View source for HMS Minerva (F45)

{{short description|1966 Type 12I or Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy}}
{{other ships|HMS Minerva}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{more citations needed|date=May 2008}}
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|Ship caption=HMS ''Minerva'' in April 1970
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=United Kingdom
|Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|Ship name=HMS ''Minerva''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[Vickers Armstrong]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship laid down=25 July 1963
|Ship launched=19 December 1964
|Ship sponsor=
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|Ship completed=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=14 May 1966
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned= March 1992
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|Ship identification=[[Pennant number]] F45
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname="Fighting 45"<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://smmlonline.com/archives/VOL2113.txt |title=Volume 2113: Nicknames |date=6 February 2003 |website=SMML Online.com |access-date=7 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061216225142/http://www.smmlonline.com/archives/VOL2113.txt |archive-date=16 December 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Ship honours=
|Ship fate=Sold for scrap July 1993
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Ship class={{sclass|Leander|frigate}}
|Ship displacement={{convert|3200|LT|t|0|lk=in|abbr=on}} full load
|Ship length= {{convert|113.4|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{convert|12.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught= {{convert|5.8|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth=
|Ship decks=
|Ship propulsion=2 × [[Babcock & Wilcox]] boilers supplying steam to two sets of White-[[English Electric]] double-reduction geared turbines to two shafts
|Ship speed={{convert|28|kn|km/h}}
|Ship range={{convert|4600|nmi|km}} at {{convert|15|kn|km/h}}
|Ship endurance=
|Ship complement=223
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*'''As built:'''
* 1 × twin [[QF 4.5-inch naval gun|4.5-inch (114 mm) guns]]
* 1 × quadruple [[Seacat (missile)|Sea Cat]] anti-aircraft missile launchers
* 1 × [[Limbo (weapon)|Limbo anti-submarine mortar]]
* '''From 1980:'''
* 4 × [[Exocet]] anti-ship missile launchers
* 3 × quadruple Seacat anti-aircraft missile launchers
* 2 × single [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns]]
* 2 × triple torpedo tubes
|Ship armour=
|Ship aircraft=*1 × [[Westland Wasp]] helicopter
* '''From 1980:'''
* 1 × [[Westland Lynx|Lynx]] helicopter
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

'''HMS ''Minerva'' (F45)''' was a {{sclass|Leander|frigate}} of the [[Royal Navy]]. The ship [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] in 1966 and took part in the [[Beira Patrol]] and [[Cod Wars|Second Cod War]] during the 1970s and the [[Falklands War]] in 1982. [[Charles, Prince of Wales]] served aboard the ship in the 1970s. Between these major engagements, the frigate patrolled British territorial waters and took part in [[NATO]] and British [[military exercise]]s. ''Minerva'' was [[Ship commissioning#Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] in 1992 and sold for [[Ship breaking|scrap]].

==Construction and design==
''Minerva'' was ordered during 1962 as the 13th ship of the ''Leander''-class.<ref name="Leap33">{{Harvnb|Osborne|Sowdon|1990|p=33}}</ref> The ship was [[Keel laying|laid down]] at [[HMNB Devonport|Devonport Dockyard]] on 25 July 1963, was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 19 December 1964 and commissioned with the [[Pennant number]] F45 on 14 May 1966.<ref name="leap109">{{Harvnb|Osborne|Sowdon|1990|p=109}}</ref><ref name="jawa85p626">{{Harvnb|Moore|1985|p=626}}</ref>

''Minerva'' was {{convert|372|ft|m|1}} long [[length overall|overall]] and {{convert|360|ft|m|1}} [[Waterline length|at the waterline]], with a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|41|ft|m|1}} and a maximum [[Draft (ship)|draught]] of {{convert|18|ft|m|1}}. [[Displacement (ship)|Displacement]] was {{convert|2380|LT|t}} standard and {{convert|2860|LT|t}} full load.<ref name="leap111">{{Harvnb|Osborne|Sowdon|1990|p=111}}</ref> The ship was fitted with Y-136 machinery, built by Vickers at their [[Barrow-in-Furness]] works.<ref name="leap112">{{Harvnb|Osborne|Sowdon|1990|p=112}}</ref> Two oil-fired [[Babcock & Wilcox]] boilers fed steam at {{convert|550|psi}} and {{convert|850|F|C}} to a pair of double reduction geared [[steam turbine]]s that in turn drove two propeller shafts, with the machinery rated at {{convert|30000|shp|kW}}, giving a speed of {{convert|28|kn}}.<ref name="leap111"/>{{#tag:ref|This speed was for the ship at deep load condition, and with six months worth of [[Biofouling|fouling]] in temperate conditions.<ref name="friedp252">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|p=252}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}

