TYPE 22 BATCH 3 FRIGATE OFF SOUTH GEORGIA

HMS CHATHAM, HMS CAMPBELTOWN, HMS CORNWALL and HMS CUMBERLAND have proved to be a highly successful development of the Batch 1 Type 22 frigates which first entered service in the early 1980s. These four ships just look right! Rakish clipper bows with dashing flair, pleasing amount of worthwhile armament visible forrard, a neat bridge and trim funnel and then a good long fetch down to the flight deck and stern with some worthwhile aviation assets parked there. The right amount of sheer, and masts that don’t dominate and ruin the silhouette – altogether very attractive ships and they have proved thoroughly useful over 20 years, their enhanced communications fit and accommodation making them ideal as command ships both within RN and NATO formations. They have now all been taken out of service (2011).