Appendix I 
RN SHIPS & WEAPONS
The Royal Navy deployed thirty-five of its ships to the South Atlantic during Operation ‘Corporate’, supported by fifteen Royal Fleet Auxiliary logistic supply vessels, six RFA-manned landing ships and a helicopter training ship. The warships were of fifteen different classes, some known by the lead-ship of the class, others by a Type number and others by a functional designation, and there were twelve types of RFA, some of them with names which, mislead-ingly, suggested uniformity of appearance. Even the five trawlers taken up from trade and commissioned as HM Ships were of three types. The helicopters, of which there were six types in RN and Royal Marines service, came in eight quite distinct variations, with two different Marks of Wessex and three Marks of Sea King.
The following details are provided as a basic guide to the types of ship. Fuller details are available in the many reference books published each year — highly recommended is the U.S. Naval Institute Press edition of Combat Fleets of the World by J. L. Couhat, translated by A. D. Baker III. Besides accurate and up-to-date descriptions and illustrations of warships and auxiliaries, it also lists naval aircraft, weapons and electronic equipment.
The abbreviated date following the name of each ship is that of completion for the Royal Navy; the decorations in square brackets following the names of the Commanding Officers are those awarded for service during the operations — Mentions-in-Despatches are abbreviated as ‘M-i-D’.
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
HERMES Nov 59 Captain L. E. Middleton ADC [DSO]
Displacement (tons)
23, 900 Standard
28, 700 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
| Hull | 744× 90 [227.9×27.4] |
| Flight Deck | 600×112 [182.9×34.1] |
Machinery
2 sets of geared steam turbines
76, 000shp = 26 knots (approx)
Armament
2 Seacat systems (GWS 22)
4 LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicles & Personnel)
Aircraft
| pre-‘Corporate’ | 5 Sea Harriers 9 Sea King 5 9 Sea King 4 |
| 21 May 1982 | 15 Sea Harriers 6 Harrier GR3 6 Sea King 5 2 Lynx, 1 Wessex 5 |
INVINCIBLE 1980 Captain J. J. Black MBE [DSO]
Displacement (tons)
16, 000 Standard
19, 500 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
| Hull | 678×90 [206.6×27.5] |
| Flight Deck | 590×105 [180.0×31.9] |
Machinery
4 Rolls-Royce Olympus gas turbines
112, 000shp = 29+ knots
Armament
1 Sea Dart system (GWS 30)
(14 7.62mm GP machine-guns added)
Aircraft
| pre-‘Corporate’ | 5 Sea Harriers 9 Sea King 5 |
| 21 May 1982 | 10 Sea Harriers 9 Sea King 5 1 Lynx |
GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYERS
‘County’ Class
| ANTRIM | Mar 71 | Captain B. G. Young [DSO] |
| GLAMORGAN | Oct 66 | Captain M. E. Barrow [DSO] |
Displacement (tons)
| 5, 440 | Standard |
| 6, 200 | Full Load |
Dimensions (feet [metres])
520×54(158.5×16.5]
Machinery
2 sets geared steam turbines, 2 G6 gas turbines
30, 000shp + 15, 000shp = 32.5 knots
Armament
2×4.5in (114mm) Mark 6 dual-purpose (surface/AA) guns
2×20mm Oerlikon AA guns
1 Seaslug 2 system (GWS 10)
2 Seacat systems (GWS 22)
4×MM.38 Exocet
Aircraft
1 Wessex 3
(both ships embarked, additionally, a Wessex 5 for special tasks and when the Glamorgan’s Wessex 3 was destroyed on 12 June, 1982, it was replaced by a Wessex 5)
