Hecla Class Ocean Survey Vessels 

In the 1960's the need to update the Royal Navy hydrographic flotilla was officially recognised and three new Ocean Survey Ships to replace the aging Scott and Shackleton were envisaged. The three Ocean Survey ships were ordered, built and named Hecla, Hydra and Hecate. In November 1971 a fourth and improved vessel, named Herald, was ordered from Robb Caledon shipbuilders to replace the elderly survey ship Vidal.

The hull design was based on that of Discovery, a Royal Research Ship, and the Hecla class were built to commercial standards costing £1.25 million each. To help with hydrographic tasks each vessel carried two small survey craft, a launch, a land rover and a Wasp helicopter for which there was a flight deck and hanger. All four vessels had a displacement of 2,733 tons and a length of around 80 metres. Powered by Paxman Ventura diesel electric engines they had a speed of 14 knots. Bow thrusters and stablaisers gave the ships good seakeeping abilities and maneuverability. All four ships had a complement of around 118 with the commanding officer usually holding the rank of commander.

Launched by Mrs Hall, wife of the Hydrographer to the Navy, Herald served as the flagship of the Royal Navy Hydrographic Service until the entry into service of Scott in 1997. Together, the four Ocean Survey Ships formed the backbone of the hydrographic flotilla and in the Falklands Conflict (1982) Hecate served as a radar picket ship while Hydra, Herald and Hecla served as ambulance ships ferrying wounded from both sides to hospital ship Uganda. This was one of many addition roles they took on during their carrers: Herald served as South Atlantic Guard ship in 1983 and as an Ice Patrol vessel between 1991 and 1992. She has frequently served as a mine counter measures support ship during exercises and during the Persian Gulf War and in 1998 her hydrographic equipment located the wreck of the pre-dreadnought battleship Russell lost at Malta in World War One

Hydra was sold to Indonesia in 1986 and renamed 'Dewa Kembar', Hecate was paid off in 1990 and was sold for breaking up while Hecla paid off at Devonport in January 1997 and was sold to an Irish company who renamed her ‘Bligh’. By the end of her last commission she was one of the oldest ships serving in the Navy and to mark her decommissioning ships of the hydrographic squadron took part ina sail past in Plymouth Sound. Hecla was replaced in the Hydrographic Flotilla by H.M.S Scott. Only Herald remains in service and is due to be replaced by a new vessel shortly. For most of her life Herald has borne the distinctive white paint scheme of the Hydrographic flotilla. However she and the other members of the squadron were painted grey in 1998 while her pennant number changed from being 'A138' to 'H138' to emphasize her incorporation into the surface fleet .

Class Details

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© Written and researched by Jeremy Olver. Last updated 29th October 2000. Disclaimer.