HMS Penzance (M106)

This Sandown Class minehunter is specially designed to neutralise underwater threats and clear the shipping lanes that are vital to our nation’s prosperity.

Role

Led by Lieutenant Commander Simon Henderson MBE, as one of the Royal Navy’s minehunter vessels, HMS Penzance’s primary role is to neutralise underwater threats. Like all Sandown Class vessels, she is most effective in deeper waters, so she can often be found surveying shipping routes or clearing the way for military operations.

Sandown Class

Unit history

1665

Early years

The first two ships to bear the name Penzance were small frigates. They were commissioned in 1665 and 1747 respectively.

1930

The Third Penzance

The third incarnation of the Penzance was a Bridgewater-class sloop, which launched from Devonport.

1940

Attack

While acting as the sole escort to a convoy of ships from Nova Scotia, she was intercepted by a German U37, torpedoed and sunk, resulting in the loss of her Captain and 89 crew.

1997

The current Penzance

The fourth and most recent HMS Penzance was launched by Princess Michael of Kent on 11 March 1997, before being commissioned the following year.

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