Accession NumberP368Title (extended title only)HMS EskimoDescriptionRoyal Navy Plaque – HMS Eskimo (F119) – Gifted to the City of Fremantle 6 May 1971. The small plaque features a wooden base with a painted clay piece that has fallen off and broken. The clay piece is of the badge used by the HMS Eskimo. It features a cream and grey coloured deer with red eyes in the middle of a blue circle. Surrounding the circle is a golden knot with the word “ESKIMO” at the top. The top of the piece features the naval crown which has since broken off. Due to the piece having fallen off dried glue is visible on the wooden base. The back of the plaque has a wall hanger and a sticker labelled “ESKIMO COMMANDER C. E. T. 6/5/1971”.Date6th May 1971ProvenanceThe HMS Eskimo (F119) was a Tribal-class frigate used by the Royal Navy, the UK naval force. A World War II Tribal-class destroyer was also named HMS Eskimo (F75) but was scrapped 27 June 1949, 11 years after building was completed on 30 December 1938. The second HMS Eskimo (F119) was laid down 22 October 1958 by Crowes-based shipbuilding company J. Samuel White. The roots of the company go back to 1763 but it was officially established and named in 1815. In 1981 the company became defunct. The ship was launched 20 March 1961 and commissioned 21 February 1963 then being decommissioned during August 1980 and later scrapped in 1992. The plaque was gifted 6 May 1971. The Commanding Officer during the visit was Commander C. E. T. Baker. His tenure as Commanding Officer is unclear as is the respective tour the ship was undertaking while it visited. The mayor of the City of Fremantle at this time was Sir Frederick Samson, who held office from 1951-1972.Relevance to the CityShows the long association Fremantle has with the Royal Navy
