HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association
Future of Ajax Name
The Future of the Name Ajax
ROYAL NAVY
In 2013 it was mooted that the 7th & final Royal Navy Astute Class Submarine would be named HMS Ajax and indeed the HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association was invited to the proposed Keel Laying Ceremony to coincide with the 75th Anniversary of The Battle of the River Plate in 2014. Thus, the new 9th HMS Ajax would perpetuate the name that has been carried by RN Ships since 1767. However, this, for whatever reason, was not to be and the Astute Class were named HM Ships Astute; Ambush; Artful; Audacious; Anson; Agamemnon with HMS Agincourt taking the final name rather than Ajax in May 2018. She is under construction and is not expected to enter service until at least 2026.
In 2013 it was mooted that the 7th & final Royal Navy Astute Class Submarine would be named HMS Ajax and indeed the HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association was invited to the proposed Keel Laying Ceremony to coincide with the 75th Anniversary of The Battle of the River Plate in 2014. Thus, the new 9th HMS Ajax would perpetuate the name that has been carried by RN Ships since 1767. However, this, for whatever reason, was not to be and the Astute Class were named HM Ships Astute; Ambush; Artful; Audacious; Anson; Agamemnon with HMS Agincourt taking the final name rather than Ajax in May 2018. She is under construction and is not expected to enter service until at least 2026.
ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY
It was also speculated that the Town of Ajax Ontario was to press to have the name Ajax carried by a future Royal Canadian HMCS but no progress is reported on the matter.
It was also speculated that the Town of Ajax Ontario was to press to have the name Ajax carried by a future Royal Canadian HMCS but no progress is reported on the matter.
UNITED STATES NAVY
There have been four previous US Ships carrying the name Ajax.
There have been four previous US Ships carrying the name Ajax.
USS Ajax (1869) Launched in 1864 as USS Manayunk and renamed Ajax in 1869. Decommissioned 1898.
USS Ajax (AG-15) Named Scindia, a collier, purchased in 1898 and renamed Ajax in 1901. In 1921 converted to a seaplane tender. Decommissioned in 1925.
USS Ajax (SP-738) A research vessel acquired in 1917 and renamed USS Rockport in 1918. Sold 1919.
USS Ajax (AR-6) A Vulcan-class repair ship. Laid down in 1941, launched in 1942 and commissioned in 1943 it was decommissioned in 1986 and finally sold for scrap. This last ship has a Veterans Association although the HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association, despite several attempts, has failed to make contact. Their website is http://ussajaxassociation.org/
OTHERS
Many other vessels of varying types throughout the world have adopted the name Ajax.
HMS Ajax & River Plate Veterans Association
Email h.m.s.ajax.rpv@gmail.com
Contact Us HERE