HMS Russell (F97)

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

HMS Russell (F97) visiting Kiel, Germany, in 1966
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Russell
Builder	Swan Hunter, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Laid down	11 November 1953
Launched	10 December 1954
Commissioned	7 February 1957
Identification	Pennant number: F97
Fate	Broken up 1985
General characteristics
Class and type	Template:Sclass-
Displacement	1,456 tons (1,479 tonnes) full load
Length	310 ft (94 m)
Beam	33 ft (10 m)
Draught	15 ft (4.6 m)
Propulsion	Y-100 plant 2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers steam turbines on single shaft 15,000 shp (11 MW)
Speed	27 knots (50 km/h)
Range	5,200 nautical miles (9,630 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement	112
Sensors and processing systems	Radar Type 974 navigation Sonar Type 174 search Sonar Type 162 target classification Sonar Type 170 targeting
Armament	3 × 40 mm Bofors gun Mark 7 (quarterdeck mount later removed) 2 × Limbo Mark 10 anti-submarine mortars

HMS Russell was a Blackwood or Type 14-class second-rate anti-submarine frigate of the British Royal Navy.

Service

On commissioning in 1957 Russell joined the Second Frigate Squadron, based at Portland. In January 1958 she joined the Fishery protection Squadron and saw service in the Cod Wars. On 4 September 1960, ICGV Ægir, an Icelandic patrol vessel, attempted to take a British trawler off the Westfjords. The attempt was thwarted when Russell intervened, and the two vessels collided.

On 12 November 1960, V/s Þór encountered the trawler Hackness which had not stowed its nets legally. Hackness did not stop until Þór had fired two blanks and one live shell off its bow. Once again, Russell came to the rescue and its shipmaster ordered the Icelandic captain to leave the trawler alone as it was not within the 4 nmi (7.4 km) limit recognised by the British government. Þór's captain, Eiríkur Kristófersson, said that he would not do so, and ordered his men to approach the trawler with the gun manned. In response, Russell threatened to sink the Icelandic boat if it opened fire upon Hackness. More British ships then arrived and Hackness retreated.

Following a refit at Rosyth she joined the 20th Frigate Squadron based at Londonderry Port. She was also used for anti-submarine training. In 1966 she was present at Portsmouth Navy Days.

Commanding officers

From	To	Captain
1957	1957	Lieutenant Commander J S Pallot RN
1966	1966	Lieutenant-Commander M J Rogerson RN
1968	1968
1970	1970
1977	1977

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.
• Marriott, Leo (1983). Royal Navy Frigates 1945-1983. Ian Allen Ltd. ISBN 07110 1322 5.