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Organisation / Units & Squadrons
HMS Express (P163)
Organisation / Units & Squadrons

HMS Express (P163)

HMS Express (P163) is one of 16 Archer-class patrol vessels assigned to the Coastal Forces Squadron, providing maritime security and operations within Europe’s coastal waters.

Role

HMS Express (P163) is part of Coastal Forces Squadron (West), based in HMNB Devonport. The Ship, operated by a small team of 5 sailors and led by an experienced Lieutenant, regularly contributes to UK maritime security, UK and NATO exercises in home waters and overseas, training of personnel, and a plethora of other activities. 

Recently, Express has acted as a trials platform for cutting-edge technology, deployed to the Baltic region and Norway, and embarked specialist personnel and equipment to provide a range of effects, for instance mine survey. The Ship also frequently supports FOST (Fleet Operational Standards & Training), contributing to the world-class training delivered to UK and allied warships.

HMNB Portsmouth

Capability

HMS Express is based in Penarth Marina in Cardiff Bay. She is proud to be affiliated with HMS Dragon, HM Submarine Trenchant as well as local cadet groups and schools.

Arrher class

Crew

Led by Lieutenant Stubbington, HMS Express can accommodate up to ten additional personnel in addition to her five Ship’s Company already embarked. Her activities and responsibilities include:

  • Maritime Security
  • Force Protection
  • Supporting NATO Operations and Exercises including JOINT WARRIOR and TYPHOON WARRIOR
  • Navigation and Seamanship Training
  • Regional Engagement

Unit history

1695

The First Express

The first Royal Navy vessel to bear the name Express is a six-gun advice boat, built in Portsmouth dockyard and sold in 1712.
1800

The Second Express

The second Express, a six-gun schooner, is launched at Rotherhithe in 1800 and sold in 1813.
1808

The Third Express

Another advice boat, purchased from the Americans in 1808, is christened HMS Express is 1808. She has a notable role in the Battle of Martinique in 1809.
1815

The Fourth Express

Express number four is built at Plymouth Dockyard in 1815. The 12-gun schooner is sold in Malta 12 years later.
1835

The Fifth Express

A six-gun packet brig is launched at Deptford in October 1835. Weighing in at 360 tonnes, the fifth HMS Express is sold in early 1862.
1874

The Sixth Express

The next ship to bear the name Express is a 455-tonne screw gunboat, launched at Doxford in July 1874.
1897

The Seventh Express

The next ship is a 500-ton destroyer from Laird, launched in December 1897 and sold in March 1921.
1934

The Eighth Express

The eighth Express is a 1375-tonne E-class destroyer, launched by Swan Hunter on 29 May 1934.
1943

World War II

Serving at Dunkirk and in the Far East, then transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy in 1943, HMS Express continues to play an active role in the war. She is eventually scuttled for use as a breakwater in the mid-1950s.
1988

The current Express

The ninth HMS Express is commissioned into the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service (RNAS). On transfer into the Royal Navy, she retains the black paintwork normally reserved for RNAS ships for several years.

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