HMS Vigo (D31)
Encyclopedia
HMS Vigo (D31) was a Battle-class
destroyer
of the Royal Navy
. She was named after the Battle of Vigo
, which took place in 1702 during the War of Spanish Succession between a British-Dutch Fleet and the French, and which ended in a victory for the British. Vigo was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company
of Govan
. She was launched on the on 27 September 1945 and commissioned on the on 9 December 1946.
Upon commissioning, Vigo was placed in Reserve along with a number of her sister-ships. In 1949, Vigo joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, based in the Mediterranean, which at that time, had quite a large Royal Navy presence. She performed a variety of operations there, at a time when there was much going on in the region and nearby, such as the internal turmoil in Egypt
between 1951–1954.
In 1953, while still in the Mediterranean, Vigo suffered a fire onboard her, causing minor damage, though Vigo would suffer another fire in 1954. Also that year, Vigo became the Gunnery Training Ship based at Portsmouth
, a duty that a number of her sister-ships also performed.
In addition to being the Gunnery Training Ship to HMS Excellent, at Whale Island, the Vigo was also Captain (D) of the Portsmouth Squadron. As well as her Gunnery duties, during the period 1958-59, the Vigo also carried out two Icelandic patrols during the first "Ice War;" took part in NATO exercises, and visited such ports as Vigo, Cuxhaven, Caen and Den Helder, before being paid off in September, 1959, having been relieved as Captain (D) by HMS Wakeful circa 17 Aug 1959 : by this date her hull was considered to be beyond economic repair. Her last commanding officer, Captain M.P. Pollock, MVO, DSC, went on to become Admiral of the Fleet.
She was finally scrapped in 1964 at Faslane.
Battle class destroyer
The Battle class were a class of destroyers of the British Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy . Built in three groups, the first group were ordered under the 1942 naval estimates. A modified second and third group, together with two ships of an extended design were planned for the 1943 and 1944...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
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...
. She was named after the Battle of Vigo
Battle of Vigo
The Battle of Vigo may refer to:* Battle of Vigo Bay, which took place in 1702 as part of the War of the Spanish Successcion* Capture of Vigo, a British operation to capture the city in 1719 as part of the War of the Quadruple Alliance...
, which took place in 1702 during the War of Spanish Succession between a British-Dutch Fleet and the French, and which ended in a victory for the British. Vigo was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company
Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company
The Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Limited was a British shipbuilding company in the Govan area on the Clyde in Glasgow. Fairfields, as it is often known, was a major warship builder, turning out many vessels for the Royal Navy and other navies through the First World War and the...
of Govan
Govan
Govan is a district and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick....
. She was launched on the on 27 September 1945 and commissioned on the on 9 December 1946.
Upon commissioning, Vigo was placed in Reserve along with a number of her sister-ships. In 1949, Vigo joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, based in the Mediterranean, which at that time, had quite a large Royal Navy presence. She performed a variety of operations there, at a time when there was much going on in the region and nearby, such as the internal turmoil in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
between 1951–1954.
In 1953, while still in the Mediterranean, Vigo suffered a fire onboard her, causing minor damage, though Vigo would suffer another fire in 1954. Also that year, Vigo became the Gunnery Training Ship based 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...
, a duty that a number of her sister-ships also performed.
In addition to being the Gunnery Training Ship to HMS Excellent, at Whale Island, the Vigo was also Captain (D) of the Portsmouth Squadron. As well as her Gunnery duties, during the period 1958-59, the Vigo also carried out two Icelandic patrols during the first "Ice War;" took part in NATO exercises, and visited such ports as Vigo, Cuxhaven, Caen and Den Helder, before being paid off in September, 1959, having been relieved as Captain (D) by HMS Wakeful circa 17 Aug 1959 : by this date her hull was considered to be beyond economic repair. Her last commanding officer, Captain M.P. Pollock, MVO, DSC, went on to become Admiral of the Fleet.
She was finally scrapped in 1964 at Faslane.