Dates: 1989 -

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.

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Monmouth

" Aircraft Carriers. Ship Name, Launch Date, Displacement, Total Crew. HMS Invincible 1977--22,000--1051. HMS Illustrious 197--22,000--1051. HMS Ark Royal 1981--22,000--1051. Amphibious Assault Ships Ship. HMS Ocean 1995--20,700--265. HMS Albion 2001--18,500--363. HMS Bulwark ..."

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" Defence Minister Bob Ainsworth says he is "busting a gut" to get more helicopters out to Afghanistan.  But Mr Ainsworth said it was not possible for "every single commander" to have "every single vehicle".  "It can’t be done, but we’ve got to reach for that," he said. He ..."

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" A FLOTILLA of old boats set sail for Dunkirk today to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the famous allied WWII rescue mission. The "little ships" set off from Ramsgate in Kent while veterans and their families were seen off from Dover by a Spitfire and Hurricane performing a fly-past. The ..."

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