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HMS Arethusa (F38)
Encyclopedia
HMS Arethusa (F38) was a Leander-class
frigate of the Royal Navy
(RN). She was, like the rest of the Leanders, named after a figure of mythology. Arethusa was built by J.S. White & Company Shipbuilders
of Cowes
. Arethusa was launched on 5 November 1963 and commissioned on 24 November 1965.
In 1967, Arethusa deployed to the Mediterranean.
At the end of 1967 Arethusa docked down for a Docking and Essential Defect (DED) period finishing in the spring of 1968. After re dedication the ship worked up at Portland later deploying to the Mediterranean.
In 1969 Arethusa together with HMS Juno, HMS Hampshire (D06) and RFA Lyness visited Barbados, transited the Panama Canal and proceeded to Callao(Lima Peru), Valparaiso, Falkland Islands, Montevideo returning to the UK for Easter.
Later in 1969 Arethusa was deployed as West Indies Guard Ship. Visits included Punta Del Garda, Bermuda, Washington DC, Norfolk Virginia, Key West, Anguilla, Antigua, St Lucia, Curacao, St Kitts, Tortola, St Vincent, Carriacou, Nassau, Freeport Grand Bahama, transiting the Panama Canal again to San Diego and San Francisco; returning via the Panama Canal to Trinidad. She continued to Cartegena, Dominica, St Martin, Bequia, Georgetown, Belize, Fort Lauderdale arriving in Portsmouth in April 1970. Arethusa
was guard ship for the hand-over of independence to British Guiana
.
In 1970, Arethusa deployed to the Far East
and while there, helped escort HM the Queen
and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh on their South East Asian tour. In 1972, Arethusa undertook a Beira Patrol
which was designed to prevent oil reaching the landlocked country of Rhodesia
via the then Portuguese colony of Mozambique
. The following year, Arethusa undertook a Fishery Protection Patrol during the Second Cod War, and during that patrol was rammed by the Icelandic gunboat Odin.
Later that year, Arethusa began her modernisation which included the removal of her one twin 4.5-in gun, with the Ikara
anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missile system taking its place. The modernisation was completed in April 1977. In that same year, Arethusa, like many Leanders, took part in the Royal Navy's last Fleet Review
so far, in celebration of HM the Queen's
Silver Jubilee. Arethusa was positioned in the middle of HM ships Cleopatra
and HMS Arrow
. In 1979, Arethusa deployed to the Far East
and Pacific.
In 1980 Arethusa underwent a refit that was completed the following year. She then joined Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT), a NATO multi-national squadron, a squadron that Arethusa saw much service in. In 1985, Arethusa was fitted with the towed array sonar
. On 4 April 1989, at Portsmouth
, Arethusa decommissioned. She was eventually sunk as a target in 1991.
Leander class frigate
The Leander class, or Type 12I frigates, comprising twenty-six vessels, was among the most numerous and long-lived classes of frigate in the Royal Navy's modern history. The class was built in three batches between 1959 and 1973...
frigate of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
(RN). She was, like the rest of the Leanders, named after a figure of mythology. Arethusa was built by J.S. White & Company Shipbuilders
J. Samuel White
J. Samuel White was a British shipbuilding firm based in Cowes, taking its name from John Samuel White . It came to prominence during the Victorian era...
of Cowes
Cowes
Cowes is an English seaport town and civil parish on the Isle of Wight. Cowes is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east Bank...
. Arethusa was launched on 5 November 1963 and commissioned on 24 November 1965.
In 1967, Arethusa deployed to the Mediterranean.
At the end of 1967 Arethusa docked down for a Docking and Essential Defect (DED) period finishing in the spring of 1968. After re dedication the ship worked up at Portland later deploying to the Mediterranean.
In 1969 Arethusa together with HMS Juno, HMS Hampshire (D06) and RFA Lyness visited Barbados, transited the Panama Canal and proceeded to Callao(Lima Peru), Valparaiso, Falkland Islands, Montevideo returning to the UK for Easter.
