HMS Chiddingfold (M37) explained

HMS Chiddingfold is a of Britain's Royal Navy. She was launched in October 1983 by her sponsor, Lady Anne Kennon, and formally entered the service of the Royal Navy in October 1984. Chiddingfold is a minehunter, and her purpose is to find and destroy mines, not only in a time of war but also in peacetime. There are about a quarter of a million mines still active from the Second World War alone and they pose a major threat to both military and civilian ships. Chiddingfold is able to enter some types of minefields without magnetic mines detonating because she is made of glass-reinforced plastic, and all fixtures within the ship are made of non-ferrous metals, keeping the ship's magnetic signature to the bare minimum.

Operational history

In January 2012, Chiddingfold began a year-long mid-life upgrade project, including the replacement of her engines, gearboxes, propellers and an upgraded thruster system; she was the first vessel of her class to undergo the refurbishment.[1]

In June 2014, Chiddingfold sailed in company with for a three-year deployment in the Persian Gulf.[2] She returned to the UK in 2017 after being relieved by sister .[3]

The long-term deployment to the Persian Gulf was renewed again in mid-2020 when Chiddingfold returned to the region, again in company with Penzance, to operate as part of 9 Mine Countermeasures Squadron from in Bahrain. In this role, crews for Chiddingfold rotate every four months.[4]

On 19 January 2024, the ship was involved in an incident in Bahrain where it collided with .[5] [6] It had previously been involved in a similar collision with HMS Penzance in 2021, also off the coast of Bahrain.[7] [8] HMS Chiddingfold was reported back in service in May 2024.[9]

Affiliations

Chiddingfold has a connection with the village of Chiddingfold, and every year they have a stall at the Chiddingfold fete. HMS Chiddingfold is also affiliated with the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers, one of the City of London's Livery Companies.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: HMS Chiddingfold Gets Two New Engines at BAE Systems' Portsmouth Yard . 13 March 2012 . Shipbuilding Tribune . 15 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120315140428/http://shipbuildingtribune.com/2012/03/13/hms-chiddingfold-gets-two-new-engines-at-bae-systems-portsmouth-yard/ . dead . 15 March 2012.
  2. Web site: HMS Chiddingfold sails for three-year deployment in the Gulf . 10 June 2014 . Royal Navy . 15 March 2019.
  3. Web site: Ledbury gears up for Gulf mission with extensive workout in Scotland . 23 March 2017 . Royal Navy . 15 March 2019.
  4. Web site: Cotterill . Tom . 10 June 2020 . Royal Navy minehunter HMS Chiddingfold departs Portsmouth for Gulf joining HMS Penzance . The News . Portsmouth, UK . 8 April 2021 .
  5. Web site: 19 January 2024. 19 January 2024. George. Allison. British minehunters collide in Gulf, damage to be assessed. UK Defence Journal.
  6. Web site: 19 January 2024. 19 January 2024. Chris. Hughes. Moment Royal Navy minehunter smashes into another British ship in embarrassing pile-up. Daily Mirror.
  7. Web site: Two Royal Navy warships collide off coast of Bahrain . . 22 January 2024 . 21 January 2024.
  8. Web site: Gulf: £100,000 Of Damage After Navy Ships Collision . Forces Network . 7 April 2021 . 22 January 2024.
  9. Web site: Royal Navy: HMS Chiddingfold back in action after shocking crash involving HMS Bangor in the Middle East . The News . Freddie . Webb . 7 May 2024 . 10 May 2024.

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