HMS Chichester (F59)

HMS Chichester (F59) was a Type 12I (Improved Type 12) or Rothesay-class anti-submarine frigate of the British Royal Navy. Built by Yarrow Shipbuilders on the River Clyde, she was launched on 25 November 1959 and commissioned on 16 May 1961.

As a Rothesay-class frigate, Chichester was designed primarily for convoy escort and anti-submarine warfare. She was armed with two 4.5-inch (114 mm) guns in a twin mounting forward, and a pair of single 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns. Anti-submarine armament included a Limbo anti-submarine mortar. The ship's sensor suite included radar for air and surface search and sonar for submarine detection.

Chichester served in various roles throughout her career, including participation in exercises and deployments worldwide. Notably, she was involved in the Third Cod War between the United Kingdom and Iceland in the 1970s, protecting British fishing trawlers. She underwent refits and upgrades during her service life to improve her capabilities.

Chichester was decommissioned from the Royal Navy on 30 October 1981 and was subsequently sunk as a target in the Atlantic in 1983. She was replaced by a Type 22 frigate of the same name, HMS Chichester (F87).