HMS Achilles (F12)

Career (UK)
Name:	HMS Achilles (F12)
Operator:	Royal Navy
Builder:	Yarrow Shipbuilders
Laid down:	1 December 1967
Launched:	21 November 1968
Commissioned:	9 July 1970
Decommissioned:	January 1990
Fate:	Sold to Chilean Navy
Career (Chile)
Name:	Ministro Zenteno
Namesake:	José Ignacio Zenteno
Operator:	Chilean Navy
Commissioned:	8 January 1991
Decommissioned:	August 2006
General characteristics
Class and type:	Leander class frigate

For other ships of the same name, see HMS Achilles.

HMS Achilles (F12) was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy.^[1] She was built by Yarrow at Glasgow. She was launched on 21 November 1968 and commissioned on 9 July 1970.^[2] Unlike other ships, Achilles would not undergo Exocet modernisation due to the 1981 defence review by John Nott. In 1970, Achilles deployed to the Far East where there was, at that time, a large British naval presence. She escorted a number of larger vessels while there, including Eagle.

In 1974, Achilles joined the 3rd Frigate Squadron, and later that year deployed to the Far East on a nine-month deployment as part of Task Group 317.2. The Task Group (TG) visited a number of African ports on their way to the Far East and Indian Ocean, including South Africa, a visit that caused some controversy back in the UK at the time. The TG visited a variety of ports in the Far East and took part in a number of exercises, Achilles was active as a radio relay vessel during the fall of South Vietnam.

Upon the TG's return from the Far East, they made their way around the Cape of Good Hope to South America where a large exercise with the Brazilian Navy known as, which included Ark Royal, took place. Achilles returned to the UK in June 1975. Later that year, Achilles collided with the Greek tanker Olympic Alliance while in the Dover Strait, causing a number of wounded, as well as heavy damage to Achilles bow. It was later repaired. The following year, Achilles joined the Fishery Protection Squadron during the Third Cod War with Iceland.

After her deployment during the Third Cod War, Achilles went on a number of deployments including to the Persian Gulf as well as being involved in a number of naval exercises. In 1982, Achilles deployed to the West Indies as guardship. The following year, Achilles deployed to the Falkland Islands to patrol the area in the aftermath of the Falklands War. Later that year Achilles took part in Exercise Orient Express, which took place in the Indian Ocean. She deployed to the Persian Gulf that same year.

By the late 1980s, Achilles career was coming to an end. In 1989 she joined the Dartmouth Training Squadron, and in a busy year became the first RN warship to visit East Germany as well as hosting a Dinner to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the River Plate. In January 1990, Achilles decommissioned, ending her eventful career, though only with the Royal Navy. However, the name Achilles lives on as TS Achilles, in the British Sea Cadet Corps. In Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England. Sold to Chilean Navy and served in 1991 until 2006 with the name "Ministro Zenteno".

From the year 2006 until late February 2010 was in Reserve.But, by the Earthquake and Tsunami that struck Chile on February 27, 2010, the ship was moved by the force of the sea by several nautical miles from the site in the Talcahuano Naval base, until near the coastal city of Dichato.

In March 2010, the Chilean Navy decided to sink the ship to ensure free navigation on the area where the ship aground.The mission was performed for the crew of the ship " Piloto Pardo"OPV 81,provably opening security valves and explosive charges.

The Former HMS Achilles/Zenteno was sunk in march 2010.-

External links

• Chilean Navy site
• May 1970 Photograph of Achilles
• Color Photograph of Achilles
• HMS Achilles Facebook Page

 United Kingdom

References

1. ^ http://www.paxmanhistory.org.uk/paxmanRN.htm
2. ^ http://www.armada.cl/site/unidades_navales/649.htm