HMS Lowestoft (F103)
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 & type | Rothesay-class frigate |
| Displacement | 2,800 tons |
| Length | 370 ft (110 m) |
| Beam | 41 ft (12 m) |
| Draught | 17 ft 4 in (5.28 m) |
| Propulsion | 2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers operating at 550lb sq. in, 850 °F (454 °C) English Electric geared turbines, 2 shafts, 30000 shafts horsepower |
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
| Complement | 235 |
| Armament |
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| Aircraft carried | 1 × Wasp helicopter |
HMS Lowestoft was a Rothesay-class or Type 12M class anti-submarine frigate of the British Royal Navy. Lowestoft was reconstructed in the late 1960s to largely the same pattern as the third group of Leander-class frigates, with new radar and fire control and a hangar and pad for a Westland Wasp helicopter for longer range, anti-submarine, engagement. In the late 1970s 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.