View source for HMS Loch Fada (K390)

{{short description|Frigate of the Royal Navy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
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{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= HMS Loch Fada (F390) MOD 45139853.jpg
|Ship caption=''Loch Fada'' after modernisation - note twin main gun and F390 pennant
}}
{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=United Kingdom
|Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|Ship name=HMS ''Loch Fada''
|Ship namesake=[[Loch Fada, Colonsay]]
|Ship ordered=19 January 1943
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=[[John Brown & Company]], [[Clydebank]], [[Scotland]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=6147
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=8 June 1943
|Ship launched=14 December 1943
|Ship sponsor=
|Ship christened=
|Ship completed=10 April 1944
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=April 1944
|Ship decommissioned=April 1952
}}
{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship recommissioned=June 1955
|Ship decommissioned=October 1967
|Ship in service=
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|Ship refit=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship identification=[[Pennant number]] K390/F390
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours=*Normandy 1944
*English Channel 1945
*Atlantic 1945
|Ship fate= Sold for scrapping, 1970
|Ship notes=
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}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Ship class={{Sclass2|Loch|frigate}}
|Ship tonnage=
|Ship displacement={{convert|1435|LT|t|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{Convert|307|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{Convert|38|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}
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|Ship draught={{Convert|8|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}}
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|Ship propulsion=*2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers
*2 shafts
*4-cylinder vertical [[triple expansion]] [[steam engine|reciprocating engines]], {{Convert|5500|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed= {{convert|20|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range= {{convert|9500|nmi|km|abbr=on}} at {{convert|12|kn|abbr=on}}
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|Ship complement=114
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|Ship armament=*1 × [[QF 4 inch Mk V naval gun|QF 4&nbsp;inch Mark V]] on 1 single mounting [[British ordnance terms#HA|HA]] Mk.III**
*4 × [[QF 2-pounder naval gun|QF 2-pounder]] Mk.VII on 1 quad mount Mk.VII
*4 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20&nbsp;mm Oerlikon]] A/A on 2 twin mounts Mk.V (or 2 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40&nbsp;mm Bofors]] A/A on 2 single mounts Mk.III)
*Up to 8 × 20&nbsp;mm Oerlikon A/A on single mounts Mk.III
*2 × [[Squid (weapon)|Squid]] triple barreled [[Anti-submarine mortar|A/S mortars]]
*1 rail and 2 throwers for [[depth charge]]s
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'''HMS ''Loch Fada''''' was the [[lead ship]] of the {{Sclass2|Loch|frigate}}s of the British [[Royal Navy]], built by [[John Brown & Company]] of [[Clydebank]], [[Scotland]], and named after [[Loch Fada, Colonsay|Loch Fada]] in the [[Inner Hebrides]].
The ship was laid down on 8 June 1943, launched on 14 December, and commissioned in April 1944. She was attached to Captain [[Frederic John Walker|Johnny Walker's]] [[2nd Support Group (Royal Navy)|2nd Escort Group]] which was detailed to guard the [[Western Approaches]] of the British Isles. After the war she was attached to the Londonderry Flotilla until 1952.
Recommissioned in 1955, she operated in the [[Persian Gulf]]. After a period of fishery protection after the [[Cod wars|first "Cod War"]] between Great Britain and [[Iceland]] she served in the Far East from 1962, and supported operations during the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation|Indonesian Confrontation]]. After decommissioning in 1969 she was used as a testbed in the development of [[Sea Wolf (missile)|Sea Wolf]] [[surface-to-air missile]]s, and was finally scrapped in 1970.
