HMS Swiftsure

DESCRIPTION

Accession NumberP507Title (extended title only)Plaque - HMS SwiftsureDescriptionSmall sized plaque with raised painted stone/ceramic motif of HMS Swiftsure
DateBetween 1st July 1944 and 30th July 1946ProvenanceHMS Swiftsure was one of three Minotaur-class light cruisers built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She was laid down by Vickers Armstrong at Newcastle upon Tyne on 22 September 1941, launched on 4 February 1943 by Lady Wake-Walker and commissioned on 22 June 1944. The first of a new Minotaur class, a development of the later Colony class with extra beam and a fifth twin 4 inch turret. Swiftsure was the last Royal Navy cruiser completed during World War II and was the first British cruiser designed around the concept of an operations room and modern radar, with sensor screens and communications positioned for efficient operation. During her service in the Pacific in 1945, she proved the most efficient anti-aircraft cruiser in the fleet and was the first Royal Navy cruiser with the Type 274 lock-and-follow radar targeting system for her main armament.
HMS SWIFTSURE returned to UK from Far East for duty with the Home Fleet and served as Flagship in Cruisers Squadrons. In 1953 she was badly damaged in a collision with HM Destroyer DIAMOND and paid off in 1955 for refit and modernisation. This work was never completed for reasons of economy and possibly because of design problems. The ship was reduced to Reserve status and laid-up until placed on the Disposal List in 1962. Sold to T W Ward for demolition she arrived in tow at Inverkeithing on 17th October 1962.
Relevance to the CityThe HMS Swiftsure visited Fremantle in December 1944 and July 1946 during it’s time in the British Pacific fleet.
The photo shows HMAS Townsville and HMS Swiftsure in Fremantle Harbour in July 1946 Navy Heritage Collection, image ID NO. 01844.
The plaque is likely from the 1946 visit when the ships crew had the Fremantle Town Hall for it’s celebrations.
The trove newspaper database has articles from it’s time in Fremantle 12 Jul 1946 - ANOTHER BRITISH CRUISER. - Trove

CollectionCivic Collection

INTERNAL

LocationCivic Collection

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