HMS Chiddingfold (M37)
HMS Chiddingfold entering Portsmouth July 2013.
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History | |
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United Kingdom | |
Name | HMS Chiddingfold |
Operator | Royal Navy |
Builder | Vosper Thornycroft |
Launched | October 1983 |
Sponsored by | Lady Anne Kennon |
Commissioned | October 1984 |
Homeport | HMNB Portsmouth, Hampshire |
Identification |
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Motto | “Leading the Hunt” |
Nickname(s) | "Cheery Chid" |
Status | in active service |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Template:Sclass2- |
Displacement | 750 t (740 long tons; 830 short tons)[1] |
Length | 60 m (196 ft 10 in) |
Beam | 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in) |
Draught | 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) |
Propulsion | 2 × Caterpillar C32 diesels,[2] 2 shafts |
Speed | 17 kn (31 km/h; 20 mph) |
Complement | 45 (6 officers & 39 ratings) |
Sensors and processing systems | Sonar Type 2193 |
Electronic warfare & decoys |
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Armament |
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HMS Chiddingfold is a Template:Sclass2- of the British Royal Navy.
She was launched in October 1983 by her sponsor, Lady Anne Kennon, and formally entered the service of the Royal Navy in October 1984. Chiddingfold is a minehunter, and her purpose is to find and destroy mines, not only in a time of war but also in peacetime. There are about a quarter of a million mines still active from the Second World War alone and they pose a major threat to both military and civilian ships. Chiddingfold is able to enter some types of minefields without the mines detonating. This is because she is made of glass-reinforced plastic and all fixtures within the ship are made of non-ferrous metals, keeping the ship's magnetic signature to the bare minimum.
Operational history
In January 2012, Chiddingfold began a year-long mid-life upgrade project, including the replacement of her engines, gearboxes, propellers and an upgraded thruster system; she was the first vessel of her class to undergo the refurbishment.[2]
In June 2014, Chiddingfold sailed in company with HMS Penzance for a three-year deployment in the Gulf.[3] She returned to the UK in 2017 after being relieved by sister Ledbury.[4] The long-term deployment to the Gulf was renewed again in 2020 when HMS Chiddingfold returned to the region with HMS Penzance to operate as part of 9 Mine Countermeasures Squadron from HMS Jufair in Bahrain. In this role, crews for HMS Chiddingfold rotate every four months. [5]
Affiliations
Chiddingfold has a connection with the village of Chiddingfold, and every year they have a stall at the Chiddingfold fete. HMS Chiddingfold is also affiliated with the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers, one of the City of London's Livery Companies.
References
- ^ "Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels - Specifications". GlobalSecurity.org. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ a b "HMS Chiddingfold Gets Two New Engines at BAE Systems' Portsmouth Yard". Shipbuilding Tribune. 13 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ^ "HMS Chiddingfold sails for three-year deployment in the Gulf". Royal Navy. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ "Ledbury gears up for Gulf mission with extensive workout in Scotland". Royal Navy. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/royal-navy-minehunter-hms-chiddingfold-departs-portsmouth-gulf-joining-hms-penzance-2880024
External links
- "HMS Chiddingfold". Royal Navy.