HMS Minerva (F45)

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**HMS *Minerva* (F45)** was a *Leander*-class frigate of the Royal Navy. The ship commissioned in 1966 and took part in the Beira Patrol and Second Cod War during the 1970s and the Falklands War in 1982. Charles, Prince of Wales served aboard the ship in the 1970s. Between these major engagements, the frigate patrolled British territorial waters and took part in NATO and British military exercises. *Minerva* was decommissioned in 1992 and sold for scrap.

### Career

In 1968, *Minerva* deployed to the West Indies during some troubles there, operating from Bermuda. Island hopping was carried out to "show the flag". In 1970, *Minerva*, like many other British vessels including other *Leander*s, deployed on Beira Patrol, an operation designed to prevent oil from reaching the landlocked Rhodesia via Mozambique, before visiting various ports around Asia and the Pacific. The following year, *Minerva* deployed on her second Beira Patrol which proved relatively quiet.

In November 1972, the Prince of Wales joined *Minerva*. The following year, in February, *Minerva*, along with the Prince, deployed to the Caribbean. While there *Minerva* was involved in a number of exercises, including Exercise "Rum Punch" at Puerto Rico, involving British and American forces. The ship returned to the UK in November. *Minerva* then took part in the Second Cod War, in early 1973. In 1975, *Minerva* returned to the Caribbean, performing a variety of duties there.

Between December 1975 and March 1979, *Minerva* underwent modernisation, including the addition of Exocet missiles. While she was undergoing post refit trials *Minerva* suffered a starboard boiler explosion which destroyed both boiler uptakes forcing her to be towed to Chatham Dockyard for repairs. Following completion of the repairs and refit, *Minerva* became leader of the Fifth Frigate Squadron. On 15 December 1979, a 200 feet (61 m) dockyard crane at Devonport Dockyard collapsed in a storm, hitting *Minerva* and the frigate*Ambuscade*, which was berthed alongside. *Minerva*'s starboard Seacat launcher was wrecked, and her hangar damaged, while *Ambuscade* had one of her boats damaged. In 1980, *Minerva* deployed to the Mediterranean where she carried out exercises with other NATO warships. While there *Minerva* got involved in the Cold War when she shadowed *Kiev*, the nameship of a three-ship class of large aircraft carriers. Between 1978 and 1980 she was commanded by Benjamin Bathurst.

In 1981, *Minerva* was involved in further exercises in the Persian Gulf.

In 1982 during the Falklands War *Minerva* was part of the 'Bristol Group' and thus joined the war rather late, not reaching the Falkland Islands until 26 May. While there, *Minerva* performed a number of duties, including escort for other vessels. On 1 June 1982 her radar detected an Argentinian C-130 and vectored a flight of patrolling Sea Harriers towards it. The reconnaissance plane was intercepted and shot down. *Minerva* suffered no damage during her deployment during the Falklands War and she returned to Devonport in September, crowds greeting her upon her return.

In November, *Minerva* accidentally rammed the *Rothesay*-class frigate HMS *Yarmouth*. In late 1984, *Minerva* returned to the South Atlantic on a deployment that encompassed all British South Atlantic territories, a deployment which lasted into 1985. In 1986, *Minerva* completed a brief three-month deployment to the Caribbean. This was followed by BOST at Portland and JMC 863. On 12 January 1987 *Minerva* once again deployed to the South Atlantic as Falklands Guardship including a visit to South Georgia. She was relieved by HMS *Penelope* in May and returned home via the Patagonian Canal visiting Valparaíso, Chile, Lima, Peru, Panama and Florida. She returned home briefly for annual leave on 3 July before returning to sea early August on FCS duties and a further BOST. *Minerva* completed 330 sea days in this year. 1988 was a quieter affair with a short visit to the Mediterranean followed by refit in September 1988. In 1990 as part of the Dartmouth Training Group led by HMS *Bristol*, she completed deployments to the Great Lakes and a global deployment in 1990. On her return and showing her age, *Minerva* was laid up in March 1992, her long and eventful career finally coming to an end. The following year *Minerva* was sold for scrap.