Facts and Figures
Class:	Type 22 frigate, Batch 3
Pennant number:	F99
Builder:	Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow
Launched:	October 14, 1985
Commissioned:	April 23, 1988
Displacement:	4,850 tonnes
Length:	148.1 metres
Beam:	14.75 metres
Draught:	6.3 metres
Ship's company:	237
Machinery:	COGAG (Combined Gas and Gas) sytem featuring two Rolls-Royce Spey and two Tolls-Royce Tyne gas turbines
Speed:	30kts; 18kts on Tynes
Range:	4,500 miles on Tynes
Armaments:	Eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles; GWS 25 MOD3 Seawof anti-missile, anti-aircraft system; 2(4) x 30mm single-barrel guns; 4.5 inch Mk8 shore bombardment, anti-aircraft and anti ship gun; CIWS3 Goalkeeper anti-missile system; two triple STWS torpedo tubes
Sensors:	Type 1007 navigational radar; Type 967M and 968 surveillance radars; two Type 911 Seawolf tracking radars; GSA8 gun control system; Type 1010/1011 secondary surveillance radar; UAA2 eletronic surveillance system; Type 2050 and 2031 sonars
Command systems:	DFA5 Computer-assited command system; Data link system 11; Data link system 14; Intergrated communications system (ICS) 3; SCOT satellite communictions system
Countermeasures:	Four NATO SeaGnat decoy launchers
Aircraft:	Currently one SeaKing ASW helicopter, with potential for one Merlin ASW helicopter
Affiliatons:	The County of Cornwall; the City of Truro; HMS Cornwall 1939-42 Association; The Light Infantry; The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers; Cornish Royal Naval Associaiton; Redruth Families Centre; TS St Petroc, Padstow; TS Queen Charlotte, Guildford; TS Pellew, Truro; CCF at Reed's School, Cobham, Surrey

Cornish Power
Text from Ships Of The Royal Navy No. 496

Frigates were historically used as the eyes and the ears of the Royal Navy's main battle fleets, scouting ahead for signs of the enemy.

Today they maintain the watching role - but have added just about every other role as well, making them the mainstay of the modern Navy.

They type 22 frigate HMS Cornwall, the lead vessel of the Second Frigate Squadron based at Devonport, is a perfect example of this versatility and power.

The first of the later Batch 3 ships, she is equally capable of attacking targets in the air, on the surface, or beneath the sea, an is also a well-defended vessel.

Launched by the Princess of Wales in 1985, Cornwall's design and construction included several improvements as a result of lessons learned during the Falklands.

The Damage Control and Firefighting systems were improved and the design "stretched" to allow the addition of a Vickers 4.5-inch gun and teh Harpoon anti-ship missile system, making her one of the most powerful and versatile escort vessels ever built for the Royal Navy.

The raison d'etre of the ship is the Warfare Branch, which sails, navigates and fights the frigate.

Within the department are sub-specialisations, including Radar, Communicaitons and Seamanship, each with their own roles but with the added responsibility of integrating into an effective team.

At the heart of this department is the Operations Room, which gathers all the information gleaned by sensors and antennae and presents data, clarifying the tactical position for the command.

With a clear picture of events around the ship, usually aided by the additional communicaitons and sensory gear carried by the ship's aircraft - be that Lynx, SeaKing or Merlin - the Weapon Engineering department would then come into the frame.

This department keeps the ship's sensors and weapon systems at peak operational state - any faults which occur are expected to be quickly traced and rectified.

These men and women are also responsible for the stowage and safety of explosives, missiles and torpedoes - the ship may carry up to 4,500kg of explosives on board.

The engines and "hotel systems" provision is the responsibility of the Marine Engineering Department. Their primary task is to operate and maintain the COGAG engines and the 12-cylinder Paxman Valents diesel generators - both firsts for the Royal Navy.

The 57 officers and men also maintain hydraulic systems for stabilisers, hoists and winches, water supplies, incinerators, sewage systems, and air, water and fuel pipes.

Cornwall's engines develop some 38,000 shaft horsepower - the equivalent of 400 family car engines - and at their most thirsty get through some 63 gallons per mile. Total electrical power, some for megawatts, would be enough to supply 1,400 households.

Finally there is the Supply and Secretariat, looking after stores, food, administration and pay.

HMS Cornwall would normally carry stores worth some £6.5m, and in an average month the ship's company would consume 100kg of beef fillet, 20,000 tea-bags, 2,800 litres of milk, 450 chickens and 240 jumbo-sized cans of baked beans.

Her ship's company has a reputation for playing hard as well as working hard, and had provided many tough teams for the various sports fields.

The ship's operational tasks and training have taken her as far afield as the Caribbean, the Baltic, Africa and the Far East.

HMS Cornwall emerged from her first major refit - lasting a year - last spring, and following rededication in Falmouth, she acted as First Sea Lord's flagship at the 300th anniversary celebrations for the Russian Navy in St Petersburg.

In November last year she became flagship of the Standing Naval Force Atlantic, taking over from HMS Campbelton.

The ship is due back from STANAVFORLANT in May, returning to her home port of Devonport for leave and a spell of maintenance.

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