The Type 23 Frigate and 13th in the Duke class, HMS Sutherland [F81] , came into Loch Fyne at lunchtime today, 19th May, making her way north to Inveraray.
Sutherland has had a quiet enough service life to date, deployed to the Falklands after the war and taking part in major
Launched at Yarrow on the Clyde in 1996, Sutherland broke with tradition from the start, with Lady Christina Walmsley cbhristening her wiht a bottle of The Macallan single malt whisky in place of the traditional champagne.
The ship had a major refit and upgrading in December 2007, including Sonar 2087, an upgrade to Seawolf, an improvement to the 4.5 inch gun to allow it to fire long-range ammunition. She also had her stern reshaped to educe her fuel usage.At the end of March this year, 2015, HMS Sutherland completed a 13 month refit said to make her now ‘ the most advanced warship in the fleet,’has sailed for the first time after a major 13-month refit.
She sailed from HM Naval Base, Devonport on 27th March 2015 on sea trials, after being fitted with the latest equipment and radars in order to keep her world-leading ability.
Commander Stephen Anderson, the ship’s captain, said then: ‘This occasion is the most significant step yet towards HMS Sutherland’s return to the fleet after a 14-month absence for a maintenance package that will extend our in -service life considerably.
