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 HMS
NAIAD - F39
There have been four
Royal Naval vessels to bear the name NAIAD, the
first being commissioned in 1798. Naiad's are the
daughters of Zen's, the fair, young woodland water
nymphs of Greek mythology.
The Forth:
Ships pennant - F39. Built at Yarrow and first
commissioned on 17th March 1965. Spent the first 7
years of service as a standard Leander Class Frigate
and underwent a major conversion re-fit in 1972.
This saw the removal of the twin 4.5 " gun, to be
replaced by the ASW (anti-submarine warfare) IKARA
missile launcher, forward of the bridge. Also
equipped with Limbo ASW mortars, Seacat air defence
missiles and Wasp helicopter.
De-commissioned in
April 1987 and used as a static trials ship at
Portsmouth 1989/90. Sunk during a weapons testing
trial on 28th September 1990.
Between 1965 and
1978 Naiad steamed 337,407 miles and visited ports
all around the world.
Any updated figures
are welcomed.
The Third:
Ships pennant - F 93. 5,450 ton - Dido class light
Cruiser, launched in 1939. 10 x 5.25 guns. 16 x
other guns. 6 x 21" Tubes.
Gave distinguished service during the last war,
particularly in the Mediterranean, including the
defence of the Malta Convoys, the evacuation of
Crete and bombardments of North Africa. Sunk in the
eastern Mediterranean near Egypt (32º01'N, 26º20'E),
by 1 torpedo from German U-Boat 565 on 11th March
1942, whilst bearing the flag of Rear Admiral VIAN,
with Captain Guy Grantham, DSO, RN in Command. 82
members of the crew were lost, with 582 survivors.
The Second:
Built in Barrow and launched in 1890. A second class
protected Cruiser of 3,400 tons. Carried an
armourment of 2 x 6" Guns, 16 x other guns & 4 x
Torpedo Tubes. She saw service in the Mediterranean
and the 1914 - 1918 war. Converted to a minelayer in
1910 carrying up to 150 mines, but at the cost of
reduced guns. She was eventually sold in 1922.
The First:
5th rate ship of 1,020 Tons, built at Limehouse on
the Thames by Hall and Co. in 1797, commissioned in
1798. NAIAD had 38 Guns with a crew of 284 men. One
of the earliest types of man-of-war to be classed a
Frigate. Remained in service for 69 years and saw
considerable action during the Napoleonic Wars
against both the Spanish and French. NAIAD fought at
Trafalgar and ended her service in 1866, when she
was sold to the Pacific Steam Navigation Company and
was eventually broken up in 1898. NAIAD was the
longest surviving ship from Trafalgar, apart from
HMS Victory.
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HMS NAIAD
Battle Honours
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Trafalgar
1805
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Crete
1941
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Mediterranean
1941
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Malta
Convoys 1941 -
1942
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