Graham Kelsey's Memories of HMS Lowestoft
Graham Kelsey recalls life on the Rothesay Class Type 12 Frigate HMS Lowestoft. Photographs are provided by Graham Kelsey, "courtesy of Pusser of HMS Lowestoft and HMS Intrepid".
Above: An aerial shot of HMS Lowestoft. This photograph gives a good view of her helicopter flight deck and hanger, which distinguished the Rothesay Class Frigates from the earlier Whitby Class. Thanks to Graham Kelsey for providing this photograph.
Lowestoft's involvement with Vietnam.....
"I served on her from 1974 to 1977 as a RO(T) and was aboard during the Far East deployment. We were enroute from Hong Kong to Singapore when Saigon fell and the refugees were all trying to get out of the country. We decked every available area of the ship with Jacks and were overflown a number of times by Migs. The refugees were multi national and were moving up and down the coast, as we went north they would go south and so on for four days, at the time the ship was all prepared for bringing them on board ie extra food etc. We were in constant radio contact with shore but could not arrange a rv. In the end we were down to four tons of fuel and had to do a RAS static. We never took any refugees on board but the incident was cause for big discussion in Parliament"
....and with the Cod Wars....
"As for the Cod War incident with Thor, I remember it well, it was our bloody mess it hit."
Above: The Rothesay Class 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. In this photograph the Icelandic Gunboat Thor (right), is seen ramming HMS Lowestoft (left). Thanks to Graham Kelsey for providing this photograph.
....exercises with Intrepid....
"The silhouette photo and the one from the starboard were taken on sea trials following refit and were taken in Torbay. We had attached the Dressing Ship lines but for some reason the aft line was attached directly to the Ensign Staff, needless to say it could not take the weight and promptly snapped, hence the Ensign on the mainmast. We only made that mistake once, ignorance was bliss, none of us had ever dressed ship on either of the assault ships before"
Above: This superb photograph of Amphibious Assault Ship HMS Intrepid gives a good impression of her stern ramp. When this is lowered, her aft section is flooded with water, thereby allowing small amphibious craft to sail out. Thanks to Graham Kelsey for providing this photograph.
Above: A silhouette of Amphibious Assault Ship HMS Intrepid in Torbay. Thanks to Graham Kelsey for providing this photograph.
Lowestoft was sunk as a target on June 8th 1986 by Mk24 Tigerfish torpedo fired from Churchill Class nuclear submarine Conqueror. See Sinking the Type 12 Frigates.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
© Written and researched by Jeremy Olver. irst uploaded 9th January 2001. Last updated 9th January 2001. Disclaimer.