Type 82
BRISTOL Mar 73 Captain A. Grose
Displacement (tons)
6, 100 Standard
7, 100 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
507×55 [154.6×16.8]
Machinery
2 sets geared steam turbines, 2 R-R Olympus gas turbines
30, 000shp + 44, 600shp = 28+ knots
Armament
1 × 4.5in Mark 8 dual-purpose gun
4 × 20mm AA guns
1 × Sea Dart system (GWS 30)
1 × Ikara ASW missile system
1 × three-barrelled ASW Mortar Mark 10
Type 42
| CARDIFF | Oct 79 | Captain M. G. T. Harris |
| COVENTRY | Nov 78 | Captain D. Hart-Dyke |
| EXETER | Sep 80 | Captain H. M. Balfour LVO |
| GLASGOW | May 79 | Captain A. P. Hoddinot OBE |
| SHEFFIELD | Feb 75 | Captain J. F. T. G. Salt |
Displacement (tons)
3, 150 Standard
4, 100 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
410×47[125×13.3]
Machinery
2 R-R Olympus gas turbines
54, 400 shp = 30 knots
2 R-R Tyne gas turbines
8, 200 shp = 18 knots (cruising)
Armament
1 × 4.5in Mark 8 gun
2 × 20mm AA guns
1 × Sea Dart system (GWS 30)
2 × triple ASW torpedo tubes (STWS)
Aircraft
1 Lynx
FRIGATES
Type 12
PLYMOUTH May 61 Captain D. Pentreath [DSO]
YARMOUTH Mar 60 Commander A. Morton [DSC]
Displacement (tons)
2, 380 Standard
2, 800 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
370×41(112.8×12.5]
Machinery
2 sets geared steam turbines
30, 000 shp = 28 knots
Armament
2×4.5in Mark 6 guns
2 × 20mm AA guns
1 × Seacat system (GWS 20)
1 × ASW Mortar Mark 10
Aircraft
1 Wasp
‘Batch II’ ‘Leander’ Class
| ARGONAUT | Aug 67 | Captain C. H. Layman LVO [DSO] |
| MINERVA | May 66 | Commander S. H. G. Johnston |
| PENELOPE | Oct 63 | Commander P. V. Rickard |
Displacement (tons)
2, 650 Standard
3, 200 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
372×41 [113.4×12.5]
Machinery
2 sets geared steam turbines
30, 000 shp = 28 knots
Armament
2 × 40mm Bofors AA guns
3 × Seacat systems (GWS 22)
4 × MM.38 Exocet
2 × triple ASW torpedo tubes (STWS)
Aircraft
1 Lynx
‘Batch III’ (Broad-Beam) ‘Leander’ Class
ANDROMEDA Dec 68 Captain J. L. Weatherall
Displacement (tons)
2, 640 Standard
3, 100 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
372×43 [113.4×13.1]
Machinery
as batch II ‘Leander’-class
Armament
2 × 40mm AA guns
1 × Sea Wolf system (GWS 25)
4 × MM.38 Exocet
2 × triple ASW torpedo tubes
Aircraft
1 Lynx
Type 21
| ACTIVE | Jun 77 | Commander P. C. B. Canter |
| ALACRITY | Apr 77 Commander C. J. S. Craig [DSC] | |
| AMBUSCADE | Sep 75 | Commander P. J. Mosse |
| ANTELOPE | Jul 75 | Commander N. J. Tobin [DSC] |
| ARDENT | Oct 77 | Commander A. W. J. West [DSC] |
| ARROW | Jul 76 | Commander P. J. Bootherstone [DSC] |
| AVENGER | Apr 78 | Captain H. M. White |
Displacement (tons)
2, 750 Standard
3, 250 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
384×42 [117.0×12.8]
Machinery
2 × Olympus gas turbines
50, 000 shp = 31+ knots
2 × Tyne gas turbines
8, 500 shp = 18 knots (cruising)
Armament
1 × 4.5in Mark 8 gun
2 × 20mm AA guns (3 in Avenger from June)
1 × Seacat system (GWS 24)
4 × MM.38 Exocet (not in Ambuscade, Antelope)
2 × triple ASW torpedo tubes (STWS) (only in Ambuscade, Antelope, Avenger)
Aircraft
1 Lynx (except Active — 1 Wasp)
Type 22
| BRILLIANT | Apr 81 | Captain J. F. Coward [DSO] |
| BROADSWORD | May 79 | Captain W. R. Canning [DSO] |
Displacement (tons)
