HMS Tartar and the Cod War

The Royal Navy frigates played an active role in the so called ‘Cod Wars’, where they acted as Fishery Protection Vessels and attempted to protect British trawlers. During these operations numerous skirmishes, collisions and rammings occurred with Icelandic Gunboats.

These pictures depict the confrontation between the Icelandic Gunboat Tyr and the British Tribal Class Frigate HMS Tartar (F133) on April 1st 1976.

All photographs were kindly provided by David M. Willis. Visit his home page here.

HMS Tartar (F133) and RFA Tidespring (A75). Photograph courtesy David M. Willis.

Above: HMS Tartar (F133) rendezvous with RFA Tidespring (A75) for supplies. Photograph courtesy David M. Willis.

HMS Salisbury (F32). Photograph courtesy David M. Willis.

Above: The Icelandic Coast Guard Vessel Tyr marks HMS Salisbury (F32) during a 'Cod War' confrontation. Photograph courtesy David M. Willis.

Tartar and Tyr. Photograph courtesy David M. Willis........Tartar and Tyr. Photograph courtesy David M. Willis.

Above: (left) Tyr begins to swing her stern into HMS Tartar's bow, Tartar tries to match the turn. (right) Tyr stops turning, Tartar can't - single screw. Photographs courtesy David M. Willis.

Tartar and Tyr. Photograph courtesy David M. Willis........Tartar and Tyr. Photograph courtesy David M. Willis.

Above: (left) Tyr slows down, but Tartar can't - more mass. (right) Try and Tartar collide. Photographs courtesy David M. Willis.

Tyr. Photograph courtesy David M. Willis.

Above: Tyr's earlier attempt at swinging her stern- but she misses Tartar's bow. Photograph courtesy David M. Willis.

Tyr. Photograph courtesy David M. Willis.

Above: Tyr turns her bow towards HMS Tartar in mock threat. Photograph courtesy David M. Willis.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[Home]

© Written by Jeremy Olver. Photographs courtesy David M. Willis. First uploaded May 20th 2001. Disclaimer.