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HMS Monmouth (F235)
Encyclopedia
HMS Monmouth is the sixth Type 23
frigate
of the Royal Navy
. She is the seventh ship to bear the name and was launched by Lady Eaton in 1991, being commissioned two years later.
Affectionately known as 'The Black Duke', Monmouth is the only ship in service with the Royal Navy that has its name painted in black and flies a plain black flag in addition to the ensign. This is due to the dissolution of the title and the blacking out of the Coat of Arms
of the Duke of Monmouth in 1685 following the Monmouth Rebellion
against James II of England
.
in June 1995 in company with RFA Brambleleaf
, the first UK or US warship to visit New Zealand
since the 1985 ANZUS
dispute.
In early 2004 the ship was assigned to the Atlantic Patrol Task North
. In 2006 Monmouth underwent operational sea training, conducted by Flag Officer Sea Training, in which she spent six weeks fighting off staged attacks by ships and submarines.
Monmouth returned to berth at her home port HMNB Devonport
on 3 December 2007 having completed a circumnavigation of the globe, visiting Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii and taking part in a FPDA Exercise.
In 2008 she went into refit and in 2009 deployed to the Gulf, returning in April 2010.
On 27 May 2010, she escorted the fleet of "little ships"
commemorating the 70th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation from Dunkirk on 27 May-4 June 1940 of approximately 340,000 British and French soldiers, and one of the most celebrated military events in British history.
Monmouth spent June 2011 in the Indian Ocean
patrolling the waters off Somalia
as part of the ongoing multi-national anti-piracy
operations in the region. The deployment also saw her spend some time in Victoria
, the capital of the Seychelles
where she took part in the islands' Independence celebrations.
Type 23 frigate
The Type 23 frigate is a class of frigate built for the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. All the ships were first named after British Dukes, thus the class is also known as the Duke class. The first Type 23 was commissioned in 1989, and the sixteenth, was launched in May 2000 and commissioned in...
frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. She is the seventh ship to bear the name and was launched by Lady Eaton in 1991, being commissioned two years later.
Affectionately known as 'The Black Duke', Monmouth is the only ship in service with the Royal Navy that has its name painted in black and flies a plain black flag in addition to the ensign. This is due to the dissolution of the title and the blacking out of the Coat of Arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
of the Duke of Monmouth in 1685 following the Monmouth Rebellion
Monmouth Rebellion
The Monmouth Rebellion,The Revolt of the West or The West Country rebellion of 1685, was an attempt to overthrow James II, who had become King of England, King of Scots and King of Ireland at the death of his elder brother Charles II on 6 February 1685. James II was a Roman Catholic, and some...
against James II of England
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
.
Operational history
Monmouth visited WellingtonWellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
in June 1995 in company with RFA Brambleleaf
RFA Brambleleaf (A81)
RFA Brambleleaf was a Leaf-class support tanker of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. She should not be confused with the support/freighting tanker RFA Brambleleaf of 1959, also with the pennant number A81. On the 18th of August 2009 she was towed to Ghent for scrapping....
, the first UK or US warship to visit New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
since the 1985 ANZUS
ANZUS
The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty is the military alliance which binds Australia and New Zealand and, separately, Australia and the United States to cooperate on defence matters in the Pacific Ocean area, though today the treaty is understood to relate to attacks...
dispute.
In early 2004 the ship was assigned to the Atlantic Patrol Task North
Standing Royal Navy deployments
Although the majority of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy fleet, unless required, remains training and exercising in and around Home Waters, the Navy has a number of standing commitments, including those held for contingent operations, to provide ships for various missions around the world:-Response...
. In 2006 Monmouth underwent operational sea training, conducted by Flag Officer Sea Training, in which she spent six weeks fighting off staged attacks by ships and submarines.
Monmouth returned to berth at her home port HMNB Devonport
HMNB Devonport
Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport , is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the Royal Navy . HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport, in the west of the city of Plymouth in Devon, England...
on 3 December 2007 having completed a circumnavigation of the globe, visiting Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii and taking part in a FPDA Exercise.
In 2008 she went into refit and in 2009 deployed to the Gulf, returning in April 2010.
On 27 May 2010, she escorted the fleet of "little ships"
Little ships of Dunkirk
The little ships of Dunkirk were 700 private boats that sailed from Ramsgate in England to Dunkirk in France between May 26 and June 4, 1940 as part of Operation Dynamo, the rescue of more than 338,000 British and French soldiers, who were trapped on the beaches at Dunkirk during the Second World...
commemorating the 70th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation from Dunkirk on 27 May-4 June 1940 of approximately 340,000 British and French soldiers, and one of the most celebrated military events in British history.
Monmouth spent June 2011 in the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
patrolling the waters off Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
as part of the ongoing multi-national anti-piracy
Piracy in Somalia
Piracy off the coast of Somalia has been a threat to international shipping since the second phase of the Somali Civil War in the early 21st century...
operations in the region. The deployment also saw her spend some time in Victoria
Victoria, Seychelles
Victoria is the capital city of the Seychelles and is situated on the north-eastern side of Mahé island, which is the main island of the archipelago. The city was first established as the seat of the British colonial government...
, the capital of the Seychelles
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
where she took part in the islands' Independence celebrations.
Commanding officers
- Commander Guy Haywood (2003–2005)
- Commander T J Peacock (2008-2009)
- Commander Tony Long (2009-2010)
- Commander Bassett (Dec 2010 -present)
Affiliations
- 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards is a cavalry regiment of the British Army. Nicknamed The Welsh Cavalry, the regiment recruits from Wales, Herefordshire, and Shropshire, and is the senior cavalry regiment, and therefore senior regiment, of the line of the British Army...
- Royal Monmouthshire Royal EngineersRoyal Monmouthshire Royal EngineersThe Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers is the most senior regiment in the British Territorial Army, having given continuous loyal service to the crown since 1539. It is part of the reserve forces, and is the only remaining Militia unit in the British Army...
- No. 70 Squadron RAF
- No. 19 Squadron RAF
- Town of MonmouthMonmouthMonmouth is a town in southeast Wales and traditional county town of the historic county of Monmouthshire. It is situated close to the border with England, where the River Monnow meets the River Wye with bridges over both....
- Worshipful Company of DrapersWorshipful Company of DrapersThe Worshipful Company of Drapers is one of the 108 Livery Companies of the City of London; it has the formal name of The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London but is more usually known...