HMS Norfolk (D21)

The fifth HMS Norfolk (D21) was laid down on 15 March 1966 by Swan Hunter and launched by Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk in November 1967. She was commissioned in March 1970. Like her predecessor she was a County-class warship, though this time she was a destroyer, rather than a cruiser, and her most potent armament was not her guns, but her missiles.

Related Topics:
15 March - 1966 - Swan Hunter - Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk - 1967 - 1970 - County-class - Destroyer - Cruiser

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In 1972 Norfolk began a refit to replace 'B' turret with four Exocet launchers. She was thus the first Royal Navy warship to be armed with the Exocet missile system. She also became the first warship to carry three independent missile systems (Exocet, Sea Cat and Sea Slug). Norfolk recommissioned in 1974. She had a displacement of 5450 tons and was quite a large ship, considering she was classified as a destroyer. She undertook numerous deployments to the Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and South Pacific Ocean.

Related Topics:
Exocet - Royal Navy - Sea Cat - Sea Slug - Indian Ocean - Mediterranean Sea - South Pacific

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In September 1979, one of the highlights of her relatively peaceful career came, when she flew the Queen's Colour in Sweden, when King Carl XVI Gustaf unveiled a plaque to commemorate Admiral James. She had an unwelcome milestone in 1979, when she became the first warship afloat to hold a Court Martial in over 10 years, during the ships visit to Freemantle, Australia. The visit itself was made to commemorate 150 years of the founding of Western Australia.

Related Topics:
1979 - Queen's Colour - Sweden - King Carl XVI Gustaf - Admiral James - Court Martial - Freemantle, Australia - Western Australia

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In September 1980, Norfolk took over the UK's commitment to Standing Naval Force Atlantic, but decommissioned in 1981 to become the Dartmouth Training Ship.

Related Topics:
1980 - UK - Standing Naval Force Atlantic - Dartmouth

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Norfolk was sold to Chile on 6 April 1982 and renamed Prat. By 2001 her missile systems were inoperable. However, Prat was taken in for rebuilding the following year. The work included removing her Seaslug launcher and the extension of her deck further aft and the installation of a larger hanger, though these latter two improvements were not to the extent of those of her sister ships Cochrane and Blanco Encalada. Prat was recommissioned in 2003 and remains in service with the Chilean Navy.

Related Topics:
Chile - 6 April - 1982 - Chilean Navy

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See HMS Norfolk for other ships of this name.

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