The Plymouth-based Royal Navy warship HMS Montrose has celebrated the ship’s 20th year.
The ship was launched at Yarrow shipbuilders on the Clyde 20 years ago and her crew decided to celebrate the fact that it is no longer a teenager.
Taking time out of a busy schedule, the sailors mustered to mark the moment on board alongside in Devonport Naval Base. The logistics department produced a cake to match the event which was cut in style with a naval ceremonial sword by Warrant Officer2 Chats Harris and Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) Nick Pearce.
A rousing rendition of Happy Birthday then echoed round the junior rates dining hall before everyone moved in for a slice of the action.
Warrant Officer Harris is also celebrating – he has served 23 years in the Royal Navy. Engineering Technician Pearce was 20 years old in March and therefore, is the sailor on board closest to the age of the ship, while 16 of the crew were not even born when the ship was launched in 1992 by Lady Rifkind, wife of the then Secretary of State for Defence, Sir Malcolm Rifkind.
HMS Montrose is a Type 23 Duke Class frigate built at Yarrows on the Clyde and launched in 1992. She has a crew of 185 men and women. Although this class of frigate was designed primarily for the anti-submarine warfare role, the ship is now designated as a general purpose frigate and is fitted with a broad suite of the latest sonar, radar and communications systems.
HMS Montrose carries a Lynx helicopter and Sting Ray torpedo. Air defence is provided by a vertical launch Sea Wolf weapon system. Surface armaments include the Harpoon missile and the 4.5-inch gun for naval fire support.
