|
HMS York Still Leads the Way
Type 42 destroyer HMS York and the Type 23 frigate HMS
Argyll shared the distinction of being the first vessels to
undergo basic operational sea training since Flag Officer
Sea Training relocated from Portland to Plymouth.
During a busy post-refit programme the destroyer then took
part in the Joint Maritime Course international exercise off
Scotland, before heading south to Hull, her base for a visit
to her namesake city.
One of the Navy's four "stretched" Type 42s - HM
ships Edinburgh, Gloucester and Manchester being the others
- HMS York entered refit in Rosyth in January 1994 and in
the following 15 months most of her marine engineering equipments
were removed and overhauled.
All four gas turbines were replaced with refurbished units
and both main gearboxes were stripped, inspected and completely
rebuilt. They now include modified clutches incorporating
Olympus debris catchers.
The propellers and shafts were also replaced with differently-profiled
and stronger blades. Other improvements have enabled HMS York
to meet increasingly stringent regulations on sea pollution,
while a new galley suite and laundry equipments improve the
environment on board.
For the weapon engineering department the refit was equally
busy, and work carried out here has further enhanced the ship's
effectiveness. The new radars fitted were the Type 996 medium-range
target indication radar and the Type 1007 navigation radar.
The command system was modernised with the introduction of
a new computer and display system ADAWS Mod 1. A replacement
4.5in Mk 8 gun and new Sea Dart launchers were also fitted.
The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), a six-barrelled,
radar-guided Gatling gun, was upgraded with the latest version
available and 20mm GAM-BO guns replaced the aged Oerlikon
7A. The electronic warfare systems were also upgraded, with
new decoy system and jammer.
Built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear,
HMS York was launched by Lady Gosling on June 21, 1982 and
commissioned on August 9, 1985. Since then her deployments
have taken her to the Gulf, the Falkland Islands and to operations
in the Adriatic.
The increased length of HMS York and her "stretched"
sister ships has given them improved sea-keeping and endurance
over the earlier Type 42 design.
Harbour trials followed York's recent refit and once these
were completed she left Rosyth in early May to carry out sea
trials on both the propulsion and weapons systems. The majority
were completed within six weeks.
The ship held a rededication ceremony at the end of June in
Portsmouth and her sponsor, Lady Gosling, was guest of honour.
On July 21 York completed ODI - her Operational Date Inspection
- and was deemed to be operational once again.
The Type 42 forms the backbone of the Navy's anti-air warfare
forces, with its Sea Dart missile system. For shore bombardment
and surface engagements the MK 8 gun is used. Close-range
self-defence is provided by the Phalanx, augmented by the
GAM-BO guns.
For anti-submarine warfare HMS York is fitted with the Shipbourne
Torpedo Weapon System firing Stingray torpedoes.
The ship's helicopter can be used in an ASW role, armed with
torpedoes or depth charges. The Lynx can also carry the Sea
Skua air-to-surface missile for use against surface targets.
HMS York enjoys a close and active liaison with the City of
York and in 1991 was granted the Freedom of the City.
HMS York is also affiliated to the First and Third Battalions
of the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment and No. 8 Squadron RAF.
Other affiliations include "The Old Yorkies" (York
section of the RNA), and Training Ships York, Scarborough
and Jack Crawford.
During the refit members of the ship's company cycled from
Rosyth to York in aid of Galtres School for Physically and
Mentally Handicapped Children, the ship's charity, and raised
£2,500, towards a new minibus.
More Battle Honours Than There Have Been Ships of The Name
Four of HMS York's impressive tally of battle honours
were won by her predecessor in the name, a cruiser built at
Jarrow and launched in 1928.
Serving on the North American station at the outbreak of the
Second World War, she was sent to the Atlantic with the 1st
Cruiser Squadron.
After the Norwegian expedition failed, she took on convoy
duties in the Mediterranean.
In March 1941 she was hit by an Italian explosive motor boat
and was beached at Suda Bay, Crete. Further damage by air
attack caused her to be abandoned completely on May 22, 1941.
She was later towed to Bari and broken up.
First of the 11 Royal Navy vessels to bear the name York had
been built as the marston moor, but was renamed after the
Restoration.
She gave sterling service during the Dutch Wars of the late
17th century. After a spell in the Mediterranean and in the
foundling colony of Jamaica, she foundered and was wrecked
off the Shipwash in 1703.
Second ship of the name was a 60-gun vessel of 987 tons, launched
in 1706. Her service took her to the Baltic with Byng and
to the East Indies, and she took part in the defence of Gibraltar
and the attempt on Cartagena in 1741. She finished her time
as part of the Sheerness breakwater.
Launched in 1748 and armed with 12 guns, the third York was
a small tender which served with Boscawen in the East Indies.
Next came a 60-gun fourth rate of 1,203 tons, launched in
1753.
She played a key role in the bombardment and capture of Louisberg
before being dispatched to the East Indies with other reinforcements
to help in the colonial struggle with France.
She returned from the east to be broken up in 1772.
Bought and commissioned in 1777, the fifth HMS York was captured
by the French in 1778 and retaken a month later. She was lost
again at the fall of Grenada one year on.
The sixth York was a storeship and the seventh a third rate
launched in 1796.
She spent four years on the Jamaica station and on her return
to England was posted to Dover and the North Sea. There she
foundered with all hands in 1804.
Eighth in the sequence was a 74-gun third rate of 1,743 tons,
launched in 1807. She was posted to the West Indies and was
involved in the bold capture of the island stronghold of Martinique.
She continued the war in the Mediterranean Squadron off Toulon.
In 1819 she returned to Portsmouth as a prison hulk and she
was broken up in 1854.
The ninth HMS York was a merchant ship of 1,132 tons, built
in 1907.
She was commissioned into the Royal Navy to serve as an armed
boarding steamer during the First World War, when she was
armed with one 4in and two 12 pdr guns.
Lowestoft 1665
Orfordness 1666
Sole Bay 1672
Schooneveld 1673
Texel 1673
Bantry Bay 1680
Beachy Head 1700
Cartagena 1741
Louisburg 1758
Martiniqe 1809
Atlantic 1939
Norway 1940
Mediterranean 1940/41
Malta Convoys 1941
(Ship of the Month November 1995)
Join Ship of the Month and receive a new postcard sized
photograph every month!
Each month Navy News looks at a different ship, her compliment,
armoury, propulsion and her recent activities. Join the many
subscribers who have been collecting Ship of the Month since
1969. more>
|
