HMS Galatea (F18)

HMS Galatea (F18) was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy. She was built by Swan Hunter & Wigham on the Tyne. She was launched on 23 May 1963 and commissioned on 25 April 1964 and was the eighth ship of the Royal Navy to bear the name.[1]

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Galatea.

History
United Kingdom
NameGalatea
BuilderSwan Hunter
Laid down29 December 1961
Launched23 May 1963
Commissioned25 April 1964
Decommissioned31 January 1987
MottoNobis Mare Patria
FateSunk as target, 21 July 1988
General characteristics
Class and typeLeander-class frigate
Displacement2,450 tons
Length372 ft (113 m)
Beam41 ft (12 m)
Draught18 ft (5.5 m)
PropulsionTwin oil-fired steam turbines, 30,000 hp (22,000 kW)
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) max
Range4,600 nmi (8,500 km; 5,300 mi)
Complement251 (257 after Ikara upgrade)
Armament
Aircraft carriedWasp helicopter

First deployments

Upon her commission, Galatea was immediately stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. The following year, Galatea was involved in exercises in that region, and in 1966 joined the 27th Escort Group which were also based in the Mediterranean. Later that year, Galatea returned to United Kingdom waters when she joined the Home Fleet. In 1968, Galatea was present with HMS Dainty in West Germany during the Kiel Week event, which combines a yachting race and festival entertainment. In the same year she took part in Portsmouth 'Navy Days'.[2]

Gatatea's Wasp helicopter landing personnel on Aldabra atoll, Indian Ocean in 1970

Refitting and Cod Wars

In 1971, Galatea began a period of refit and modernisation, which included the installation of the Ikara[3] and Sea Cat weapons systems. The refit was completed in 1974. The following year, Galatea was engaged in operations during the Third Cod War with Iceland, patrolling against possible Icelandic interference with British fishing trawlers. On 26 March 1976, Galatea collided with the stern of the Icelandic Coast Guard vessel Baldur, damaging the frigate's bow.[4][5]

Galatea's last decade

In 1977, Galatea underwent a refit after participating in a Fleet Review, in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee. Galatea, leader of the 1st Frigate Squadron, was positioned between her sister ship Phoebe and the cruiser Blake.[6]

In 1978, Galatea returned to the Mediterranean, where a number of patrols and exercises were undertaken. Much of 1980 was spent in the Far East, but a planned nine-month deployment ended with the start of the Iran–Iraq War. In 1981, Galatea refitted in Gibraltar before deploying to the Persian Gulf on Armilla Patrol, where she remained until about 1983. The frigate decommissioned in January 1987 and was sunk as a target in July 1988, as part of naval exercises in the North Atlantic.[7]

Commanding officers

Notable commanding officers include Henry Leach from 1965 to 1967[8] and Anthony (Tony) John Cooke between 1969 and 1971.

References
  1. "Unit History: HMS Galatea". forces-war-records.co.uk. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  2. Programme, Navy Days at Portsmouth August 31st-September 2nd 1968, p. 19.
  3. "F18 HMS Galatea". helis.com. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  4. "Ásigling á Baldur". Þjóðviljinn (in Icelandic). 27 March 1976. p. 1. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  5. "Baldur og Galatea í árekstri". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 27 March 1976. pp. 2, 20. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  6. Official Souvenir Programme, 1977. Silver Jubilee Fleet Review, HMSO
  7. "Leander Class". battleships-cruisers.co.uk. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  8. Royal Navy Senior Appointments, Colin Mackie

Publications
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