HMS Chiddingfold (M37)

HMS Chiddingfold is a Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel of the British Royal Navy.

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

HMS Chiddingfold entering Portsmouth July 2013.
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Chiddingfold
Operator: Royal Navy
Builder: Vosper Thornycroft
Launched: October 1983
Sponsored by: Lady Anne Kennon
Commissioned: October 1984
Homeport: HMNB Portsmouth, Hampshire
Identification:
Motto: “Leading the Hunt”
Nickname(s): "Cheery Chid"
Status: in active service
General characteristics
Class and type: Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel
Displacement: 750 t (740 long tons; 830 short tons)[1]
Length: 60 m (196 ft 10 in)
Beam: 9.8 m (32 ft 2 in)
Draught: 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in)
Propulsion: 2 × Caterpillar C32 diesels,[2] 2 shafts
Speed: 17 kn (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Complement: 45 (6 officers & 39 ratings)
Sensors and
processing systems:		 Sonar Type 2193
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
  • SeaFox mine disposal system
  • Diver-placed explosive charges
Armament:

She was launched in October 1983 by her sponsor, Lady Anne Kennon, and formally entered the service of the Royal Navy in October 1984. Chiddingfold is a minehunter, and her purpose is to find and destroy mines, not only in a time of war but also in peacetime. There are about a quarter of a million mines still active from the Second World War alone and they pose a major threat to both military and civilian ships. Chiddingfold is able to enter some types of minefields without the mines detonating. This is because she is made of glass-reinforced plastic and all fixtures within the ship are made of non-ferrous metals, keeping the ship's magnetic signature to the bare minimum.

Operational history

In January 2012, Chiddingfold began a year-long mid-life upgrade project, including the replacement of her engines, gearboxes, propellers and an upgraded thruster system; she was the first vessel of her class to undergo the refurbishment.[2]

HMS Chiddingfold on the Clyde in 2013

In June 2014, Chiddingfold sailed in company with HMS Penzance for a three-year deployment in the Gulf.[3] She returned to the UK in 2017 after being relieved by sister Ledbury.[4] The long-term deployment to the Gulf was renewed again in 2020 when HMS Chiddingfold returned to the region with HMS Penzance to operate as part of 9 Mine Countermeasures Squadron from HMS Jufair in Bahrain. In this role, crews for HMS Chiddingfold rotate every four months. [5]

Affiliations

Chiddingfold has a connection with the village of Chiddingfold, and every year they have a stall at the Chiddingfold fete. HMS Chiddingfold is also affiliated with the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers, one of the City of London's Livery Companies.

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References
  1. "Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels - Specifications". GlobalSecurity.org. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  2. "HMS Chiddingfold Gets Two New Engines at BAE Systems' Portsmouth Yard". Shipbuilding Tribune. 13 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  3. "HMS Chiddingfold sails for three-year deployment in the Gulf". Royal Navy. 10 June 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  4. "Ledbury gears up for Gulf mission with extensive workout in Scotland". Royal Navy. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  5. https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/royal-navy-minehunter-hms-chiddingfold-departs-portsmouth-gulf-joining-hms-penzance-2880024


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