==Service history==
[[File:HMS Loch Fada 1944 IWM FL 14721.jpg|thumb|left|''Loch Fada'' in April 1944, around the time she was commissioned]]
[[File:HMS Loch Fada Squid launchers 1944 IWM A 26153.jpg|thumb|left|''Loch Fada''{{'}}s [[Squid (mortar)|squid]] anti-submarine launchers, 1944 (IWM)]]
===World War II===
Commissioned in April 1944 ''Loch Fada'' joined the 2nd Escort Group at [[Plymouth]] in June after [[sea trial]]s, and was deployed with the Group in anti-submarine operations during the [[Normandy landings]] ("Operation Neptune"). She took part in the sinking of the {{GS|U-333}} on 31 July, and also of {{GS|U-736||2}} and {{GS|U-385||2}} in early August. The Group was then released from anti-submarine operations and transferred to [[Derry]] to support of convoy defence in the North-West Approaches for the rest of the year.<ref name="naval-history.net">{{Cite web |url= http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-15Fr-Loch-LochFada.htm |title=HMS Loch Fada, frigate |last=Mason |first=Geoffrey B. |editor=Gordon Smith |date=2005 |work=naval-history.net |accessdate=14 March 2010}}</ref>
In January 1945 the Group was deployed in the South-Western Approaches for anti-submarine support. On 27 February ''Loch Fada'' was involved in the sinking of the [[U-boat]] {{GS|U-1018||2}} using [[depth charge]]s near [[Penzance]], [[Cornwall]]. Two hours earlier, ''U-1018'' had attacked [[Convoy#World War II|convoy]] BTC 81 about seven miles from [[Lizard Point, Cornwall]] (at {{coord|49|55|N|05|22|W}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seawaves.com/newsletters/TDIH/february/27Feb.txt|title=Today in History: 27 February|date=27 February 2008|access-date=20 February 2009|publisher=seawaves.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106185757/http://www.seawaves.com/newsletters/TDIH/february/27Feb.txt|archive-date=6 January 2009}}</ref> A [[torpedo]] hit the Norwegian freighter {{SS|Corvus}} which sank within a few minutes,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://warsailors.com/singleships/corvus.html|title=DS Corvus - Final Fate|date=30 July 2008|accessdate=20 February 2009|publisher=warsailors.com}}</ref> resulting in the death of five of the freighter's Norwegian crew, a 16-year-old British cabin boy, Thomas Boniface, and two British [[Royal Navy]] gunners, (part of the [[Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship|DEMS]] gun crew) including former professional [[association football|footballer]] [[Charlie Sillett]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://warsailors.com/singleships/corvus.html#survivors|title=DS Corvus - crew list|date=30 July 2008|accessdate=20 February 2009|publisher=warsailors.com}}</ref>
After the [[Victory in Europe Day|German surrender]] in May 1945 the Group was transferred to the [[Home Fleet]] to support of the re-occupation of [[Norway]].<ref name="naval-history.net"/>
===Londonderry, 1945&ndash;1952===
In July 1945 ''Loch Fada'' was transferred to the Anti-Submarine Flotilla for training duties, based at Derry. In December 1945 and January 1946, as part of "[[Operation Deadlight]]", she escorted German U-boats from [[Loch Ryan]] out into the North-Western Approaches where they were sunk. The ship then returned to Derry. The Anti-Submarine Flotilla was renamed the 4th Escort Flotilla in September 1946, and to the 3rd Training Flotilla in early 1949. In early 1951 she took part in the search for missing submarine {{HMS|Affray|P421|2}}. In April 1952 ''Loch Fada'' was laid up at [[Portsmouth]] in Reserve.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>
===Upgrade and Persian Gulf, 1955&ndash;1961===
''Loch Fada'' was one of seven members of her class selected for extensive modernisation in 1953. The single {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on}} gun was replaced by the ubiquitous twin {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on}} mounting [[British ordnance terms#HA/LA|HA/LA]] Mark XIX and the A/A weaponry was standardised as a single twin mounting Mark V and four single mounting Mark VII for the 40&nbsp;mm Bofors gun, with a Simple Tachymetric Director shipped for the Mark V. [[Type 277 radar]] was fitted with the new ANU antenna array.<!-- needs confirmation, taken straight from class article -->
She was recommissioned on 21 July 1955 and joined the [[Home Fleet]] for exercises and port visits. In November she sailed from [[Portsmouth]] for service in the [[Persian Gulf]] based at [[Bahrain]]. There she carried out regular patrols and visits. In March 1956 ''Loch Fada'' was diverted from her usual patrol station and sent to [[Mombasa]] to embark [[Makarios III|Archbishop Makarios]] who was taken to [[Mahé, Seychelles]], for detention because of his political activities. The ship then sailed to [[Colombo]] for a refit, before joining the [[Eastern Fleet|East Indies Squadron]] in April for exercises. The ship then visited [[Kochi, India|Cochin]], [[Mumbai|Bombay]] and [[Karachi]] before returning to the Gulf in July. In September she was relieved by {{HMS|Loch Killisport|K628|2}} and returned to Portsmouth, arriving on 8 November.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>
