Type 23 Frigates
HMS Argyll F231
Royal Navy Type 22 'Broadsword' and Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigates, including HMS Argyll F231, HMS Cornwall F99 and HMS Cumberland F85 are seen at Devonport Naval Base (viewed from the Torpoint Ferry) on 26th June 2011. How rapidly our navy changes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry9UHTeDtjk
Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS Argyll F231 returns to Devonport Naval Base at Mount Wise on 22nd March 2017, following an extensive 20 month refit and upgrade at Devonport, which involved the fitting of the new Sea Ceptor air-defence missile system. HMS Argyll's mid life refit has been the most complex ever undertaken at Devonport, with Argyll being the first British warship to have its missile system changed midlife since the 1970s. A culmination of 600,000 hours work at a cost of up to £20 million, the completion of her 'life-extension' refit is designed to extend her operational life from 18 to 35 years, so they hopefully will continue to be a familiar sight at their home of Devonport for many years to come! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T3btCXgbnw
HMS Argyll F231 is a Type 23 Duke Class Frigate and is seen leaving her home base at Devonport at Devil's Point on 13th March 2017, after last month completing a 20 month refit, which involved the fitting of the new Sea Ceptor air-defence missile system. HMS Argyll is the first Type 23 to be so equipped, and this mid life refit has been the most complex ever undertaken at Devonport, with Argyll being the first British warship to have its missile system changed midlife since the 1970s. A culmination of 600,000 hours work at a cost of up to £20 million, the completion of HMS Argyll's 'life-extension' refit is designed to extend her operational life from 18 to 35 years, so they hopefully will continue to be a familiar sight at their home of Devonport for many years to come!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyXhYy6SOaM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyXhYy6SOaM
In this film we see two Royal Navy Warships pass each other, as Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll F231 passes HMS Westminster F237 (anchored) as 'Argyll' enters Devonport.
HMS Argyll F231, a 4900 ton Type 23 Frigate of the Royal Navy was launched in 1989, and we see HMS Argyll as she crosses Firestone Bay and passes Western Kings, Plymouth as she enters Devonport Naval Base on 15th February 2017
Filmed from Down Thomas, Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS Argyle F231 is seen passing brand new RFA 'Tide' Class Fleet Tanker RFA Tideforce A139 at the Breakwater in Plymouth Sound as she enters Devonport on 5th July 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFEomkTkT_M
HMS Iron Duke F234
Entering Plymouth Sound from Cawsand Bay, mothballed HMS Iron Duke F234 is seen under tow as she is brought from Portsmouth to Devonport Dockyard on 17th January 2019, in order to begin a 'Lifex' upgrade and refit, which will see extensive work undertaken to her hull. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCIULdeH10E
Having been towed from Portsmouth to Devonport, mothballed HMS Iron Duke F234 approaches Devonport Naval Base at Devil's Point on 17th January 2019, where she will undergo an extensive 'Life-ex' refit and upgrade at Devonport Dockyard, which will include significant work to her hull. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIf95pZxEXs
HMS Kent F78
Filmed from the Torpoint Ferry, HMS Kent F78, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, is seen looking splendid whilst undergoing the latter stages of her refit at Devonport Naval Base on 24th June 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUKggRQr9vA
HMS Kent F78, a Royal Navy Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate, is seen in moody atmospheric conditions as she enters the cold waters of the River Tamar as she enters Devonport Naval Base at Devil's Point at dusk on 16th January 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlbfJ6J5Hps
HMS Kent F78, a Type 23 'Duke' class frigate that underwent a major upgrade and refit at Devonport last year, is seen entering Devonport Naval Base at Devil's Point on 14th February 2019, having earlier undertaken exercises as part of FOST off the West Country coast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubc47m6JxXU
Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS Kent F78 leaves Devonport Naval Base at Rusty Anchor, Plymouth Hoe on 14th May 2020 as she heads from Base (No. 1 Jetty) to Sea. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zddd1mO7jbk
HMS Monmouth F235
One of the Royal Navy's Type 23 Frigates, HMS Monmouth F235, crosses Firestone Bay at Western Kings and enters Devonport Naval Base on 13th January 2017.