3, 500 Standard
4, 400 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
430×48.5 [131.2×14.8]
Machinery
as Type 42 destroyers
Olympus = 29+ knots
Tynes = 18 knots
Armament
2 × 40mm AA guns
2 × Sea Wolf systems (GWS 25)
4 × MM. 38 Exocet
2 × triple ASW torpedo tubes (STWS)
Aircraft
2 Lynx
PATROL SUBMARINE
ONYX Nov 67 Lieutenant-Commander A. P. Johnson
Displacement (tons)
1, 610 Standard
2, 030 Full Load, Surface
2, 400 Submerged
Dimensions (feet [metres])
295×26.5 [89.9×8.11]
Machinery
2 sets of diesel-electric motors
7, 360 shp = 17.5 knots (surface)
6, 000 shp = 15 knots (submerged)
Armament
6 × 21in (533mm) bow torpedo tubes
FLEET SUBMARINES
‘Valiant’ Class
| CONQUEROR | Nov 71 | Commander C. L. Wreford-Brown [DSO] |
| COURAGEOUS | Oct 71 | Commander R. T. N. Best |
| VALIANT | Jul 66 | Commander T. M. le Marchand [M-i-D] |
Displacement (tons)
3, 500 Standard
4, 000 Full Load, Surface
4, 900 Submerged
Dimensions (feet [metres])
285×33(86.9×10.1)
Machinery
1 nuclear reactor + geared steam turbines
20, 000 shp = approximately 25 knots submerged
Armament
6 × 21in bow torpedo tubes
‘Swiftsure’ Class
| SPARTAN | Sep 79 | Commander J. B. Taylor [M-i-D] |
| SPLENDID | Mar 81 | Commander R. C. Lane-Nott [M-i-D] |
Displacement (tons)
4, 200 Full Load, Surface
4, 500 Submerged
Dimensions (feet [metres])
272×33 [82.9×10.1]
Machinery
As ‘Valiant’-class
Armament
5×21in bow torpedo tubes
AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIPS
| FEARLESS | Nov 65 | Captain E. J. S. Larken [DSO] |
| INTREPID | Mar 67 | Captain P. G. V. Dingemans [DSO] |
Displacement (tons)
11, 060 Standard
12, 120 Full Load
16, 950 Dock Flooded
Dimensions (feet [metres])
520×80 [158.5×24.4]
Machinery
2 sets geared steam turbines
22, 000 shp = 21 knots
Armament
2 × 40mm AA guns
4 × Seacat systems (GWS 20)
2 × 20mm Rheinmetall RH202 AA guns (Fearless only in early June)
Aircraft
various combinations of helicopters up to 4 Sea King
Mark 4 operated
Assault Force
1 RM Commando (650 men) + logistic elements
1 Commando Light Battery RA (6 × 105mm guns)
Vehicles
4 × Landing Craft, Utility
4 × Landing Craft, Vehicles & Personnel
Landing Craft (Utility) 1964–66
Displacement (tons)
75 Standard
176 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
84×21 (25.7×6.5)
Machinery
2 diesel engines
624 bhp = 9 knots
Armament
1 × 7.62mm GPMG
Assault Load
100 tons cargo or two tanks or 140 men
Landing Craft (Vehicles & Personnel)
Displacement (tons)
8.5 tons Empty (fuelled)
13.5 tons Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
43×10 [13.1×3.1]
Machinery
2 diesel engines
200 bhp = 9 knots
Assault Load
5 tons of cargo or one vehicle or 35 men
OFFSHORE PATROL VESSELS
DUMBARTON CASTLE Mar 82
Lieutenant-Commander N. D. Wood
LEEDS CASTLE Dec 81
Lieutenant-Commander C. F. B. Hamilton
Displacement (tons)
1, 250 Standard
1, 450 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
266×38(81×11.5)
Machinery
2 diesel engines
5, 640 bhp = 20 knots
Armament
1 × 40mm AA gun
2 × 7.62mm GPMG
SURVEY VESSELS
(employed as Ambulance Vessels)
| HECLA | Sep 65 | Captain G. L. Hope |
| HERALD | Oct 74 | Captain R. I. C. Halliday |
| HYDRA | May 66 | Commander R. J. Campbell |
Displacement (tons)
1, 915 Standard (Herald 2, 125)
2, 733 Full Load (Herald 2, 945)
Dimensions (feet [metres])
