HMS Warspite (S103)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Warspite.

HMS Warspite
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Warspite
Ordered	12 December 1962
Builder	Vickers-Armstrongs
Laid down	10 December 1963
Launched	25 September 1965
Commissioned	18 April 1967
Decommissioned	1991
Honours and awards	25 inherited honours
Fate	In storage, awaiting disposal
Badge
General characteristics
Class and type	Valiant-class submarine
Displacement	4,200 long tons (4,300 t) surfaced 4,900 long tons (5,000 t) submerged
Length	285 ft (87 m)
Beam	33 ft 3 in (10.13 m)
Draught	27 ft (8.2 m)
Propulsion	1 × Rolls-Royce pressurised water reactor 2 × English Electric steam turbines, 15,000 hp (11 MW) 1 × Paxman diesel-electric generator 1 shaft
Speed	20 knots (23 mph; 37 km/h) surfaced 28 knots (32 mph; 52 km/h) submerged
Range	Unlimited, except by food supplies
Complement	116
Armament	6 × 21 inch (533 mm) bow torpedo tubes 24 torpedoes Later equipped with: RNSH UGM-84 Harpoon (RN version of underwater launched cruise missile) Tigerfish torpedoes Main Sonar system 2001

The latest HMS Warspite was the third of Britain's nuclear-powered submarines, and the second (and final) of the Valiant class. After entering service in 1967 she collided with a Soviet submarine the following year. A mechanical failure associated with the submarine's nuclear reactor in 1991 led to the boat being laid up at HMNB Devonport where she awaits disposal.

Operational history

The second Valiant-class submarine, to be called Warspite, was ordered from Vickers-Armstrong's Barrow shipyard on 12 December 1962, and was laid down on 10 December 1963. ^[1] She was launched on 25 September 1965 ^[1] by Mary Wilson, the wife of the then British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, ^[2] and entered service on 18 April 1967. ^[1]

In October 1968 whilst following a Soviet boat identified as an Echo II-class submarine, Warspite collided with the stern and propellers of that boat. Warspite suffered damage to her fin but after surfacing to inspect damage was able to submerge and return home, and later sail to Barrow for proper repairs. ^[3] On 2 May 1976, Warspite was alongside in Liverpool, when she suffered a fire in her diesel generator room, in one of the most serious incidents the Royal Navy's nuclear submarines have encountered. The fire filled the aft end of the submarine with dense smoke, making it very difficult for the submarine's crew to monitor the status of the reactor, and Warspite's commanding officer considered scuttling the submarine in the event that a reactor accident did develop. The fire was eventually extinguished with the aid of civilian firefighters from the Liverpool Fire Brigade after 41⁄2 hours. The submarine's Marine Engineering Officer, Lieutenant Commander Tim Cannon, was one of three crew members awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal for their roles in the response to the fire. A further three crew members were awarded Queens Commendations for Brave Conduct ^{[4] [5]}

Warspite (left) and Conqueror (centre) with Valiant (at rear) at Devonport Navy Days on 26 August 2006

Warspite underwent a two-year refit, which was nearing completion just as the Falklands War with Argentina started. After the war ended she carried out a record breaking patrol around the Falkland Islands and the Argentine coast. ^[6] Warspite conducted the longest duration submerged submarine patrol made public from the dates of 25 November 1982 to 15 March 1983. A total of 111 days was spent submerged and unsupported, covering 57,085 km (30,823 nmi; 35,471 mi). ^[7]

The submarine was decommissioned due to mechanical failure associated with the reactor in 1991. Mainly operated out of HMNB Clyde, at Faslane (the former Clyde Submarine Base) with the Third Submarine Squadron. Her hull and reactor are currently laid up afloat at Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth until facilities are available for the long-term storage of her radioactive components.

Notable commanders of this vessel include Sandy Woodward. ^[6] Woodward went on to command the Falklands Conflict battle group, became Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and rose to the rank of admiral.

Appearances in media

HMS Warspite was joined by a BBC film crew during NATO military exercise 'Ocean Safari' in 1984. They documented the submarine's role in the exercise as an enemy submarine, offering a detailed view of life on board for its crew. The program was broadcast on BBC One in January 1985, as part of a six-film series documenting the Royal Navy Submarine Service. ^[8]

References

1. Blackman 1971, p. 336.
2. "Mrs Wilson Launches H.M.S. Warspite". Navy News . October 1965. p. 8. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
3. Ballantyne, Iain (2013). Hunter Killers. London: Orion. pp. 139–145. ISBN   9781409144182.
4. Hennessey and Jinks 2016, pp. 358–359.
5. "Warspite Blaze Awards". Navy News . February 1977. p. 31. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
6. Ballantyne, Iain (2001). Warspite Warships of the Royal Navy. Pen & Sword Books Ltd. pp. 206–207. ISBN   0-85052-779-1.
7. "Longest submarine patrol". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
8. "BBC Programme Index". genome.ch.bbc.co.uk. 21 January 1985. Retrieved 7 November 2023.

Publications

• Ballantyne, Iain (2014). Hunter Killers: The Dramatic Untold Story of the Royal Navy's Most Secret Service. London: Orion. ISBN   978-1-4091-3901-0.
• Blackman, Raymond V.B. Jane's Fighting Ships 1971–72. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd. ISBN   0-354-00096-9.
• Hennesey, Peter; Jinks, James (2016). The Silent Deep: The Royal Navy Submarine Service since 1945. Penguin. ISBN   978-0-241-95948-0.
• Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen, eds. (1995). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press. ISBN   1-55750-132-7.