HMS Lowestoft (F103)

HMS Lowestoft in 1979
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Lowestoft
Builder	Alex Stephens & Sons
Laid down	9 June 1958
Launched	23 June 1960
Commissioned	26 September 1961
Decommissioned	1985
Identification	Pennant number: F103
Fate	Sunk as target 8 June 1986
General characteristics
Class and type	Rothesay-class frigate
Displacement	2,800 tons
Length	370 ft (110 m)
Beam	41 ft (12 m)
Draught	17 ft 4 in (5.28 m)
Propulsion	2 × Babcock & Wilcox boilers operating at 550lb sq. in, 850 °F (454 °C) English Electric geared turbines, 2 shafts, 30000 shafts horsepower
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)
Complement	235
Armament	2 × 4.5-inch dual purpose guns on a Mk VI mounting 1 × 40 mm (1.6 in) on STAGG mounting 1 × Limbo mortar Mk 10 mounting
Aircraft carried	1 × Wasp helicopter

HMS Lowestoft was a Rothesay-class or Type 12M class anti-submarine frigate of the British Royal Navy. Lowestoft was reconstructed in the late 1960s to largely the same pattern as the third group of Leander-class frigates, with new radar and fire control and a hangar and pad for a Westland Wasp helicopter for longer range, anti-submarine, engagement. In the late 1970s it was converted as the prototype towed array frigate for the Royal Navy, but retained its full armament. Lowestoft was sunk as a target on 8 June 1986 by HMS Conqueror using a Tigerfish torpedo. She was the last Royal Naval target to be sunk still displaying her pennant number.