Help Identifying Naval Ships/Boats from 70s - Hong Kong

[badgerade]

I've found a few pictures in a family photo album, was hoping someone here may be able to help identify the ships/boat involved? They would have been taken by my Father in Law, he was in the RN stationed in the Far East early to mid 70's on a Leander class frigate.

Realise it's a bit of a long shot, but even if no one can help they might be a bit interesting

(Apologies for the poor quality - The photos are tiny and in a nice 70's style textured effect, as well as being firmly stuck into the album).

[hidetheelephants]

The sub is a USN Balao or Tench class with the GUPPYIII upgrades.
FF 1050 is the frigate USS Albert David of the USN; the destroyer behind it is I think also USN, probably a Forrest Sherman class.

Edited by hidetheelephants on Wednesday 3rd November 15:38

[badgerade]

hidetheelephants said:

FF 1050 is the frigate USS Albert David of the USN.

Thanks! I had tried searching for the penant number 1050 but was obviously missing the FF and not getting any useful results.

[wolfracesonic]

9 minutes, not bad

[badgerade]

wolfracesonic said:

9 minutes, not bad

Impressive eh! I wasn't expecting to get any replies, let alone one identifying 2 ships and the Sub (including upgrades!)

[Wacky Racer]

I love PH

Well done.

Bit slower than usual but a grand effort nonetheless.

[hidetheelephants]

I was bit slow off the mark as I wasted time peering at the 3rd picture before dismissing it as too small and blurry an image; that said I'd be surprised if the four warships weren't more USN types taking a breather from shooting up the vietnamese.

[DB4DM]

The third picture can be dated as not before 1973 because it shows Connaught Tower on the left and the Furama Hotel in the middle. Not after 1977 because it does not show Prince of Wales tower in HMS Tamar

[Chozza]

DB4DM said:

The third picture can be dated as not before 1973 because it shows Connaught Tower on the left and the Furama Hotel in the middle. Not after 1977 because it does not show Prince of Wales tower in HMS Tamar

Which would suggest that the dates on the edge of each photo are correct !

Therefore

"On 6 March, Albert David departed Iloilo on the island of Panay to return to Vietnamese waters. This time, however, her mission was a peaceful one. She was part of Operation "End-sweep," the removal of minefields from the waters adjacent to North Vietnam. Her participation in that effort punctuated by port visits to Sasebo in Japan, Subic Bay in the Philippines, and Hong Kong lasted until the second week in June. The warship cleared Vietnamese waters on 9 June, visited Keelung on Taiwan on the 12th and 13th, and arrived in Yokosuka on the 17th. " https://ussalbertdavid1050.org/ships-log

Maybe there is a log of Operation End-Sweep that will confirm the other ships/sub

[DB4DM]

Duh, hadn't spotted those on my phone!

[robm3]

I lived in HK for a bit, these photos are quite evocative of a time past...

(it's all gone bit sh$te now, thanks to handover)

[ukwill]

As a child (Army brat) I was out there for 3yrs during the 70s. Have a number of similar pics. Fond memories of Stinky Market and taking junk boats to the island.