by E28 » Fri Sep 06, 2019 6:48 pm
Galatea was the only Leander from Swan Hunter with the Tyne yards managing just 5 of the 26 which saw service in the Grey Funnel Line. 13 yards constructed them which illustrates the comparative strength of British shipbuilding during the 60's but by the same token the manner in which contracts were awarded also shows the early years of decline nationally with a few of those builders going down the pan after their ships were completed.
A few of the previous images show Galatea in her early years with numerals on her funnel including 27 which was the 27th Escort Squadron whilst 1 is the 1st Frigate Squadron.
Those 26 Leanders are twice the number of frigates we currently have all being Type 23's. When Galatea commissioned in April 1964 we had over 50 frigates. Her photo in immediate preceding post under the red duster conducting trials shows how all the early ships were completed with the 2 x 40mm bofors above the hangar. She also has the well cut into the transom but did not have the VDS (Variable Depth Sonar) intended to utilise it.
Thats all folks. Sean.