SHIP'S
DATA
HMS
Hermione (F58) was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy
(RN). She was, like the rest of her class, named after a figure
of mythology. Hermione was built by Alexander Stephen and Sons,
though she was completed by Yarrow Shipbuilders. She was
launched on 26 April 1967 and commissioned on 11 July 1969.
Operational service
In 1970, Hermione deployed to the Far East and Pacific visiting
a variety of places and performing a number of duties. Hermione
became quite used to such warm climates during the 1970s. In
1977 Hermione, as leader of the 5th Frigate Squadron, took part
in the Fleet Review of the Royal Navy, in celebration of HM the
Queen's Silver Jubilee.
In January 1980, Hermione began her modernisation programme,
which included the addition of the Sea Wolf missile and the
Exocet anti-ship missile, which forced the removal of Hermione's
twin 4.5 in guns. The modernisation was completed in 1983 at
Chatham Naval Dockyard, and Hermione was the last ship to leave
when the dockyard closed. Upon the completion of her
modernisation, Hermione joined the 8th Frigate Squadron.
Hermione saw service in the Middle East, also being involved in
the so-called 'Tanker War' during the Iran–Iraq War. In 1991,
Hermione returned to the Middle East on an Armilla Patrol
deployment, but in the following year Hermione was
decommissioned and in 1997 she was sold to India for scrap.
The ship also enjoyed fame on BBC TV, through starring as "HMS
Hero" in the acclaimed drama series Warship. All members of the
crew were given "HMS Hero" cap tallies for filming purposes. The
main ship used for filming was, however, HMS Phoebe.
Commanding officers
From To Captain
1970-10 1970-12 Lt.Cdr Micheal Howitt RN
1971 Commander Robert Squires RN
1974 1975 Captain Peter Stanford RN
1975 1977 Captain Geoffrey R T Duffay RN
1977 1977 Captain J A B Thomas RN
1978 1979 Captain J B L Watson RN
1987 1989 Captain John McAnally RN
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