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The wife of the former Under–Secretary of State for Defence Mrs Maurice Foley launched the Scylla on the 8 August 1968, watched by Under-Secretary of State for Defence Dr David Owen, other VIPs, workers and guests. Rear Admiral D B H Wildish said that she went down the slipway about 450 tons heavier than any frigate built there before, which at the time was a country record.
The Hull was specially prepared to resist corrosion, and after 33 years the hull is in sound condition as the hull inspection by VT Group PLC proved last year.
It was a unique build as most of the main propulsion machinery, boilers and auxiliary machinery were fitted before she was launched.
Commissioned in 1970 Scylla sailed to Gibraltar for four weeks of trials, which included towing HMS Penelope to measure hull noise through the water, achieving a Guinness Book of Records entry for towing the Penelope.
In 1971 she sailed for Japan for the annual “Will Adams Festival” – Will Adams being credited with the foundation of the Japanese shipbuilding industry.
1972 saw Scylla in refit for the First time since her Commission.
In 1973 the Scylla was in the news for colliding with the Torpoint Chain Ferry at Plymouth. Later that year she embarked on the Cod War Fishery Protection Patrol and whilst she was on patrol was rammed by an Icelandic Gunboat Aegir.
1974 saw the Scylla at Possession Island to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Captain James Cook’s original landing there, she also took part in exercises with U.S.N. and Imperial Iranian Navy in Southern Persian Gulf, then exercises off the East Coast of Malaysia.
From 1975-1976 more patrols off Iceland in the Cod War. Whilst at Devonport was presented with the Sopwith Trophy, her flight adjudged the most efficient in 1975. She also took part in Royal Duties.
1977 took part in the Queen’s silver Jubilee fleet review
1980 Scylla dispatched emergency relief teams to the hurricane sticken island Cayman Brac. Later that year Devonport Dockyard took Scylla in hand for Exocet and Sea Wolf Conversion.
1987 Scylla was part of a live link-up with the Noel Edmonds Christmas Show whilst on Persian Gulf patrol.
1991 took part in Desert Storm.
1992 Scylla was granted the Freedom of the City Of Aberdeen, a recording of this event was released on video and is still available.
1993 saw her last deployment to the South Atlantic. During the patrol the Scylla had a steering gear failure and collided with RFA Gold Rover, apart from paint damage Scylla had no other damage, whereas the Gold Rover needed repairs to her side.
The Scylla returned to Portsmouth via Plymouth Sound to pay one last visit to her birthplace. She was decommissioned in January 1994.
For the first few years she was berthed in the basin before being moved to Fareham Creek, where she now lies, awaiting her fate on the 1 June 2003.
