Echoes of a varied history

From the bottom of the ocean to the very top of the atmosphere, HMS Echo gathers information covering every aspect of the environment.

The ship, currently on task in the Northern Gulf, is a Survey Vessel (Hydrographic/Oceanographic) whose role is the collection of environmental and bathymetric data.

HMS Echo is the 12th ship in a colourful line to bear the name.

The first and second Echos were captured as prizes from the French, and were used by the English between 1758 and 1781.

Third, fourth and fifth were sloops and served around the world, including the Caribbean, Cape of Good hope and around the British Isles.

In addition to being the first of a small number of steam paddle ships built for the Admiralty, the sixth Echo was also the first to serve as a survey ship.

A copy of her survey of the Thames Estuary, published in 1831, is held on board the current vessel.

The seventh, eighth and ninth Echos were ships taken up from trade, and were employed on various tasks during the period 1887 to 1921.

Tenth ship of the name was a destroyer launched in 1934. During WWII she carried out a wide variety of duties, including escort to HMS Prince of Wales, USS Wasp and HMS Eagle, as well as the North Russian convoys.

Following a stint in the Mediterranean, she was transferred to the Greek Navy in 1944 and attended the Spithead Coronation Review as a representative of the Royal Hellenic Navy, before being broken up in 1956.

The eleventh Echo was an Inshore Survey ship and was part of the Inshore Survey Squadron, with HM Ships Enterprise and Egeria.

After several years operating around the UK coast and taking part in official visits to the UK by foreign loyalty, she was put up for sale in 1985 and operates today as TS Earl of Romney, a cadet-training vessel.

The present HMS Echo has a ship’s company of 72, comprising 13 officers, 21 senior rates and 38 junior rates. Split into three watches, the company has two watches (48 people) on board at any time.

This unique manning allows the ship to remain operational for up to 330 days per year.

Echo (motto Marte et Art: By Mars and Art) is fitted with a huge array of military data-gathering equipment.

This provides almost real-time tailored environmental information to the fleet, whether in support of attack submarines conducting over-the-horizon targeting, or a task force of ships about to carry out an amphibious operation.

Her prime tool for gathering the data is the Integrated Survey System, comprising the Simrad EM 1002 multi beam echo sounder.

This is used in conjunction with the acoustic doppler current profiler, Mk II Sea Soar Oceanic Profiler, sidescan sonar, remote offshore tide gauges, sub-bottom profiler and even a grab for collecting samples off the seabed.

The ship also has a fully independent Survey motor boat called Pathfinder.

This is capable of operating for prolonged periods of time independently of Echo with a small group of surveyors, who can live and work ashore if required, to carry out large-scale or beach surveys.

Data gathered is fully transferable between Echo and Pathfinder. The information collected onboard is first processed and checked for accuracy before being sent to a whole variety of users.

It is then further analysed and converted into products for the front line and civilian seafarers throughout the world, to assist military operations and for safe navigation of uncharted waters.

Echo also has a secondary role as a Mine Countermeasure Tasking Authority platform, capable of embarking a command team to run and control mine countermeasure support issues.

The ship is programmed to remain within the Middle East until around next April.

Facts and Figures
Class:	Survey Vessel
Pennant number:	H87
Displacement:	3,600 tonnes
Length:	90.6m
Beam:	16.8m
Speed:	12 kts (cruising)
Complement:	72 (13 officers, 21 senior rates, 38 junior rates)
Machinery:	Three diesel generators; two azimuth thrusters and one bow thrust.
Sensors:	(Underwater) integrated survey system - includes two EA600 echo sounders; (Navigation) Include Kelvin Hughes X Band and S Band Radar; (Meteorological) Include Automated Upper Air Sounding System
Role:	Military data gathering.

(Ship of the Month May 2004)

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