L10 LPD
Fearless was the first purpose built LPD used by the Royal Navy. Built in Belfast at the Harland and Wolff yard, she was launched in 1963 before undergoing trials and commissioning in 1965.
Following commissioning, her first operational tasking was acting as a command platform for British Counter-Terrorism operations in Aden, operating Royal Air Force aircraft and the Irish Guards prior to the British withdrawal as Flag of a 25 platform task group. Following the Aden experiences, in 1968, she was the venue for talks between Harold Wilson and Ian Smith over the future of Rhodesia. The latter had unilaterally declared independence(UDI) from Britain due to Britain's insistence on the removal of white minority rule.
Fearless featured in the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me as the ship which picks up Bond's escape pod.
As one of the vessels committed to Operation Corporate, the 1982 Falklands War, Fearless, fitted with modern satellite communications equipment, hosted the staff of the amphibious force commander Commodore Amphibious Warfare (COMAW), Commodore Michael Clapp and Commanding Officer 3 Commando Brigade, Brigadier Julian Thompson and his staff, as well as elements of the landing force.
She was placed out of commission for three years in 1985 prior to a two year refit at Devonport, and recommissioning in 1991. During this refit her 1940's vintage 40mm Bofors cannons and 1960's vintage Sea Cat anti-aircraft missile launchers were replaced by 20 mm BMARC and Phalanx CIWS guns.
From 1991 until 1995 she supported the sea training phase of initial officer training, undertaken at Britannia Royal Naval College, as part of the Dartmouth Training Squadron.
She was due to undertake an operation in the Gulf but that was handed to HMS Ocean in 2000. Her last major duty was to take part in amphibious exercises shortly before decommissioning.
Officially designated as 'LPDs'- Landing Platform Docks - these vessels were principally designed to support Royal Marine Commandos on Amphibious Operations by transporting and landing troops and equipment. The design of these two ships was based on the American Raleigh Class. During the Cold War they were tasked with supporting NATO's Northern Flank (Northern Norway) in the event of war with the Soviet Union. As the Navy's principle amphibious assets they could also act as a headquarters for an amphibious task group, a role put to use in the 1982 Falklands War, when Fearless hosted the Commodore Amphibious Task Group and his staff. In the mid to late 1980's the two vessels rotated the role of Dartmouth Training ship providing cadets from the Britannia Royal Naval College, with initial sea training and experience and were fully equipped with class rooms and teaching resources.
The Fearless Class LPDs are truly amphibious vessels. Vehicles drive onto the landing craft in the ship's internal dock from three vehicle decks, the main deck capable of carrying main battle tanks. When ready for amphibious operations 3,000 tons of Sea Water is pumped into ballast tanks at the stern of the vessel, lowering the stern by three metres. The stern door can then be opened, flooding the aft with water and allowing the four Landing Craft Utilities (LCU) and other small vessels to sail in and out of the vessel. The LCUs can carry up to 100 tons of equipment and are stored in the dock. Four smaller Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel (LCVP) are carried on davits, two either side of the superstructure from which they can be lowered into the water. The LCVPs can carry up to 30 men or alternatively two land rover vehicles.
Troops can also be ferried ashore by helicopters and for this purpose the ships have a flight decks measuring 23 metres by 51 metres, capable of supporting most helicopters. During the Falklands Conflict (1982) a Sea Harrier was successfully landed aboard both vessels.
Fearless and Intrepid can transport a range of vehicles and military equipment which is stored on three internal vehicle decks reached by ramps which allow access to the flight deck, or from the dock. Track laying and Combat Tractors along with Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicles (BARV) are always carried but depending on the type of mission tanks, artillery, armoured vehicles, specialist snow, beach or desert craft can be accommodated. In the absence of equipment and vehicles the deck can also be used to transport extra troops or helicopters and similarly in the absence of aircraft the flight deck can also be used to transport vehicles and equipment. Accommodation is provided for 400 marines or in extreme cases up to 700 providing the vehicle deck and corridors are utilised. Both ships are capable of coordinating amphibious landings and exercises and have command and control facilities for a naval task force commander and his staff including an Assault Operations Command Centre.
Launched by Lady Hull. Involved in counter terrorist operations in Aden during 1966 and landed the Irish Guards in RAF helicopters. Fearless was part of a 25 ship strong fleet sent to Aden in 1967 and was the command ship for co-ordinating the withdrawal. In 1968 Fearless was the venue for talks between Harold Wilson and the Rhodesian government. In 1971 she played a major role in the East Pakistan flood relief operations. Fearless became a film star in 1976 when she appeared in the final scenes and closing credits of the tenth James Bond film 'The Spy Who Love Me'. During the filming she had been diverted to the aid of a Greek Cargo ship ablaze and in trouble. During the Falklands Conflict, one of Fearless landing ships was destroyed. General Menedez was held as a prisoner of war onboard. Upon the re-commissioning of Intrepid in 1985, Fearless decommissioned and was laid up in reserve at Portsmouth Dockyard for three years after which she began a two year £50 million refit at Devonport finally re-commissioning in 1991. In 1999 Fearless joined LPH Ocean in Exercise Argonaut.
