The Four Naiads                                               

There have been four Royal Naval vessels to bear the name NAIAD, the first being commissioned in 1798. The name Naiad, originates from Greek mythology and are known as the daughters of Zen, the fair, young woodland water nymphs.

The Fourth [F39] - 1965-1987 | Icelandic Cod War  (1975-76)

- Built at Yarrow, Scotstoun, and first commissioned on 17th March 1965, she 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. She was de-commissioned in April 1987, renamed HulVul,and used as a static trials ship at Portsmouth 1989-90. She was 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.

The Third [F93] - 1939-1942 | Crete, Mediterranean & The Malta Convoys (1941-42)

 - 5,450 ton, Dido class light cruiser, launched in 1939. Her armaments included ten 5.25 guns, six 21" torpedo tubes and sixteen other guns. She is recorded as having given distinguished service during the World War II, 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 a single torpedo from German U-Boat 565 on 11th March 1942, whilst bearing the flag of Rear Admiral VIAN, with Captn., Guy Grantham, DSO, RN in Command. 82 members of the crew were lost, with 582 survivors.

 

The Second - 1890-1922 (picture left)
- Built in Barrow and launched in 1890. A second class protected cruiser of 3,400 tons. Carried an armament of two 6" guns, four torpedo tubes and sixteen other guns. She saw service in the Mediterranean and during World War I. Converted to a mine-layer in 1910 carrying up to 150 mines, but at the cost of reduced guns. She was eventually sold in 1922.

The First - 1797-1866 | Battle of Trafalgar (1805)
-Built at Limehouse on the Thames, by Hall and Co., and commissioned in 1798, she was a fifth-rate ship of 1,020 tons. Naiad had thirty-eight 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 French and Spanish. 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.