A twin [[QF 4.5-inch Mk I – V naval gun#Variants|4.5-inch (113 mm) Mark 6]] gun mount was fitted forward. Anti-aircraft defence was provided by a quadruple [[Sea Cat]] [[surface-to-air missile]] launcher on the hangar roof, while two [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]] for close-in defence against surface targets.  A [[Limbo (weapon)|Limbo]] anti-submarine mortar was fitted aft to provide a short-range anti-submarine capability, while a hangar and helicopter deck allowed a single [[Westland Wasp]] helicopter to be operated, for longer range anti-submarine and anti-surface operations.<ref name="Leap33-6">{{Harvnb|Osborne|Sowdon|1990|pp=33–36}}</ref>

As built, ''Minerva'' was fitted with a large Type 965 long range air search [[radar]] on the ship's mainmast, with a Type 993 short range air/surface target indicating radar and Type 974 navigation radar carried on the ship's foremast. An MRS3 fire control system was carried over the ship's bridge to direct the 4.5-inch guns, while a GWS22 director for Seacat was mounted on the hangar roof.<ref name="Leap33,35-6">{{Harvnb|Osborne|Sowdon|1990|pp=33, 35–36}}</ref> The ship had a [[sonar]] suite of Type 184 medium range search sonar, Type 162 bottom search and Type 170 attack sonar.<ref name="Leap33-4">{{Harvnb|Osborne|Sowdon|1990|pp=33–34}}</ref><ref name="friedp253">{{Harvnb|Friedman|2008|p=253}}</ref> While there was provision for a Type 199 [[variable depth sonar]] (VDS), this was not fitted.<ref name="leap112"/>

From 1975 to 1979, ''Minerva'' was refitted at [[Chatham Dockyard]] where she was converted to the Batch 2 (or Exocet) conversion.<ref name="Leap70">{{Harvnb|Osborne|Sowdon|1990|p=70}}</ref> The conversion included the removal and replacement of all the ship's armament. The Mark 6 4.5-in gun mount was replaced by four [[Exocet]] [[anti-ship missile]]s. The Limbo anti-submarine mortar was removed to give a larger flight deck and the ship's hangar was enlarged to allow a [[Westland Lynx]] helicopter to be operated, while two triple STWS torpedo tubes provided short range anti-submarine capability. Anti-aircraft armament consisted of one Seacat launcher mounted forward of the Exocet containers and two more mounted aft on the hangar roof, backed up by two [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft guns]] on the bridge wings. Type 1006 navigation radar replaced the old Type 974 radar, while the MRS3 gun control director as replaced by a GWS22 director for the forward Seacat launcher, with a second Seacat director mounted aft. Type 184M sonar replaced the main hull sonar, while the VDS was removed and its well plated over. Displacement rose to {{convert|2700|LT|t}} standard and {{convert|3200|LT|t}}, with speed falling by two knots.<ref name="leap67-9">{{Harvnb|Osborne|Sowdon|1990|pp=67–69}}</ref><ref name="marp82-4">{{Harvnb|Marriott|1983|pp=82–84}}</ref>

==Service==
In 1968, ''Minerva'' deployed to the [[West Indies]] during some troubles there, operating from Bermuda. Island hopping was carried out to "show the flag". In 1970, ''Minerva'', like many other British vessels including other ''Leander''s, deployed on [[Beira Patrol]], an operation designed to prevent oil from reaching the landlocked [[Rhodesia]] via [[Mozambique]], before visiting various ports around Asia and the Pacific. The following year, ''Minerva'' deployed on her second Beira Patrol which proved relatively quiet.

In November 1972, [[Charles, Prince of Wales|the Prince of Wales]] joined ''Minerva''. The following year, in February, ''Minerva'', along with the Prince, deployed to the [[Caribbean]]. While there ''Minerva'' was involved in a number of exercises, including Exercise "Rum Punch" at [[Puerto Rico]], involving British and American forces. The ship returned to the UK in November. ''Minerva'' then took part in the [[Cod Wars|Second Cod War]], in early 1973. In 1975, ''Minerva'' returned to the Caribbean, performing a variety of duties there.