The following is a text of a message sent by HMS Fearless at the end of the Falklands Conflict for press release.
Fearless returns Triumphant.
After 100 days at sea HMS Fearless returns triumphant from the Falklands.
The 13000 ton assault ship sailed from Portsmouth on April 6 after feverish preparations to embark Commodore Michael Clapp (flying his broad pennant as Commodore Amphibious Warfare) and his staff and to load elements of 3 Commando Brigade, including the headquarters of Brigadier Julian Thompson. These elements included 3 Seaking and 3 Scout helicopters of 846 Naval Air Squadron and 3 Commando Brigade.
Fearless thus became the amphibious headquarters ship and took a leading role in the amphibious landings at San Carlos and subsequent support of ground and helicopter forces.
Fearless stopped at Ascension Island to replenish food, fuel and stores and make final preparations and adjustments for the water for HMS Intrepid (after a magnificent effort in remanning with her old ships company) to catch up. There was also a chance for the Marines and Paras to take much needed exercise and for a lucky few to enjoy a tropical beach for 2 hours each, even if they did have to fill sandbags for the ship at the same time.
The approach into San Carlos Water for the assault overnight was carried out in total darkness and almost complete silence. It was not until daybreak that Fearless ships company could see the place soon to be known as Bomb Alley. In the early stages Fearless and other ships in the anchorage were attacked repeatedly by aircraft of the Argentine Airforce and Navy; Fearless herself escaping with slight damage, a few injuries and some very near misses, but credited with a share of 4 Argentine jets shot down. The Argentine pilots came to regard the anchorage as Death Valley, according to one prisoner of war, such were their losses in the next weeks under withering fire from ships and shore elements.
Fearless then became headquarters ship for General Jeremy Moore and his staff, supporting also elements of the 5th Infantry Brigade and 846 Naval Air Squadron. The force headquarters staff remained embarked throughout the final battle for Stanley. At times the ship was host to over 1500 people and overall the flight deck saw over 5000 helicopter deck landings, as well as a passing visit from a Sea Harrier.
Engineers and firefighters saw service in other ships damaged in the war, helping with heavy metal repair to bomb damage and being lowered from helicopters to fight fires in Argonaut, Plymouth and Sir Galahad. Fearless also provided safe haven for survivors of the Antelope and some owunded or lightly injured survivors of the Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad tragedies, as well as an Argentine jet pilot who parachuted injured into San Carlos Water after his Skyhawk was shot down during an attack on the assembled shipping.
After the taking of Goose Green, much Argentinian equipment was discovered, set to work by Fearless personnel and in some cases put to use. For a short time an Argentine anti-aircraft gun was fitted to the flight deck and manned at action stations before bening handed on to a logistic ship whose need was the greater. Several helicopters were found in working condition and were soon in use, albeit with a fresh paint scheme. Several ships were taken, repaired and sailed with the White Ensign including 2 with crews from Fearless, MV Monsunnen, stolen from the Falklanders by the Argentines, and the oil rig tender Yehuin, proud commands for 2 young officers.
After the surrender Fearless was directed to take into custody General Menendez and 3 other senior Argentine staff officers, and they remained until the ship sailed from Stanley. Fearless spent the final week off Port Stanley lending support to the reconstruction effort ashore.
Constant companions in San Carlos were the stalwarts fot the press corps, including reporters, Mike Nicholson, Brian Hanrahan, Jeremy Hands and Max Hastings. Most of the photographs seen in the newspapers covering this period were developed in Fearless' tiny photographic studio. Strong competition to the professionals came from Fearless' own amateur TV camerman who produced daily colourvideo reports from the ship and ashore for the nightly Fearless TV news.
The return is not without sadness, however, as only 3 of the 4 embarked landing craft of the 4th Assault Squadron return with Fearless. Landing craft Foxtrot 4 was attacked and sunk by an Argentine aircraft and Captain Jeremy Larken and the ships company mourn the loss of the coxswain and 5 of the crew. A fund for Foxtrot 4 has been started and contributions from their shipmates already exceed 8000 pounds.
The ships company look forward to being reunited with their loved ones, some well earned leave and the chance to refurbish Fearless fully before her further employment in the Autumn.