HMS Stalker (L3515)

HMS Stalker was a Mark III LST (Landing Ship, Tank)[1] that was built during the later part of the Second World War, and became the last steam-driven LST to be scrapped.[2] She initially entered service under the designation LST 3515, but was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1947 as HMS Stalker.

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

HMS Stalker in 2010
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Stalker
BuilderYarrows Ltd., Esquimalt
Launched16 December 1944
Commissioned1947
DecommissionedMay 1970
RenamedWas LST 3515 until 1947
ReclassifiedSubmarine support ship in 1958
Fate
  • Sold for scrapping in 2002
  • Scrapped in 2010
General characteristics
TypeLanding Ship, Tank Mk III
Tonnage
Length345.57 ft (105.33 m)
Beam53.97 ft (16.45 m)
Draught12 ft 5 in (3.78 m)
Depth11.51 ft (3.51 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 shafts
  • vertical triple expansion
  • 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers
  • 5500ihp
Speed13.5 knots (25.0 km/h)
Range1400 tons of oil
Capacity
  • 170 troops
  • 15 × 40 ton tanks or 20 x 25-ton tanks
  • 14 × 3-ton lorries
Complement118-190
Armament

The ship was built by Canadian Yarrow at Esquimalt.[3] She was completed too late to see action in the war, and eventually served in a submarine support role in Northern Ireland.[3]

Scrapping
HMS Stalker being broken up

The ship was added to the Royal Navy’s scrapping list in May 1970.[4] She was sold to Pounds of Portsmouth in 2002, arriving there to be scrapped on 10 December 2002. She was offered for preservation between 2004 and 2005, but it was confirmed in January 2006 that she would be broken up. After further discussions with heritage and preservation groups, in 2008 her bow doors were removed[2] and she was broken up in 2010 at Pounds scrap yard, a process recorded by National Historic Ships.[5]

Whilst awaiting disposal at Pounds of Portsmouth, she was used for the filming of episodes 55 & 56 of Silent Witness, as the fictitious ship Galle. The fictitious name can be seen painted on the bow in the photo above.

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to HMS Stalker (L3515).
  1. Jordan, John, ed. (2006), "Warship notes", Warship 2006, Anova Books, p. 151, ISBN 978-1-84486-089-0
  2. "HMS Stalker". The News. 8 September 2008. Retrieved 10 September 2010.
  3. "Annual Report April 2008 – March 2009" (PDF). National Historic Ships. p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
  4. "Name HMS Stalker | National Historic Ships". www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. "HMS Stalker is recorded · News · National Historic Ships". www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2 November 2010.


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