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Disposal of Royal Navy patrol craft
The British Embassy in the Philippines yesterday (December 22) announced that the Philippines Government has written to the British Secretary of State for Defence declaring her intention to acquire, subject to negotiation, the three Royal Navy patrol craft of the Hong Kong Squadron.
The Royal Navy Hong Kong Squadron, based at HMS Tamar on Stonecutters Island, consists of three Peacock class patrol craft: HMS Peacock, HMS Plover and HMS Starling. All were built by Hall Russell Limited in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The ships were specially designed for patrol duties in Hong Kong waters and, in addition to being fitted for tropical service, have the ability to stay at sea during typhoons.
The vessels are constructed of steel and aluminium and are 63 metres long and 10 metres in the beam. They have a gross tonnage of 763 tonnes, and are driven by two Crossley/Pielstick engines which can give a top speed in excess of 25 knots. They are armed with a single 76mm Oto Melara Gun, and four machine guns.
The ships, which have a complement of 33 officers and men, were accepted into service in the early 1980s, and have served in Hong Kong since 1984.
The three ships of the Royal Navy Hong Kong Squadron will remain on duty in Hong Kong waters right up until the handover on June 30, 1997, after which they will be available for sale.
The Hong Kong Government, which has funded 75 per cent of the ships' costs, will receive 75 per cent of the sale revenue. The British Government will receive the remaining 25 per cent.
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