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HMS Portland (F79)
Organisation / Units & Squadrons

HMS Portland (F79)

HMS Portland is a Type 23 Duke Class frigate. Based at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, she was launched by Lady Heather Brigstocke on 15 May 1999.

Portland

Role

Led by Commander Matthew Court RN, HMS Portland is a Type 23 frigate – also known as the Duke Class, since all ships of the class are named after British dukes. Originally designed as anti-submarine vessels, Type 23 frigates have been used in a variety of other roles, from warfighting to maritime security operations.

The Type 23 frigate has now entered an extensive upgrade period to receive new radars, engines, and the cutting-edge Sea Ceptor missile system.

Duke class

Unit history

1653

Portland is born

The Portland story begins in 1653, she saw extensive action in wars with the Dutch and French. The ship was burned in 1692 near Malaga to prevent her falling into French hands.
1693

The Second Portland

The Portland name is resurrected in 1693. The vessel serves for 50 years, helping to recapture HMS Coventry from the French in 1709, before being broken up in 1743.
1744

The Third Portland

Portland number three was a 50-gunner which saw repeated action against the French in the Channel, Mediterranean and North America. She was sold out of the Navy in 1763.
1770

The Fourth Portland

The fourth Portland was launched in 1770. She had the distinction of carrying home Captain Cook’s vital journals and charts from his Pacific expedition.
1795

The Fifth Portland

The fifth Portland was a converted river barge purchased in 1795 and was briefly used to defend Plymouth during the Napoleonic Wars. She was sold in 1802.
1822

The Sixth Portland

The final Portland from the days of sail was a 52-gunner which spent 40 years in service, including a stint as flagship of the Pacific Station.
1941

The Seventh Portland

Portland number seven was to have been a Bangor-class minesweeper; she was still being built when she was captured from Hong Kong by the Japanese. She was sunk by the Americans in 1945.
1941

The Seventh Portland

Portland number seven was to have been a Bangor-class minesweeper; she was still being built when she was captured from Hong Kong by the Japanese. She was sunk by the Americans in 1945.

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