HMS Monmouth (F235)

HMS "Monmouth" (F235) 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. She visited Wellington in June 1995 in company with RFA Brambleleaf, the first U.K. or U.S. warship to visit New Zealand since the 1985 ANZUS dispute.

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 early 2004 the ship was assigned to the Atlantic Patrol Task North. In 2006 HMS "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.

HMS "Monmouth" returned to berth at her home port HMNB Devonport on the 3rd December 2007 having completed a circumnavigation of the globe, visiting Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii and taking part in a FPDA Exercise.

Commanding Officers

*Commander T J Peacock (?-present)

Affiliations

*1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards
*Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers
*No. 70 Squadron RAF
*No. 19 Squadron RAF
*Town of Monmouth
*Worshipful Company of Drapers

ee also

* Monmouth Rebellion
* Duke of Monmouth

External links

* [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.1384 HMS Monmouth RN Page]
* [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk Royal Navy Website]