British naval mishap in Bahrain: mine destroyers collide amid rising tensions in Middle East
4:44 AM EST, January 20, 2024
The HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Bangor are my destroyers, included among the vessels Britain has dispatched to the Middle East in an effort to limit the aspirations of the Hutu rebels. These are Hamas allies, backed by Iran, who have been launching recent attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Conversely, Bahrain sides with the West, as reflected by the now-frequent presence of American or British vessels in its ports.
British naval collision in the harbor
The clash between the HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Bangor was filmed, and the footage rapidly gained online traction. The video makes clear that the HMS Chiddingfold was the ship that struck the HMS Bangor at its side.
Officials from the Royal Navy, the navy of Great Britain, have verified the occurrence of an incident at the Bahrain port. However, they choose not to reveal particular details surrounding the event at this juncture, leaving the unfolding investigation to bring this information to light.
"We are informed of an incident involving two mine destroyers in Bahrain. There were no casualties, but it would be improper to provide additional comments on the matter while the investigation is ongoing," a spokesperson for the Royal Navy said.
The mine destroyers, HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Bangor
The HMS Chiddingfold was commissioned in 1983. It spans 197 feet long and is powered by a pair of Caterpillar C32 diesel engines, granting it a maximum speed of just over 18.6 mph. The HMS Bangor, congeners, has been serving in the British Navy since 1999, measures 172.2 feet, and can achieve nearly 15.5 mph.
Both vessels house crews of roughly 40 individuals, including experts in mine warfare and divers trained in mine disposal.
Beyond the video capturing the collision, a solitary photo showing the side of the HMS Bangor has emerged. It indicates damage, the extent of which remains to be meticulously assessed by professionals. Certain observers highlight that mine destroyers, due to their purpose, are built from unique materials that include plastic fortified with fiberglass.
