HMS Keppel (F85) was a Blackwood-class (Type 14) anti-submarine frigate of the Royal Navy, built during the 1950s. Displacing approximately 1,180 long tons at standard load and up to 1,456 long tons at deep load, the vessel measured 310 feet in length, with a beam of 33 feet and a draught of 15 feet. Its propulsion system comprised a single English Electric geared steam turbine driving a solitary propeller shaft, powered by two Babcock & Wilcox boilers. This configuration generated around 15,000 shaft horsepower, allowing the ship to reach a maximum speed of 27 knots. The frigate had a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 12 knots and a crew complement of 140 officers and ratings. Armament on HMS Keppel included three single-mounted Bofors 40 mm guns, although the quarterdeck mount was later removed due to its impracticality in heavy seas. The vessel was also equipped with two triple-barrelled Limbo Mark 10 anti-submarine mortars, controlled by an advanced sonar suite consisting of the Type 174 search set, Type 162 target-classification set, and Type 170 'pencil beam' targeting set, which together provided detailed bearing and depth information for submarine targets. Laid down at Yarrow Shipbuilders in Scotstoun on 27 March 1953, Keppel was launched on 31 August 1954 and commissioned on 6 July 1956. Initially assigned to the Second Training Squadron based at Portland Harbour, she underwent an extensive refit in 1958, during which her hull was reinforced to improve seaworthiness. After returning to service, Keppel was part of the Portland Training Squadron and later served with the Fishery Protection Squadron from June 1963 to April 1964. In 1973, she was placed in reserve but was briefly reactivated in 1975 to replace a sister ship following a boiler explosion. Keppel remained in service until November 1976, after which she was placed on the disposal list and was eventually scrapped in Sittingbourne in 1979. Her service exemplifies the Royal Navy's focus on anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War era.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.