HMS Ranger (P293)

HMS Ranger is one of 14 Archer Class patrol vessels of the 1st Patrol Boat Squadron (1PBS). Currently based in Portsmouth, she maintains a close relationship with the Sussex University Royal Naval Unit (URNU).

Role

Led by Lieutenant B J P Hammick, as one of the Royal Navy’s Archer-class patrol vessels, HMS Ranger’s primary role is to provide at-sea training for Royal Navy Cadets and University Royal Naval Units (URNUs).

This is often in the form of short deployments to Northern European ports. She can also be deployed in a secondary role, supporting maritime security as well as search and rescue operations.

Archer class

Unit history

1747

The First Ranger

The first Ranger was a 6th Rate frigate, originally the French privateer, Deux Couronnes, which was captured by HMS Gloucester. She was seized 5 May 1747 and sold 29 May 1749.

1895

Beatty’s first command

HMS Ranger was an Opossum-class destroyer (320 tons) in World War I, notably providing the first command for future Admiral of the Fleet, David Beatty.

1987

Current HMS Ranger

The current HMS Ranger was built in Shoreham in 1987 and was originally allocated to the Ulster Division RNR for Junior Officer training. In 1991 she went to form part of the Gibraltar Squadron and returned to the UK in 2004 to be allocated to Sussex URNU.

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