HMS Minerva (F45)

HMS Minerva (F45) was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy. She was built by Vickers Armstrong. She was launched on 19 December 1964, and commissioned on 14 May 1966.

In 1968, Minerva deployed to the West Indies during some troubles there, operating from Bermuda. Island hopping was carried to show the"flag". In 1970, Minerva, like many other British vessels including other Leanders, deployed on Beira Patrol, an operation designed to prevent oil from reaching the landlocked Rhodesia via Mozambique, before visiting various ports around Asia and the Pacific. The following year, Minerva deployed on her second Beira Patrol which proved relatively quiet.

In November 1972, the Prince of Wales joined Minerva. The following year, in February, Minerva, along with the Prince, deployed to the Caribbean. While there Minerva was involved in a number of exercises, including Exercise "Rum Punch" at Puerto Rico, involving British and American forces. The ship returned to the UK in November.

In 1975, Minerva returned to the Caribbean, performing a variety of duties there. Between December 1975 and March 1979, Minerva underwent modernisation, including the addition of Exocet missiles. While she was undergoing post refit trials Minerva suffered a Stbd boiler explosion which destroyed both boiler uptakes forcing her to be towed to Chatham Dockyard for repairs. In December the following year, a dockyard crane smashed into Minerva during a storm, causing damage to the ship's superstructure. In 1980, Minerva deployed to the Mediterranean where she carried out exercises with other NATO warships. While there Minerva got involved in the Cold War when she shadowed the Kiev, the nameship of a three-ship class of large aircraft carriers. In 1981, Minerva was involved in further exercises in the Persian Gulf.

In 1982 during the Falklands War Minerva was part of the 'Bristol Group' and thus joined the war rather late, not reaching the Falkland Islands until the 26 May. While there, Minerva performed a number of duties, including escort for other vessels. She suffered no damage during her deployment during the Falklands War. She returned to Devonport in September, crowds greeting her upon her return.

In November, Minerva accidentally rammed the Rothesay-class frigate Yarmouth. In late 1984, Minerva returned to the South Atlantic on a deployment that encompassed all British South Atlantic territories, a deployment which lasted into 1985. She continued service throughout the rest of the 1980s, seeing much of the world, including being involved in a number of exercises with NATO allies and acting as patrol ship in a number of deployments. By the early 1990s, Minerva's age was showing, and in March 1992, her long and eventful career came to an end. The following year Minerva was sold for scrap.

Publications

 * Marriot, Leo, 1983. Royal Navy Frigates 1945-1983, Ian Allen Ltd, Surrey. ISBN 0 7710 1322 5
 * Marriot, Leo, 1983. Royal Navy Frigates 1945-1983, Ian Allen Ltd, Surrey. ISBN 0 7710 1322 5