Fearless-class landing platform dock

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The Fearless-class landing platform docks were the first purpose-built amphibious assault vessels in the Royal Navy. The class comprised two ships: Template:HMS and Template:HMS.

Designed as landing platform docks (LPD), they were designed to transport and land troops by sea either using Landing Craft Utility (LCU) or helicopters. As constructed, the ships have an internal dock that is accessed via the stern—while in port, vehicles can drive up the stern ramp and into the internal vehicle decks. At sea, the ships could partially submerge themselves at the stern, flooding the internal dock and allowing landing craft to come right up to the edge of the vehicle deck.

Each ship carried four LCUs in the stern dock, with four smaller landing craft on davits on the superstructure. They provided accommodation for up to 400 troops, which could be increased to 700, if no vehicles were carried.

Service

Intrepid was put into extended reserve in 1991, effectively removing her from active service. While in this state, she was used as a source of spares to maintain Fearless. Intrepid was finally withdrawn from service in August 1999. Fearless was kept in service, and continued to be deployed in concert with Template:HMS until the end of 2002, when she too was withdrawn from service, ready for the Template:Sclass to enter the fleet. The Fearless class were the last steam-powered surface vessels in Royal Navy service.Template:Citation needed

1982 Falklands War

Fearless

Sailed from Portsmouth on 6 April 1982 as part of Operation Corporate Task Force.<ref>https://www.nmrn.org.uk/news/falklands-40-key-naval-dates-april-1982 Template:Bare URL inline</ref> She carried the staff of Commodore Amphibious Warfare (COMAW) Michael Clapp and the Commanding Officer of 3 Commando Brigade, Brigadier Julian Thompson, acting as the afloat headquarters for planning and coordination of the San Carlos landings. During the landings at San Carlos Water on 21–22 May, Fearless’ landing craft put ashore elements of 3 Commando Brigade and troops of 5 Infantry Brigade, establishing the beachhead that would drive the advance towards Port Stanley.<ref>https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2024/06/the-san-carlos-fob-forward-operating-base/ Template:Bare URL inline</ref>

On 8 June 1982, two of her LCVP landing craft (Foxtrot 4 and Foxtrot 7) rescued survivors from the frigate Template:HMS after it was struck by Argentine aircraft; Royal Marine Corporal Alan White earned a Task Force Commander’s Commendation for rescuing 41 crew with Foxtrot 7, and Colour Sergeant Brian Johnston was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal after his actions in Foxtrot 4. Fearless remained on station until the cessation of hostilities on 14 June 1982, then returned to Portsmouth after nearly three months away.Template:Citation needed

Intrepid

Sailed from Portland on 26 April 1982 following a rapid work‑up and joined the South Atlantic task group for amphibious operations.<ref>https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1105187228303514 Template:Bare URL inline</ref> Between 26 April and 5 May, she carried Commando Headquarters and Royal Marines’ landing craft, rehearsing landings en-route to Ascension Island and then San Carlos Water.<ref>https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060018697 Template:Bare URL inline</ref> Intrepid’s boats helped deploy beach reconnaissance teams on the night of 20–21 May to survey landing sites under cover of darkness.Template:Citation needed

On 27 May, an A-4B Skyhawk of Argentine Grupo 5 was damaged by 40mm Bofors fire from Intrepid while over San Carlos Water and later crashed near Port Howard.<ref name="Naval-History-AirLosses">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

After the Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982, Intrepid remained in the islands to assist with the distribution of supplies.<ref>https://www.imarest.org/resource/life-aboard-hms-intrepid-during-the-falklands-conflict.html Template:Bare URL inline</ref> She sailed from San Carlos Water on 26 June 1982 and arrived back at Portsmouth on 14 July 1982.Template:Citation needed

Ships

Pennant	Name	(a) Hull builder (b) Main machinery manufacturers	Laid down	Launched	Accepted into service	Commissioned	Estimated building cost<ref>"Unit cost, i.e. excluding cost of certain items (e.g. aircraft, First Outfits)." Text from Defences Estimates</ref>
L10	Template:HMS	(a) Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast (b) English Electric Co Ltd, Rugby (steam turbines) (b) David Brown & Co Ltd, Huddersfield (gearing)<ref name=DE1966>Defence Estimates, 1966-67, page 72, Table 3 (Programme): List and particulars of new ships which have been accepted or are expected to be accepted into HM service during the Financial Year ended 31 March 1966</ref>	25 July 1962	19 December 1963	November 1965<ref name=DE1966/>	25 November 1965	£11,250,000<ref name=DE1966/>
L11	Template:HMS	(a) John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank (b) English Electric Co Ltd, Rugby (steam turbines) (b) David Brown & Co Ltd, Huddersfield (gearing)<ref name=DE1967>Defence Estimates, 1966–67, page 75, Table 3 (Programme): List and particulars of new ships which have been accepted or are expected to be accepted into HM service during the Financial Year ended 31 March 1967</ref>	19 December 1962	25 June 1964	March 1967<ref name=DE1967/>	11 March 1967	£10,300,000<ref name=DE1967/>