HMS Beagle, pennant no. H319, in the Gulf, 1969Coastal Survey Vessel HMS Beagle, seen here in November 1969 during a naval exercise. Built by Brooke Marine at Lowestoft and launched on 7th September 1967.
Despite her modest size - she displaced 1,160 tons when fully loaded - she was originally designed for overseas work, although in her later years she was more involved in work around the UK coastline.
She had a complement of 42, including five officers.
When she first commissioned, in 1968, charting was a labour-intensive operation, but Beagle's integrated navigation and survey system, combining input from precision ranging radar and sonars, meant she could process charts in real time as she gathered data. She carried a nine-metre survey motor boat.
She was paid off in 2002.
Picture added on 10 February 2008
Added by Dave Clarke ex Stoker P.O at that time on 23 November 2010.