HMS Monmouth F235, a Royal Navy Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate, leaves Devonport Naval Base at Devil's Point as she heads at 0830 from base to sea on 30th April 2018. A glorious sight in the spring sunshine! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VetwEApjno8
HMS Monmouth F235, a Royal Navy Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate, is seen being manoeuvred out from Devonport and makes an impressive sight as she heads down the River Tamar as she leaves Devonport Naval Base at North Corner Pontoon, Cornwall Beach on 7th May 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP3013SHdGI
HMS Monmouth F235, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, leaves her home base of Devonport at Devil's Point on the 19th July 2018. HMS Monmouth was commissioned on 24th September 1993 and last received a major refit between 2014-2015. Nicknamed 'The Black Duke,' the 4900 ton vessel's motto is particularly apt: 'Fear nothing but God' - a motto everyone should perhaps live by! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa_POxJK35s
The 'Black Duke' returns to Devonport! HMS Monmouth F235, affectionately known as 'The Black Duke,' enters Devonport Naval Base at Mount Wise on 25th July 2018. The sixth 'Duke' Class Type 23 Frigate for the Royal Navy and seventh warship to bare the name 'Monmouth,' she is known as the 'Black Duke' due to the dissolution of the Duke of Monmouth's title and the blacking out of his Coat of Arms in 1685 following the Monmouth Rebellion against King James II. In recognition of this, her name is painted black and she carries a plain black flag in addition to the ensign. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEc8oYVGIpY
Filmed during a RN 'Family Day,' HMS Monmouth F235, a Royal Navy 'Duke' Class Type 23 Frigate enters Devonport Naval Base at Mount Edgcumbe on 26th July 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1t94yN5hBY
HMS Monmouth F235, a Type 23 'Duke' class frigate, is seen beside two of the fleet's newest vessels, RFA Tidesurge A138 & RFA Tideforce A139, as well as RFA Argus A135, as she passes the breakwater in Plymouth Sound and prepares to enter Devonport Naval Base on 1st March 2019. Wonderful silhouette images in this piece of filming! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZPId7Qmv0A
The 'Black Duke' returns home to Devonport! HMS Monmouth F235, approaches Devonport as she passes Mount Batten Jetty on 1st March 2019. HMS Monmouth features more battle honours than any other Royal Navy warship, and in recognition of the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion against King James II in 1685, features a black name (the only warship in the RN to feature one) and a plain black flag in addition to the ensign due to the dissolution of the title and the blacking out of the Duke of Monmouth's Coat of Arms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHWToF8KE-0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHWToF8KE-0
HMS Montrose F236
HMS Montrose F236, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, enters her home port of Devonport Naval Base at Devil's Point on 5th May 2018. Laid down on 1st November 1989, she was launched on 31st July 1992 and is currently based at Devonport as part of the Devonport Flotilla, although she is currently due to re-allocated to Portsmouth by 2023. Powered by four Paxman Valenta diesel generators and two Rolls-Royce Spey SM1C engines that generate 31,100shp, she has a maximum speed of 28 knots (32mph). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIjbCsRsKV4
HMS Montrose F236, a 'Duke' Class Type 23 Frigate of the Royal Navy enters Devonport Naval Base at Tinside Pool, Plymouth Hoe on 30th July 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mhfIVW3lmk
HMS Montrose F236, a 'Duke' Class Type 23 Frigate of the Royal Navy, rounds Devil's Point and enters Devonport Naval Base at Mount Wise on 28th September 2018 as she heads from sea to base. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4e2XE7YaDw
In beautiful autumnal but windy conditions, HMS Montrose F236, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, leaves Devonport Naval Base at Mutton Cove as she heads from Base (No. 1 Jetty) to Sea on 10th October 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4TdIhMiJsk
HMS Montrose F236, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy enters Devonport Naval Base at Rusty Anchor, Plymouth Hoe on 11th October 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liyTJyO1M4g
HMS Northumberland F238
HMS Northumberland F238, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy is seen during the ship's 'family day' as she leaves Devonport Naval Base at Devil's Point on 9th August 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36mXqXt-IEU
HMS Northumberland F238, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, enters her home port of Devonport Naval Base on 23rd June 2018, heading 1300 sea to base as she passes Mount Edgcumbe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ay7XOYcG0Q
