HMS Penelope (F127)

For other ships of the same name, see HMS Penelope.

Former HMS Penelope (F127) delivered to Ecuador in 1991
Career (UK)
Name:	HMS Penelope (F127)
Operator:	Royal Navy
Builder:	Vickers-Armstrongs (Shipbuilders) Ltd, Newcastle
Laid down:	14 March 1961
Launched:	17 August 1962
Commissioned:	31 October 1963
Decommissioned:	1991
Fate:	Sold to Ecuador, 1991
Career (Ecuador)
Name:	Presidente Eloy Alfaro (FM 01)
Namesake:	Eloy Alfaro
Operator:	Ecuadorian Navy
Commissioned:	1991
Decommissioned:	19 March 2008
Fate:	Scrapped
General characteristics
Class and type:	Leander class frigate

HMS Penelope (F127) was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy. Like other ships of the class, Penelope was named after a figure of mythology. HMS Penelope was launched on 17 August 1962 and commissioned on 31 October 1963. Penelope was intended to be part of the Salisbury class and was to have been named Coventry (and before that Panther), but instead became part of the Leander-class.

Service history

In Royal Navy service, 1963–1991

Upon commissioning, Penelope joined the 20th Frigate Squadron which was based in the UK. In 1966, Penelope underwent a refit that re-roled her into a trials ship and led to the removal of much of her weapons including her one twin 4.5-in gun and later the whole turret.

In 1968, Penelope assisted in the aftermath of the Aer Lingus Flight 712 crash in the Irish Sea. There has been a number of conspiracy theories about the crash, including the alleged involvement of Penelope. The theory goes that Penelope, while performing tests, mistook the aircraft for a target drone and shot her down. All conspiracy theories have been refuted by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The following year, Penelope was present in West Germany during the Kiel Week festival which combined a yachting race and festival events. Penelope took part in a variety of tests in the 1970s, including Sea Wolf missile tests in 1977. In 1981, Penelope was fitted with the Exocet missile with the intention of using Penelope to test it.

In 1982, Penelope took part in the Falklands War as part of "Bristol group", which included two other Leander-class ships - Minerva (F45) and Andromeda (F57) - and did not reach the Falkland Islands area of operations until the 26 May. Upon arrival, Penelope mainly performed escort duties, including escorting the damaged Argonaut (F56) in late May, who had suffered damage after being hit by cannon fire and bombs.

On the 13th June, Penelope's Lynx helicopter struck the already stranded Argentinian patrol boat Rio Iguazu with a Sea Skua missile. Penelope returned home in September 1982.

Soon after, Penelope undertook a Falklands patrol in the tense aftermath of the war, and did not return home until June 1983. The following year, Penelope deployed to the South Atlantic yet again, patrolling and performing other duties in that region. In 1988, Penelope lost steering and collided with the starboard side of the Preserver (AOR 510), a Canadian supply ship. The Penelope caught the Preserver's starboard anchor, cutting her port side open. The Canadian vessel suffered $260,000 damage, while the Penelope suffered damage estimated in the millions.

In Ecuadorian Navy service, 1991–2008

Commodore Nigel Bray captained HMS Penelope until her decommissioning from the Royal Navy in 1991, Penelope was decommissioned and subsequently sold, along with Danae (F47), to Ecuador. She was renamed Presidente Eloy Alfaro after President Eloy Alfaro, a prominent Ecuadorian martyred reformer of the early 20th century.

Presidente Eloy Alfaro was decommissioned on 19 March 2008, after 17 years in the Ecuadorian Navy.