Later in 1969 Arethusa was deployed as West Indies Guard Ship. Visits included Punta Del Garda, Bermuda, Washington DC, Norfolk Virginia, Key West, Anguilla, Antigua, St Lucia, Curacao, St Kitts, Tortola, St Vincent, Carriacou, Nassau, Freeport Grand Bahama, transiting the Panama Canal again to San Diego and San Francisco; returning via the Panama Canal to Trinidad. She continued to Cartegena, Dominica, St Martin, Bequia, Georgetown, Belize, Fort Lauderdale arriving in Portsmouth in April 1970. Arethusa
Arethusa
- Mythology :* Arethusa , a nereid nymph who became a fountain* See Hesperides for Arethusa, a hesperid nymph- Places :* Arethusa , an ancient city in Mygdonia of ancient Macedonia* Arethusa , a titular see of Syria near Apameia...
was guard ship for the hand-over of independence to British Guiana
British Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
.
In 1970, Arethusa deployed to the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
and while there, helped escort HM the Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh on their South East Asian tour. In 1972, Arethusa undertook a Beira Patrol
Beira Patrol
The Beira Patrol was a blockade of oil shipments to Rhodesia through Beira, Mozambique, resulting from United Nations trade sanctions after Rhodesia declared its independence...
which was designed to prevent oil reaching the landlocked country of Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
via the then Portuguese colony of Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
. The following year, Arethusa undertook a Fishery Protection Patrol during the Second Cod War, and during that patrol was rammed by the Icelandic gunboat Odin.
Later that year, Arethusa began her modernisation which included the removal of her one twin 4.5-in gun, with the Ikara
Ikara (missile)
The Ikara missile was an Australian ship-launched anti-submarine missile, named after an Australian Aboriginal word for "throwing stick". It launched an acoustic torpedo to a range of , allowing fast-reaction attacks against submarines at ranges that would otherwise require the launching ship to...
anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missile system taking its place. The modernisation was completed in April 1977. In that same year, Arethusa, like many Leanders, took part in the Royal Navy's last Fleet Review
Fleet Review, Royal Navy
A fleet review is a traditional gathering of ships from a particular navy to be observed by the reigning monarch or his or her viceroy, a practice allegedly dating back to the 15th century. Such an event is not held at regular intervals and originally only occurred when the fleet was mobilised for...
so far, in celebration of HM the Queen's
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
Silver Jubilee. Arethusa was positioned in the middle of HM ships Cleopatra
HMS Cleopatra (F28)
HMS Cleopatra was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy . Cleopatra was built at HMNB Devonport. She was launched on the 25th March 1964 and commissioned on the 4th January 1966....
and HMS Arrow
HMS Arrow
Seven ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Arrow, after the projectile:, a 20-gun sloop purchased in 1796, but captured by the French frigates Incorruptible and Hortense near Gibraltar on 4 February 1805., a 14-gun cutter launched at Deptford Dockyard on 7 September 1805, and converted to a...
. In 1979, Arethusa deployed to the Far East
Far East
The Far East is an English term mostly describing East Asia and Southeast Asia, with South Asia sometimes also included for economic and cultural reasons.The term came into use in European geopolitical discourse in the 19th century,...
and Pacific.
In 1980 Arethusa underwent a refit that was completed the following year. She then joined Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT), a NATO multi-national squadron, a squadron that Arethusa saw much service in. In 1985, Arethusa was fitted with the towed array sonar
Towed array sonar
A towed array sonar is a sonar array that is towed behind a submarine or surface ship. It is basically a long cable, up to 5 km, with hydrophones that is trailed behind the ship when deployed. The hydrophones are placed at specific distances along the cable...
. On 4 April 1989, at Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, Arethusa decommissioned. She was eventually sunk as a target in 1991.