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HMS Chiddingfold (M37)

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HMS Chiddingfold at sea in 2010.
HMS Chiddingfold at sea in 2010.
History
RN EnsignUK
NameHMS Chiddingfold (M37)
OperatorRoyal Navy
BuilderVosper Thornycroft
LaunchedOctober 1983
Sponsored byLady Anne Kennon
CommissionedOctober 1984
HomeportHMNB Portsmouth, Hampshire
Nickname(s)"Cheery Child"
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class and typeHunt class MCMV
Displacement750 tons
Length60 m
Beam9.8 m
Draught2.2 m
Propulsion2 shaft Napier Deltic diesel, 3,540 shp
Speed17 knots
Complement45 (6 officers & 39 ratings)
Sensors and
processing systems
Sonar Type 2193
Armament
  • 30mm automatic small calibre gun
  • 2x Mk44 minigun
  • 3x 7.62mm general purpose machine guns
  • SA80 rifles
  • Seafox MDS
  • Diver placed explosive charges
Noteslist error: <br /> list (help)
Mine counter measures equipment:
SeaFox Mine Disposal System
MS 14 Magnetic loop
Sperry MSSA Acoustic generator
K8 Oropesa sweeps

HMS Chiddingfold (M37) is a Hunt-class mine countermeasure vessel (MCMV) of the British Royal Navy.

She was launched in October 1983 by her sponsor, Lady Anne Kennon, and formally entered the service of the Royal Navy in October 1984. HMS Chiddingfold is a minehunter, hence her purpose is to find and destroy mines, not only in a time of war but also in peacetime. There are about a quarter of a million mines still active from the Second World War alone and they pose a major threat to both military and civilian ships. The commanding officer of HMS Chiddingfold is Lieutenant Commander Mark Thompson. HMS Chiddingfold is able to enter some types of minefields without the mines detonating. This is because she is made of Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) and all fixtures within the ship are made of non-ferrous metals, keeping the ship's magnetic signature to the bare minimum.

Affiliations

HMS Chiddingfold has a connection with the small village of Chiddingfold, every year they have a stall at the Chiddingfold fete.