Dates: 1945 - 1958

LOCH Class Anti-Submarine Frigate ordered from fell Russell of Aberdeen in January 19*6 and to be named LOCH HARPORT. Ibis order was cancelled on 2?th December 1943 and after a the decision to replace this type of escort by a vessel suitable for anti-aircraft defence an order for a BAY Class Frigate was placed with Charles Hill, Bristol in 1944 (See General Information). The ship was laid down on 21st September 1944 as Job No J601 (Yard No 301) and launched as BURGHEAD BAY by Mrs A V Alexander, wife of the 1st Lord of the Admiralty on 3rd March 1945. The first RN ship to carry this name her build was completed on 20th September 1945.

F i n a l P h a s e

HMS BURGHEAD BAY was placed on Disposal List (Sales) in August 1958). The condition of the ship when accepted into Reserve must have influenced decision of Portuguese Government in deciding to purchase her in May 1959. She was renamed ALVARES CABAL on entry into Portuguese service. This was confirmed by her last commanding officer, who, in 1966, was invited to inspect her. He found the ship to still be in ‘the splendid state as at time of purchase’. She was deployed as an AA frigate until 23 June 1971 when scrapped.

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Burghead Bay

" Hey guys! Wasn’t such a bad place in 1953. I was out there on the West Indies run on HMS Burghead Bay. Had a ball so to speak! "

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