HMS Lowestoft (F103)
1961-1985
Timeline
| Date | |
|---|---|
| Jun 19, 1958 | |
| Jun 23, 1960 | |
| Sep 26, 1961 | |
| Mar 17, 1962 | left Chatham for 5 month deployment to Mediterranean and West Indies, returning on 10 Aug. |
| Mar 13, 1963 | underwent maintenance and repair at Chatham until 24 May, following a 2 month deployment to USA. |
| Aug 1963 | departed for a 9 month Mediterranean deployment until 22 May 1964. |
| Sep 4, 1964 | collided with HMS Lion (C34) on the approaches to the Forth Bridge, damaging her fo c sle. |
| Sep 1965 |  Aden Harbour Departed Malta escorting HMS Eagle in assisting with deteriorating security situation in Aden, with RFA Tidesurge and RFA Reliant, arriving off Aden on 1 Oct. |
| Mar 4, 1966 | Mozambique Channel first British warship off Mozambique, to enforce UN sanctions against Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Beira Patrol |
| May 31, 1966 | to Cherbourg, until 3 Jun 1966 |
| Aug 29, 1967 | until May 1970 at HMD Chatham to fit Seacat, upgrade electronics and equip for Wasp operations Ready for Wasp Sea Cat |
| Mar 1970 | assigned 829 NSA Wasp HAS.1 XT443 as Lowestoft Flt/451 until damaged in deck landing 17 Feb 1971 |
| Jan 15, 1971 | assigned to STANVFORLANT until Apr 1971. |
| Mar 1971 | assigned 829 Sq Wasp XT420/451-LO until c Apr 1972 |
| Jun 15, 1971 | left Portsmouth for a 5 month West Indies and USA deployment, returning to Chatham on 24 Nov. |
| Mar 1972 | Left HMNB Chatham for Far East deployment, returning 14 Nov 1972 |
| Apr 25, 1972 | Mozambique Channel relieved HMS Arethusa for a one month patrol. Was relieved by HMS Cleopatra on 22 May 1972. Beira Beira Patrol |
| Jun 1972 |  Gan assigned 829 NAS Wasp HAS.1 XS528/451 until c Jun 1973. Joined ship after being flown out to RAF Gan. Airfreight |
| Apr 30, 1973 | Refit at HMD Gibraltar until 19 Oct 1973. |
| Sep 17, 1974 | departed HMNB Portsmouth to join Task Group 317.2 for Far East deployment, joining with HMS Achilles, HMS Diomede, HMS Falmouth, HMS Leander, HMS Blake, RFA Green Rover, RFA Olna and RFA Stromness, returned Jun 1975. |
| Oct 14, 1974 |  Simon Town Naval Dockyard Visited Simonstown en route Far East deployment, in company with other ships from Task Group 317.2, until 21 Oct. |
| Mar 1975 | Ordered to coast off South Vietnam from a Far East group deployment, to assist in evacuation of British and Commonwealth citizens. Operation Stella |
| Oct 11, 1976 | until Sep 1977 at HMD Portsmouth to re-equip as Trials and Training Ship. Lowestoft distinguished herself with trials of the Type 2031 sonar. towed array sonar Type 2031 |
| Apr 1982 | Ascension Island guardship during Falklands campaign, until Jun 1982 |
| Jul 1983 | assigned 829 NAS Wasp HAS.1 XS538/451 until damaged in a landing accident 29 Oct 1984. |
| Feb 1985 | short term assignment of 829 NAS Wasp HAS.1 XS527/451 |
| Mar 29, 1985 | at South Railway Jetty, HMNB Portsmouth |
| Jun 8, 1986 | expended as fleet target off the Bahamas by submarine launched torpedo |