HMS Active

HMS Active was the fifth Type 21 frigate of the Royal Navy and entered service in June 1977. She was built by Vosper Thornycroft Shipbuilders. She was sold to Pakistan in 1993 as the PNS Shah Jahan. On the 1st January 2021, she was taken out of service, and sunk on the 12th January 2021 as target practice.

Commanding Officers

1976-1979 Cdr Anthony R H Rogers
1979-1980 Cdr Michael C Gordon-Lennox
1980-1981 Cdr Peter M Franklyn
1981-1982 Cdr Paul C B Canter
1983-1985 Cdr Anthony J C Morrow
1986-1988 Capt Ian D G Garnett F4
1988-1989 Capt Paul C B Canter F4
1990-1991 Capt Michael A Johnson F4
1991-1993 Capt Anthony J C Morrow F4
1993-1994 Capt Christopher R Beagley F4
Royal Navy Service
Active participated in the Falklands War, setting out from HMNB Devonport on 10 May 1982 as part of the Bristol Group, reaching the task force by 26 May. Active formed part of the main British Fleet, well east of the Falklands during the day, while escorting supply convoys to San Carlos Water or carrying out shore bombardment missions at night. On the night of 13/14 June, Active shelled on Argentine positions during the Battle of Mount Tumbledown.[1] By the mid-1980s, in common with the other surviving Type 21s, Active suffered from hull cracking. When the ship was next refitted steel plating was welded along each side of the ship to repair and reinforce the weak points. At the same time modifications were made to reduce hull noise.

For information on HMS Active (Type 31) click here