HMS Lowestoft (F103)

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

HMS Lowestoft in 1979
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Lowestoft
Builder	Alex Stephens & Sons
Laid down	9 June 1958
Launched	23 June 1960
Commissioned	26 September 1961
Decommissioned	1985
Identification	Pennant number: F103
Fate	Sunk as target 8 June 1986
General characteristics
Class and type	Rothesay-class frigate
Displacement	2,800 tons
Length	370 ft
Beam	41 ft
Draught	17 ft 4 in
Propulsion	2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers operating at 550lb sq. in, 850°F English Electric geared turbines, 2 shafts, 30000 shafts horsepower
Speed	30 kn (56 km/h)
Complement	235
Armament	2 × 4.5" Dual Purpose on a Mk VI Mounting 1 x 40mm on STAGG mounting 1 x Limbo Mortar Mk 10 Mountings
Aircraft carried	1 × Wasp helicopter

HMS Lowestoft was a Rothesay or Type 12 class anti-submarine frigate of the British Royal Navy. Lowestoft was reconstructed in the late 1960's to largely the same pattern as the third group of Leander frigates, with new radar and fire control and a hangar and pad for a Wasp helicopter for longer range, anti submarine, engagement. In the late 1970's it was converted as the prototype towed array frigate for the Royal Navy, but retained its full armament. Lowestoft was sunk as a target on 8 June 1986 by HMS Conqueror using a Tigerfish torpedo. She was the last Royal Naval target to be sunk still displaying her pennant number.

Commanding officers

From	To	Commanding Officer
1961	1963	Commander Raymond Lygo RN
1963	1964	Commander M W G Fawcett RN
1964	1966	Captain J D Treacher RN
1966	1967	Commander E M G Johnstone RN
1967	1970	In refit
1970	1971	Commander D H Morse RN
1971	1973	Commander M C Powys-Maurice RN
1973	1974	Commander P G V Dingemans RN
1974	1975	Commander T Goetz RN
1975	1977	Commander R M Carpendale RN
1977	1979	Commander T J Smy RN
1979	1981	Commander Jimmy Chestnutt RN
1981	1983	Commander Charles H Buckle RN
1983	1985	Commander W Kim Howat RN

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.

External links

HMS Lowestoft Association