THE HISTORY OF HMS LONDON

HMS LONDON (F95) built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Scotstoun,
Yard No 1030
Last Name: REGINA MARIA (2003)
Previous Names: BLOODHOUND (intended name)
Propulsion: Gas turbine
Launched: Saturday, 27 October 1984
Built: 1987
Ship Type: Frigate
Tonnage: 4100 disp
Length: 143m
Breadth: 15m
Owner History:
Royal Navy
Romanian Navy (2003)
Status: Active - 2004

Remarks: Decommissioned from RN 11 Jun 1999.Laid up 2003
to receive refit prior to sale to Romanian Navy. Now being prepared for delivery Spring 2005. Previous update by Paul Strathdee
Photo supplied by Bruce Biddulph

Warships named HMS London have been associated with some of the most controversial episodes in British naval history, from the bungled sea battle that lost King George III his American colonies, to the shambles of Gallipoli in WW1 and the notorious decision by the Admiralty to abandon convoy PQ17 in WW2. The WW2 cruiser HMS London was also tasked with hunting down the German battleship Bismarck's supply ships, using information provided by Bletchley Park after it cracked Enigma. Post-WW2, the same HMS London made a brave attempt to rescue HMS Amethyst during the famous Yangtse Incident. The last HMS London, a Type 22 frigate, was flagship of the British fleet's task group in the Gulf War of 1991