Facts and Figures
Launched:	June 10, 1971 by Her Majesty the Queen
Displacement:	About 4,000 tons
Length:	125 metres (410ft)
Beam:	14.3 metres (47ft)
Draught:	6.7 metres (22ft)
Armament:	One twin-engined Lynx anti-submarine helicopter with torpedoes; one twin Sea Dart medium-range surface-to-air missile launcher with surface-to-surface capability; one 4.5in automatic Mk. 8; two 20mm. Oerlikon.
Propulsion:	COGOG arrangement of Rolls-Royce Olympus gas turbines for full power; two Rolls-Royce Tyne gas turbines for cruising; reversible pitch propellers for manoeuvring; two shafts; 50,000 shp.
Speed:	Estimated maximum about 30 knots
Range:	More than 40,000 miles at 18 knots
Complement:	260

She's A Real Shiner! With Plenty of Punch
Text from Ships Of The Royal Navy No. 236
Performance, power and punch are just three of the qualities which put HMS Sheffield among the leaders of the world's fighting ships.

She is the first of six Type 42s and the first destroyer in the Royal Navy to be propelled by gas turbines alone.

And although she is less than half the size of her predecessor, she has a scientific armoury which makes her potentially more effective than a Second World War battleship.

Her electronic equipment can detect an enemy above, below or on the surface and control of an engagement.

Her Sea Dart missiles can be launched in seconds and can take on aircraft and ships as well as other missiles. The system has greater capability than any comparable one in the world.

Her 4.5in gun, for anti-aircraft and surface and shore bombardment roles, is fully automatic, fast and accurate.

In addition, her hangar will accommodate the advanced Lynx helicopter, capable of many roles, including those of seeking and attacking hostile submarines.

To deal with the complexities and speed of modern warfare the ship has two high-capacity computers with inputs from all sensors, including sonar and radar.

The computers produce an accurate, up-to-the-minute visual picture for the Operations Room, ensuring that the ship's weapons used as effectively as possible.

By using comprehensive and modern communications systems the ship is able to provide information to other ships and aircraft and to maintain the necessary flow of information to shore bases and Commands.

Although intended primarily to deploy the Sea Dart missile system for area defence, the Type 42s will have secondary roles such as the hunting and destruction of hostile submarines and surface craft and shore bombardment.

In preparing the overall design both the Royal Navy and the design staff have kept in mind the traditional peace-time roles of the Navy - policing the seas, undertaking ocean patrols, and mounting disaster relief operations.

One new feature is that the machinery and other equipment requiring overhaul can be "repaired by replacement," reducing dockyard time to a minimum.

Build by Vickers Shipbuilders at Barrow, the Sheffield was laid down on January 15, 1970, and launched by the Queen on June 10, 1971.

The ship, commanded by Capt. RJP Heath, was completed this year.

The city of Sheffield has taken a close interest in the ship and her predecessor. The ensign and Jack worn by them were gifts from the city's ladies, and wardroom silver, the ship's bell and other "trophies" were given by the city.