HMS Hermione (F58)

HMS Hermione (F58) was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy (RN). She was, like the rest of her class, named after a figure of mythology. Hermione was built by Alexander Stephen and Sons, though she was completed by Yarrow Shipbuilders. She was launched on 26 April 1967 and commissioned on 11 July 1969.

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

Helicopter landing on F58 in November 1978
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Hermione (F58)
Operator: Royal Navy
Laid down: 6 December 1965
Launched: 26 April 1967
Commissioned: 11 July 1969
Decommissioned: 30 June 1992
Fate: Sold for scrap, 1997
General characteristics
Class and type: Leander-class frigate
Aircraft carried: 1 × Lynx HMA8

Operational service

In 1970, Hermione deployed to the Far East and Pacific visiting a variety of places and performing a number of duties. Hermione became quite used to such warm climates during the 1970s. In 1977 Hermione, as leader of the 5th Frigate Squadron, took part in the Fleet Review of the Royal Navy, in celebration of HM the Queen's Silver Jubilee.[1]

In January 1980, Hermione began her modernisation programme, which included the addition of the Sea Wolf missile and the Exocet anti-ship missile, which forced the removal of Hermione's twin 4.5 in guns. The modernisation was completed in 1983 at Chatham Naval Dockyard, and Hermione was the last ship to leave when the dockyard closed. Upon the completion of her modernisation, Hermione joined the 8th Frigate Squadron. Hermione saw service in the Middle East, also being involved in the so-called 'Tanker War' during the Iran–Iraq War. In 1991, Hermione returned to the Middle East on an Armilla Patrol deployment, but in the following year Hermione was decommissioned and in 1997 she was sold to India for scrap.

The ship also enjoyed fame on BBC TV, through starring as "HMS Hero" in the acclaimed drama series Warship. All members of the crew were given "HMS Hero" cap tallies for filming purposes. The main ship used for filming was, however, HMS Phoebe.

Commanding officers
FromToCaptain
1970-101970-12Lt.Cdr Micheal Howitt RN
1971Commander Robert Squires RN
19741975Captain Peter Stanford RN
19751977Captain Geoffrey R T Duffay RN
19771977Captain J A B Thomas RN
19781979Captain J B L Watson RN
19871989Captain John McAnally RN

References
  1. Official Souvenir Programme, 1977. Silver Jubilee Fleet Review, HMSO

Publications
  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
  • Marriott, Leo, 1983. Royal Navy Frigates 1945-1983, Ian Allan Ltd, Surrey.
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