260×49 [79.25×14.94]
Machinery
3 diesel engines supplying 2 electric motors
2, 000 hp = 14 knots
Aircraft
1 Wasp (no ordnance carried)
ANTARCTIC PATROL VESSEL
ENDURANCE 1968 Captain N. J. Barker [CBE]
(ex-ANITA DAN, built 1956, purchased by Admiralty Feb 67)
Displacement (tons)
2, 640 Gross Register
3, 600 Full Load
Dimensions (feet [metres])
307×46 [93.58×14]
Machinery
1 diesel engine
3, 220 bhp = 14.5 knots
Armament
2 × 20mm AA guns
Aircraft
2 × Wasps
(1 Wessex 5 embarked mid-June)
MINESWEEPING TRAWLERS
| CORDELLA | 1973 | Lieutenant M. C. G. Holloway |
| ARNELLA | 1972 | Lieutenant R. J. Bishop |
| NORTHELLA | 1973 | Lieutenant J. P. S. Greenop |
J. Marr & Son, Hull
Tonnage
1, 238 Gross Reigster
Dimensions (feet [metres])
230×42 [70.2×12.7]
Machinery
1 diesel engine
3, 250 bhp (2, 780 bhp Farnella) = 16.5 knots
JUNELLA 1975 Lieutenant M. Rowledge
J. Marr & Son
Tonnage
1, 615 Gross Register
Dimensions (feet [metres])
217×43 [66.3×13.1]
Machinery
1 diesel engine
3, 180 bhp = 15.5 knots
PICT (1973) Lieutenant-Commander D. G. Garwood
[M-i-D]
British United Trawlers, Hull
Tonnage
1, 478 Gross Register
Dimensions (feet [metres])
230×42 [70.1×12.9]
Machinery
1 diesel engine
3, 246 bhp = 13.5 knots
GUNS
4.5in (114mm)
| Mark | 6 twin-barrelled turret 55lb High-Explosive shell (AA/Surface) 16 rounds per minute per gun (‘burst’) 12 rpm/g sustained fire 17, 500 yards (16km) max. range |
| Mark 8 | single-barrelled turret 55lb HE shell (AA/Surface) 25 rounds per minute (automatic) 22, 000 yards (20km) max. range |
40mm 60-cal. Bofors
| Marks 7 & 9 | single-barrelled power-driven mounting 2.2lb (1kg) HE shell (AA) 100–120 rounds per minute 4, 000 yards (3.6km) effective range |
20mm 65-cal. Oerlikon
| Mark 7 | single-barrelled, manually-operated mounting 4oz (120gm) HE/Incendiary/solid shot 470 rounds per minute (‘burst’) 1, 200 yards (1.1km) effective range |
SURFACE-AIR MISSILES
| Seaslug 2 | (Hawker-Siddeley Dynamics) Beam-riding radar guidance Missile weight 1,980lb (900kg) Length 19.5ft (5.9m) Solid-fuel rocket (with rocket boosters) Range 15 miles (27.6km) |
| Seacat | (Short Brothers & Harland) Optical or radar command guidance Missile weight 150lb (68kg) Length 4.75ft (1.47m) Solid-fuel rocket Range 5,000yds (4.6km) |
| (variants) | GWS 20: Visually guided GWS 22: Radar/visually guided GWS 24: TV guided |
| Sea Dart | (Hawker-Siddeley Dynamics) Semi-active radar homing Missile weight 1, 210lb (550kg) Length 14.4ft (4.4m) Ramjet motor (with rocket booster) Range (achieved in action) Low-level 11 miles (20km) High-level 34 miles (63km) |
| Sea Wolf | (British Aerospace) Radar or TV command guidance Missile Weight 180lb (82kg) Length 6.25ft (1.9m) Solid-fuel rocket Range c. 2, 700yds (2.5km) |
ANTI-SHIP MISSILES
| AS.12 | (Aerospatiale) Helicopter-launched, wire-guided Missile weight 165lb (75kg) Length 6ft (1.87m) Solid fuel rocket Range (approx) 7, 500yds (7km) |
| MM.38 Exocet | (Aerospatiale) Ship-launched, inertial mid-course guidance, active radar terminal homing Missile weight 1,540lb (700kg) Length 17ft (5.2m) Solid-fuel rocket (rocket booster) Range 20+ miles (37+km) |
| Sea Skua | (British Aerospace) Helicopter-launched, semi-active radar homing Missile weight 460lb (210kg) Length 9ft (2.8m) Solid fuel rocket Range c. 5 miles (9km) |