The seventh of a line of small fast ships of the same name, the Lowestofts have served in the Royal Navy from 1697 to 1985 and have distinguished themselves in action.

Lord Nelson served as Lieutenant for two years in the fourth Lowestoffe, a 32-gun frigate built at Deptford  in 1761, on the first obtaining commission in 1777.

The last named HMS Lowestoft had a displacement of 2,600 tons, a length of 370 feet and a breadth of 41 feet. Two shafts with a total of 30,000 horse power gave her a speed in excess of 30 knots.

She had a complement of 15 officers and 220 men. She combined excellent sea-keeping qualities, modern gunnery and anti-submarine weapons.

HMS LOWESTOFT BATTLE HONOURS

QUEBEC - 1759

GENOA - 1795

MINERVE - 1795

DOGGER BANK - 1915

ATLANTIC - 1940-45

NORTH SEA - 1940-45

The Trustees wish to thank the MoD (Historical Section) for all the information on HMS LOWESTOFT

The last HMS Lowestoft was sunk on the 8th June 1986 by a single Tigerfish Torpedo, fired from HM Submarine Conqueror.

Conqueror was pretty good at hitting its target, as it also sunk the Argentinian Belgrano during the Falklands conflict.

Apparently it was the last time a ship was sunk showing its pennant number. [Lowie target practise]

It is now common practice to remove pennant numbers and sink the warships anonymously, as a mark of respect to those who sailed in them.