Between December 1975 and March 1979, ''Minerva'' underwent modernisation, including the addition of [[Exocet]] missiles. While she was undergoing post refit trials ''Minerva'' suffered a starboard boiler explosion which destroyed both boiler uptakes forcing her to be towed to [[Chatham Dockyard]] for repairs.<ref name="critp122"/> Following completion of the repairs and refit, ''Minerva'' became leader of the Fifth Frigate Squadron.<ref name="nn779">{{cite news|title=Ships of the Royal Navy No. 284: Minerva takes the lead|newspaper=[[Navy News]]|date=July 1979|page=5|url=https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/197907|access-date=6 October 2018}}</ref> On 15 December 1979, a {{convert|200|ft|m}} dockyard crane at [[HMNB Devonport|Devonport Dockyard]] collapsed in a storm, hitting ''Minerva'' and the frigate {{HMS|Ambuscade|F172|2}}, which was berthed alongside. ''Minerva''{{'}}s starboard Seacat launcher was wrecked, and her hangar damaged, while ''Ambuscade'' had one of her boats damaged.<ref name="critp122">{{Harvnb|Critchley|1992|p=122}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Knock-Out Blow For Minerva|newspaper=[[Navy News]]|date=January 1980|page=40|url=https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/198001|access-date=22 September 2018}}</ref> In 1980, ''Minerva'' deployed to the Mediterranean where she carried out exercises with other [[NATO]] warships. While there ''Minerva'' got involved in the [[Cold War]] when she shadowed {{ship|Soviet aircraft carrier|Kiev||2}}, the nameship of a three-ship class of large [[aircraft carrier]]s. Between 1978 and 1980 she was commanded by [[Benjamin Bathurst (Royal Navy officer)|Benjamin Bathurst]].

In 1981, ''Minerva'' was involved in further exercises in the [[Persian Gulf]].

In 1982 during the [[Falklands War]] ''Minerva'' was part of the '[[Bristol Group]]' and thus joined the war rather late, not reaching the [[Falkland Islands]] until 26 May. While there, ''Minerva'' performed a number of duties, including escort for other vessels. On 1 June 1982 her radar detected an Argentinian [[C-130 Hercules|C-130]] and vectored a flight of patrolling [[Sea Harrier]]s towards it. The reconnaissance plane was intercepted and shot down.<ref name="AS1">{{cite web|url=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19820601-0|title= ASN Aircraft accident Lockheed C-130H Hercules TC-63 Pebble Island|work=Aviation Safety Network|publisher= Flight Safety Foundation|access-date=22 September 2018}}</ref>  ''Minerva'' suffered no damage during her deployment during the Falklands War and she returned to [[HMNB Devonport|Devonport]] in September, crowds greeting her upon her return.

In November, ''Minerva'' accidentally rammed the {{sclass|Rothesay|frigate|2}} {{HMS|Yarmouth|F101|6}}. In late 1984, ''Minerva'' returned to the [[Atlantic Ocean|South Atlantic]] on a deployment that encompassed all British South Atlantic territories, a deployment which lasted into 1985. In 1986, ''Minerva'' completed a brief three-month deployment to the Caribbean. This was followed by BOST at Portland and JMC 863. On 12 January 1987 ''Minerva'' once again deployed to the South Atlantic as Falklands Guardship including a visit to [[South Georgia Island|South Georgia]]. She was relieved by HMS ''Penelope'' in May and returned home via the [[Patagonian Canal]] visiting [[Valparaíso]], Chile, [[Lima]], Peru, Panama and [[Florida]]. She returned home briefly for annual leave on 3 July before returning to sea early August on FCS duties and a further BOST. ''Minerva'' completed 330 sea days in this year. 1988 was a quieter affair with a short visit to the Mediterranean followed by refit in September 1988. In 1990 as part of the Dartmouth Training Group led by HMS ''Bristol'', she completed deployments to the [[Great Lakes]] and a global deployment in 1990.  On her return and showing her age, ''Minerva'' was laid up in March 1992, her long and eventful career finally coming to an end. The following year ''Minerva'' was [[Ship breaking|sold for scrap]].

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{Cite Colledge2006}}
* {{cite book|last=Critchley |first=Mike |title=British Warships Since 1945: Part 5: Frigates|year=1992| publisher=Maritime Press|location=Liskeard, UK|isbn=0-907771-13-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=British Destroyers & Frigates: The Second World War and After|year=2008|publisher=Seaforth Publishing|location=Barnsley, UK|isbn=978-1-84832-015-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Marriott|first=Leo|year=1983 |title=Royal Navy Frigates 1945–1983|publisher=Ian Allan Ltd|location=Shepperton, Surrey, UK |isbn= 0-7110-1322-5}}
* {{cite book| editor-last=Moore | editor-first= John |title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1985–1986|year=1985|publisher=Jane's Yearbooks | location= London | isbn= 0-7106-0814-4}}
* {{cite book|last1=Osborne|first1=Richard|last2=Sowdon|first2=David |title=Leander Class Frigates |year=1990 |publisher = World Ships Society |location= Kendal, UK | isbn=0-905617-56-8}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|HMS Minerva (F45) (ship, 1964)}}

{{Leander class frigate}}
{{Falklands War British ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Minerva (F45)}}
[[Category:Leander-class frigates]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Clyde]]
[[Category:Falklands War naval ships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1964 ships]]