(3rd May 2001)
HMS Portland Commissions
The penultimate Duke Class Type 23 Frigate, HMS Portland (F79), commissioned today at Devonport Dockyard as a fully operational member of the Sixth Frigate Squadron. Present at the commissioning ceremony was HMS Portland's sponsor Lady Brigstoke, wife of Admiral Sir John Brigstoke, a former Second Sea Lord.
HMS Portland was ordered from Yarrow Shipbuilders (now owned by BAE Marine) in 1996. She was laid down on January 14th 1998 and launched by Lady Brigstoke on May 15th 1999.
Portland will be joined in service next year by the sixteenth and final Duke Class Frigate, HMS St Albans (F83) which was launched on May 6th last year.