After a refit, ''Loch Fada'' sailed from Portsmouth on 17 May 1957, arriving back at Bahrain on 4 July. In November and December she took part in a [[CENTO]] exercise off Karachi with {{HMS|Loch Alvie|K428|2}}, the cruiser {{HMS|Gambia|48|2}}, and ships of the Indian, Pakistani, Turkish and United States navies. In 1958 she resumed her Persian Gulf duties, and in March was sent to search for the Norwegian passenger ship {{ship|MS|Skaubryn||2}} which was on fire in Indian Ocean. The ship was carrying emigrants from [[Bremerhaven]] to Australia. The ship was found abandoned, and taken in tow, and after two days handed over to the Dutch tug ''Cyclops''. ''Loch Fada'' then returned to the UK, arriving at [[Portsmouth]] on 14 May. After a refit the ship returned to Bahrain in December for the usual patrol duties. In July 1959 an inspection showed that extensive repairs were required and ''Loch Fada'' was withdrawn from service and returned to Portsmouth.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>
The ship returned to service in January 1960 attached to the [[6th Frigate Squadron (United Kingdom)|6th Frigate Squadron]]. In March and April she was deployed off Iceland on Fishery Protection duties. In June ''Loch Fada'' returned to the Persian Gulf patrol, with duties including patrolling tp stop gun running to rebels in Oman, capturing a [[dhow]] smuggling explosives, including 60 anti-tank mines on 16 July 1960. She took part in the [[CENTO]] "Exercise MIDLINK II" with warships of other nations in October and November. January 1961 saw her take part in an Amphibious Warfare "Exercise ASPEX 7" with {{HMS|Loch Fyne|K429|2}} and {{HMS|Loch Ruthven|K645|2}}, and she was then deployed for Air-Sea Rescue duties in the [[Arabian Sea]] during the Royal Flight to India by [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth]] and [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Prince Philip]]. She then cruised along the coast of [[East Africa]] calling at [[Mombasa]], [[Tanga, Tanzania|Tanga]], [[Lindi]], [[Mtwara]] and [[Dar es Salaam]], before transiting the Suez Canal in April, to take part in the commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the [[Siege of Tobruk]], providing men for the ceremonial parade, and firing a Gun Salute for [[Idris I of Libya|King Idris of Libya]]. She arrived at [[Chatham, Kent|Chatham]] in June for an extensive refit which saw the installation of a centralised air conditioning system and modernisation of her radar, weapons and communications.<ref name="naval-history.net"/><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Faeroes' storms to heat of Persian Gulf: Loch Fada Visited 15 Countries|newspaper=[[Navy News]]|date=May 1961|pages=1, 8|url= https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/196105 |accessdate=27 August 2018}}</ref>
===Eastern Fleet, 1962&ndash;1967===
''Loch Fada'' returned to service in June 1962 assigned to the 3rd Frigate Squadron of the [[Far East Fleet (United Kingdom)|Far East Fleet]]. She arrived at [[Colombo]] in October and was deployed in the Indian Ocean, calling at [[Diego Garcia]] and [[Malé]], [[Maldives]]. From December until February 1963 she was deployed off [[Borneo]] to support of military operations during the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation]] (the ''Konfrontasi''). In March and April 1963 ''Loch Fada'' was deployed for a patrol in Pacific, calling at [[Manus Island|Manus]] in the [[Admiralty Islands]], [[Suva]] in [[Fiji]], [[Phoenix Island]] and [[Guam]], before calling at [[Hong Kong]] and then several ports in Japan. She returned to Borneo in June to support military operations and on piracy patrol for the rest of the year.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>
In 1964 various patrols and exercises occupied the ship, including: "Exercise JET", a multi-national exercise in the Indian Ocean in March, and amphibious exercises with the [[Amphibious assault ship|commando carrier]] {{HMS|Centaur|R06|2}}, [[C-class destroyer (1943)|destroyer]] {{HMS|Cavendish|R15|2}} and oiler {{ship|RFA|Tidereach|A96|6}} in May. From June to August she was assigned to Gulf patrol duties before returning to Singapore. There she remained for the remainder of her active career, patrolling off Borneo, and taking part in exercises. In September 1965 she was transferred to the 26th Escort Squadron when the 3rd Frigate Flotilla disbanded, but remained stationed at Singapore, periodically refitting at [[Hong Kong]]. In May 1967 she visited Japanese ports and took part in exercises. Finally in August she sailed for the UK, arriving back at Portsmouth on 11 October 1967, and was decommissioned and laid up in Reserve.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Publications==
* {{Cite Colledge2006}}
* Marriott, Leo, 1983.  ''Royal Navy Frigates 1945-1983'', Ian Allan Ltd.  {{ISBN|07110 1322 5}}
==External links==
*[http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/230.html uboat.net : HMS ''Loch Fada'']
{{Loch class frigate}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Loch Fada (K390)}}
[[Category:1943 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Clyde]]
[[Category:Loch-class frigates|Fada (K390)]]
[[Category:World War II frigates of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Cold War frigates of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Makarios III]]