HMS Agincourt underway
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Agincourt
NamesakeBattle of Agincourt
Ordered1943
BuilderHawthorn Leslie and Company, Hebburn[1]
Yard number664
Laid down12 December 1943
Launched29 January 1945
Completed25 June 1947
Commissioned25 June 1947
Decommissioned1972
FateBroken up 1974
General characteristics
Class and typeBattle-class destroyer
Displacement2,480 tons standard
Length379 ft (116 m)
Beam40 ft 6 in (12.34 m)
Draught
  • 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m) mean
  • 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m) maximum
PropulsionOil fired, two three-drum boilers, Parsons geared turbines, twin screws, 50,000 hp (37 MW)
Speed35.75 knots (66.21 km/h)
Complement268
Armament
Service record
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HMS Agincourt (D86) was a later or 1943 Battle-class fleet destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was named in honour of the Battle of Agincourt, fought in 1415 during the Hundred Years' War. Agincourt was built by R. & W. Hawthorn, Leslie & Company Limited on the River Tyne. She was launched on 29 January 1945 and commissioned on 25 June 1947.

Service

She joined the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, part of the Home Fleet based in the UK.[2] On 23 June 1948, Agincourt collided with the naval Motor Fishing Vessel MFV 1161, breaking off a 3 ft (0.9 m) length of deck plating from the destroyer.[2] In 1951, Agincourt became Captain (D), meaning she was the leader of the flotilla. On 14 July 1951, Agincourt was in collision with sister ship Cadiz. A 12 feet (3.7 m) length of planking was torn off from Agincourt's port side, while Cadiz's starboard anchor was damaged.[3]

In 1953 Agincourt took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.[4] In December 1954, Agincourt, along with the rest of the squadron, formerly flotilla, deployed to the Mediterranean, where she was deployed until October 1955, when the Squadron returned to home waters.[2][5] In 1956 Agincourt formed part of the Royal Navy force which took part in the Suez Crisis. In 1957, Agincourt, and the 4th Destroyer Squadron, returned to the Mediterranean.

Refit and conversion to Radar Picket

In 1959, Agincourt and three of her sister-ships underwent conversion to become radar pickets. The conversion included the addition of the Sea Cat missile and new radar, as well as newer Anti-Aircraft weaponry. In 1962, Agincourt returned to active duty and saw service in the Home and Mediterranean Fleets with a variety of squadrons.[5] On 16 November 1962 Agincourt took part in the search for a helicopter from the aircraft carrier Hermes that had ditched off St David's Head in South west Wales (and in particular, the politician Lord Windlesham who was missing after the crash), and on the next day, was refuelling at Milford Haven when she was ordered to go to the aid of the replenishment tanker Green Ranger, which was in difficulty while being towed in heavy seas off Hartland Point on the coast of Devon. By the time Agincourt reached Hartland Point, Green Ranger's towline had parted, and the tanker had run aground. Agincourt illuminated Green Ranger with searchlights while the Appledore lifeboat attempted to rescue the seven men aboard Green Ranger, until they were taken off by Breeches buoy from the shore.[6]

In 1966, Agincourt was reduced to Operational Reserve, and was subsequently placed on the disposal list in 1972. She was broken up in Sunderland in 1974.[5]

Commanding officers

FromToCaptain
19481949Captain Ralph G Swallow RN
19491950Captain Deric D E Holland RN
19511952Captain Martin J Evans RN
19521954Captain J Lee-Barber DSO RN
19541956Captain Nicholas A Copeman RN
19561957Captain Derick H F Hetherington RN
19571959Captain Erroll N Sinclair RN
19591962Under conversion
19621964Commander Elgar RN
19641964Commander D J Hallifax RN
19641966Lieutenant-Commander C Grant RN

[7]

References

  1. ↑ "HMS Agincourt (D86)". tynebuiltships.com. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 English 2008, p. 164
  3. ↑ English 2008, pp. 151, 164
  4. ↑ Souvenir Programme, Coronation Review of the Fleet, Spithead, 15th June 1953, HMSO, Gale and Polden
  5. 1 2 3 Critchley 1982, pp. 115–116
  6. ↑ "A Hectic Week-End for Agincourt". Navy News. January 1963. pp. 5, 9. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  7. ↑ Royal Navy Senior Appointments, Colin Mackie

Publications

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