HMS Northumberland F238, a 'Duke' Class Type 23 Frigate of the Royal Navy, is seen leaving Devonport Naval Base at Mount Batten Breakwater on 23rd July 2018. The eighth ship to bare the name 'Northumberland,' the first being a 70 gun Frigate of 1679, she is attached to the Devonport Flotilla. Built by Swan Hunter on Tyne & Wear, she was launched in April 1992 and commissioned on 29th September 1994. In 2011, as part of an extensive refit she was upgraded with the Sea Wolf point defence missile system and is currently commanded by Cdr A E Pollard RN. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LAHInRdh_w
HMS Northumberland F238, a 'Duke' Class Type 23 Frigate of the Royal Navy enters Devonport Naval Base at Mount Edgcumbe / Cremyll on 25th July 2018 (1530 sea to base 6W). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4P4t61JeWo
HMS Northumberland F238, a 'Duke' Class Type 23 Frigate of the Royal Navy, looks absolutely superb as she leaves her home of Devonport Naval Base at Devil's Point during a RN 'Family Day' on 26th July 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKT9dVtVvds
HMS Northumberland F238, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, enters Devonport Naval Base at Mount Edgcumbe on 26th July 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVudeOhDyHM
HMS Northumberland F238, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, leaves Devonport Naval Base at Mutton Cove on 8th October 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSLdHIj00e0
HMS NORTHUMBERLAND F238, a Devonport based Type 23 Frigate, leaves Devonport Naval Base and passes the Narrows, Devils Point as she heads from Base (15W) to Sea at 0845 hrs on 18th July 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le7g2mLK2Gs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le7g2mLK2Gs
HMS Portland F79
Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS PORTLAND F79 departs Devonport Naval Base at The Narrows, Devils Point as she heads from Base (No. 15W) to Sea on 14th November 2022.
HMS St Albans F83
This morning's excitement from Devonport! HMS St Albans F83, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, leaves Devonport Naval Base and passes Mutton Cove on 4th June 2018. Based at Portsmouth, nicknamed 'The Saint,' HMS St Albans was built at BAE Systems' Yarrows Yard in Scotstoun, Glasgow being launched in May 2000 and commissioned on 6th June 2002, undergoing a major refit between 2013 & 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy9GyqSiUAI
HMS St Albans F83, a Royal Navy Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, is seen returning to Devonport Naval Base (sea to base) at Devil's Point on 4th June 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YXsQOS32f4
HMS Somerset F82
HMS Somerset F82 leaves Cawsand Bay and crosses Plymouth Sound as she approaches Devonport on 24th February 2017. HMS Somerset is the fourth ship to bare the name 'Somerset' to serve in the Royal Navy, and has inherited four battle honours from previous ships of the same name including Vigo Bay (1702), Velez Malaga (1704), Louisburg (1758) and Quebec (1759), ensuring that the name 'Somerset' will continue to play a significant part in naval history in years to come. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ55Jw-VyN8
Early on 24th February 2017, HMS Somerset F82, crosses Firestone Bay and passes Western Kings Battery before returning to her home base at Devonport. HMS Somerset was the eleventh Type 23 Frigate to join the fleet, and was ordered in 1992 from the Yarrow yard in Scotstoun on the Clyde, being launched in June 1994. Over the next few years, Type 23 Frigates will receive significant mid-life upgrades, such as the fitting of the new Sea Ceptor air-defence missile system as recently completed on sister ship HMS Argyll, in order to extend the Type 23s operational working lives from 18 to 35 years, meaning they will hopefully be a part of the naval scene at Devonport for many years to come!
HMS Somerset F82 leaves Devonport Naval Base and passes Mutton Cove as she heads out to sea on 22nd May 2017. HMS Somerset is the fourth ship to bare the name 'Somerset,' and has inherited four battle honours from previous ships of the same name including Vigo Bay (1702), Velez Malaga (1704), Louisburg (1758) and Quebec (1759). Based at Devonport, she was the eleventh 'Duke' Class Type 23 Frigate to join the fleet, being ordered in 1992 from the Yarrow yard in Scotstoun on the Clyde, and being launched in June 1994.
HMS Somerset F82, a 'Duke' Class Type 23 Frigate of the Royal Navy is seen leaving her home base of Devonport at Devil's Point on 16th July 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ho37sfvLD0
HMS Somerset F82, one of 13 'Duke' Class Type 23 Frigates of the Royal Navy, enters her home port of Devonport Naval Base at Mount Batten on 23rd July 2018. As I filmed her crossing Firestone Bay and around Devil's Point, I thought the grey day combined with the bleakness was so evocative of many images of warships that served during the Falklands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HseVqD15htQ
HMS Somerset F82 leaves Devonport Naval Base and heads from Base to Sea on 2nd September 2022.
