hi Keith, The Alaunia, I’ve put a photo of her on the attachment, and I know I’ve got a photo of the ship with the other one tied up alongside somewhere [HMS Alaunia.jpg] You old farts and the ships that you have played on. Here is something a little more modern for ..."
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