HMS Hardy (F54)

HMS Hardy was an anti-submarine warfare frigate of the Blackwood class or Type 14. She was named after Thomas Masterman Hardy, Captain of HMS Victory at Trafalgar. Hardy was the first Type 14 frigate built, completed on 8 December 1955, by Yarrow Shipbuilders.

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

Aerial view of Blackwood-class frigate HMS Hardy (F54). 14 July 1969 (IWM HU 129855)
HMS Hardy (F54), 14 July 1969 (IWM HU 129855)
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Hardy
NamesakeThomas Masterman Hardy
BuilderYarrow Shipbuilders
Laid down4 February 1953
Launched25 November 1953
Acquired8 December 1955
Commissioned15 December 1955
IdentificationPennant number: F54
FateSunk as target 3 July 1984
General characteristics
Class and typeBlackwood-class frigate
Displacement1,456 tons (1,479 tonnes) full load
Length310 ft (94 m)
Beam33 ft (10 m)
Draught15 ft (4.6 m)
Propulsion
  • Y-100 plant
  • 2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers
  • steam turbines on single shaft
  • 15,000 shp (11 MW)
Speed27 knots (50 km/h)
Range5,200 nautical miles (9,630 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement112
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Radar Type 974 navigation
  • Sonar Type 174 search
  • Sonar Type 162 target classification
  • Sonar Type 170 targeting
Armament

Operational Service

On commissioning Hardy served in the Third Training Squadron at Londonderry Port before transferring to the Second Training Squadron in Portland in 1957. In 1960 she underwent a major modernisation and refit, before joining the Twentieth Frigate Squadron in Londonderry Port.[1] In 1967 Hardy transferred to the Second Frigate Squadron and attended Portsmouth Navy Days.[2] The after 40 mm guns in these ships were removed early in their careers due to hull strengthening problems.

Icelandic Patrol and the First Cod War.

In January 1977, when the United Kingdom enlarged its Exclusive economic zone to 200 nautical miles (370 km), Hardy was deployed on patrols of the EEZ, protecting fishing stocks and oil fields.[3] Serving mainly in the Londonderry Port and Portland areas, Hardy attended the 1977 Silver Jubilee Fleet Review off Spithead when she was part of the 2nd Frigate Squadron.[4]

"HMS Hardy", Portsmouth Navy days, August 1982. At this time "Hardy" was the last Type 14 frigate in the reserve fleet but unlike other frigates in reserve at that time, was not refitted for the Falklands Relief Fleet, she being deemed of limited value by this time.

She paid off to the Standby Squadron in August 1977, then, after another short spell of operational service at Portland, became a stores accommodation ship in Portsmouth in October 1979.

Hardy by name and hardy by nature: she was used as a target for Exocet and Sea Skua missiles and her bow was blown off by a torpedo. Following being shelled by 4.5" rounds and receiving patterns of anti submarine mortar charges set to shallow depth, both the main portion of the ship and the separated bow section were finally sunk, by the use of 20mm cannons fired from HMS Charybdis, in the Western Approaches 3 July 1984.

References
  1. Programme, Portsmouth Navy Days, August 26, 27, 28th 1967, HMSO, p. 13
  2. Programme, Portsmouth Navy Days, August 26, 27, 28th 1967, HMSO, p. 13
  3. "Frigates on the Fish Beat". Navy News. February 1977. pp. 1, 40. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  4. Official Souvenir Programme, 1977. Silver Jubilee Fleet Review, HMSO

Publications
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