HMS Sutherland F81
HMS Sutherland F81 is a Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate, and is the thirteenth 'Duke' Class Frigate to be built and only the third warship to bare the name 'Sutherland,' the first warship to bare this name in over 200 years. Built by Yarrow Shipbuilders on the Clyde, she was launched on 9th March 1996 and received a major refit at Devonport during 2013-2015. She has a displacement of 4900 tons and can reach speeds of 28 knots (32mph) using her four 1510 kW (2,025 shp) Paxman Valenta 12CM diesel generators, however in November 2008, whilst undergoing high speed trials, HMS Sutherland achieved a maximum speed of 34.4 knots.The ship's motto is 'Sans Peur' latin for 'Without Fear,' and we see her as she leaves her home port of Devonport Naval Base as she heads out to sea on 29th May 2017.
HMS Sutherland F81, one of Devonport's Type 23 'Duke' class Frigates, leaves Devonport as she passes through the 'narrows' at Devil's Point and passes Artillery Tower as she heads from base to sea on 23rd November 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GreYNxXV3bo
Leaving Devonport Naval Base, HMS Sutherland F81, a Royal Navy Type 23 'Duke' class frigate, crosses Batten Bay and Jenny Cliff Bay and passes Drake's Island as she heads from base to sea on 23rd November 2018. As I filmed her leaving, the thought occoured to me that the Type 23s may well be the last RN warship to use the traditional profile, as the new Type 26s will have a profile very similar to a condensed Type 45 destroyer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE8BJv6htpU
HMS Sutherland F81, a Type 23 'Duke' class frigate of the Royal Navy, leaves Devonport in atmospheric conditions as she passes Drake's Island and the breakwater in Plymouth Sound as she heads from base to sea on 23rd November 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tbKwgfwg20
HMS Sutherland F81, a Royal Navy Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate, is seen leaving Devonport Naval Base at Mutton Cove as she heads from base (3W) to sea on 17th June 2019 possibly to act as guard ship in connection with HMS Queen Elizabeth's five week trials in the East Atlantic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8hOMmmwsuQ
HMS Westminster F237
Royal Navy Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate HMS Westminster F237 leaves Devonport Naval Base and passes 'the narrows' at Devil's Point on 19th March 2017. The second warship to bare the name Westminster, the ship's motto is 'For Nation and for Glory' and was launched on 4th February 1992 and commissioned in May 1994. Normally based at Portsmouth, she entered refit in November 2014, emerging in January 2017 equipped with a new principal weapon system, Sea Ceptor, instead of Seawolf, and Radar Type 997. The Type 23s are 436 feet long, have a displacement of 4900 tons and are equipped with two Rolls-Royce Spey SM1C engines delivering 31100shp. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8hAOZuxsa4
HMS Westminster F237, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, and we see her off the breakwater in Plymouth Sound as she prepares to enter Devonport Naval Base on 13th June 2017.
HMS Westminster F237 is seen entering Devonport Naval Base as she passes Devil's Point on 13th June 2017. She is a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy and is the second warship to bare the name Westminster, named after the City of Westminster and Duke of Westminster, with the ship's motto being 'For Nation and for Glory.' Launched on 4th February 1992 and commissioned in May 1994, her predecessor was a W Class Destroyer that was launched in 1918 and sold in 1948.
At just after 0830 on 19th June 2017, HMS Westminster F237, a Type 23 'Duke' class frigate of the Royal Navy, is seen leaving Devonport Naval Base and passing Mutton Cove. As she leaves Devonport, HMS Westminster passes Slip No. 1, one of two covered shipbuilding slips at Devonport South Yard which dates from 1763, and is the oldest remaining covered slipway in any royal dockyard, with its roof subsequently being added later in 1814.
HMS Westminster F237, one of the Royal Navy's Type 23 'Duke' class frigates, leaves Devonport Naval Base and passes the narrows at Devil's Point, just after 0800 on 26th June 2017, as she heads out from base to sea, shortly after the departure of HMS Ocean, which can be glimpsed briefly in Plymouth Sound.
HMS Westminster F237, a Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate of the Royal Navy, is seen in atmospheric if murky conditions as she slips away from Devonport Naval Base at Mutton Cove on 3rd July 2017. There is something truly impressive about watching a warship departing in such conditions! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M310_0XTavg
In glorious winter conditions, Royal Navy Type 23 'Duke' Class Frigate HMS Westminster F237 rounds Devil's Point and passes Rusty Anchor at Plymouth Hoe, before passing Mountbatten, as she leaves Devonport and heads from base to sea on 25th November 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHIIg6tuAWo