HMS Andromeda (F57)

HMS Andromeda was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy. She was built at HM Dockyard Portsmouth, the last ship to be built there. She was launched on 24 May 1967 and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 2 December 1968. She took part in the Falklands War and was sold to India in 1995, being renamed INS Krishna. She was finally decommissioned in May 2012.

Beira Patrol
In 1970, while on Beira Patrol, a deployment that was used to prevent oil reaching Rhodesia via Mozambique, Andromeda was the first to reach the site of the sunk tanker RFA Ennerdale, also on Beira Patrol, who had struck an uncharted pinnacle of rock off the Seychelles. The wreck was later destroyed by explosives. Later that year, Andromeda took part in a large operation when a Liberian tanker, known as Pacific Glory, ran aground near the Isle of Wight, after a collision with another tanker. In 1971 she was present at Portsmouth Navy Days.

Cod Wars
In 1973, Andromeda took part in the Second Cod War, patrolling to intervene in case of interference on British fishing by Icelandic vessels. During the conflict, Andromeda was rammed by the Icelandic gunboat Odin. The following year, Andromeda, as well as other RN vessels, including her sister ship, HMS Argonaut (F56), had to evacuate British civilians from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus after Turkey had invaded it. In December 1975, Andromeda took part in the Third Cod War, during which she collided with the Icelandic gunboat Tyr. In early January the following year, Andromeda was rammed by Thor, another gunboat; both ships were damaged.

Falklands War
In 1977, Andromeda took part in the Fleet Review of the Royal Navy, during the Silver Jubilee celebrations for HM the Queen. Between 1978–80, Andromeda underwent modernisation, including the addition of the Exocet and SeaWolf missiles. She joined the Falklands War in 1982, rather late. As part of 'Bristol Group', did not arrive in the Falklands until the 26 May. She mainly performed escort duties, and suffered no damage during the war. Andromeda departed the South Atlantic in August, returning to the UK in September where jubilant crowds greeted her.

Varied duties
In the subsequent years of the 1980s, Andromeda performed a number of varied duties, thankfully all peaceful, patrolling the Persian Gulf on Armilla Patrol, and deployments to the Falklands and West Indies. In late summer of 1984, Andromeda docked at Baltimore Harbor in the USA for 10 days, on her way from the Falklands back home to England.

Sale
Between 1990–91, Andromeda underwent a refit. She was decommissioned two-years later. Andromeda was sold to the Indian Navy in 1995, where she was commissioned as the training ship, INS Krishna. Her armament had been reduced to two Bofors 40 mm guns and Oerlikon 20 mm cannons.

Fate
Krishna was decommissioned on 24 May 2012 at Mumbai, 44 years to the day after her launch.

Publications

 * Marriot, Leo, 1983. Royal Navy Frigates 1945–1983, Ian Allen Ltd, Surrey. ISBN 0 7110 1322 5
 * Marriot, Leo, 1983. Royal Navy Frigates 1945–1983, Ian Allen Ltd, Surrey. ISBN 0 7110 1322 5