Skip to content
Recruiting now.Explore navy careers
Organisation / Units & Squadrons
HMS Somerset (F82)
Organisation / Units & Squadrons

HMS Somerset (F82)

HMS Somerset is a fast, versatile Type 23 frigate. Whether she’s escorting other vessels or training helicopter crews, she’s one of our hardest workers.

Role

HMS Somerset traces her history back three centuries, but it was in 2005 that she adopted her motto – ’Foy pour devoir’, which means faith for duty – from the Duke of Somerset, for whom she is named.

She’s a much-feted frigate, having won the Fleet Frigate Effectiveness Trophy more times than any other. She has been involved in an exciting span of operations including:

  • Seizing UK-bound cocaine with an potential street value of more than £500 million – the then biggest ever single haul of illegal drugs in the UK
  • Deploying to the Mediterranean to provide protection for the heads of governments attending conferences
  • Shadowing Russian naval destroyers through UK-waters
Somerset

Capability

HMS Somerset is a fast, adaptable, versatile frigate. She has been deployed 12 times on operations since she was commissioned, and her specialisms include:

  • Fleet Ready Escort tasking – she’s very proficient at closing non-NATO units in and around British waters at rapid speeds
  • Anti-submarine operations – equipped with the advanced 2087 Towed Array Sonar
  • Soft power strategy – she regularly hosts NATO summits and showcasing maritime power around the world
  • Closing non-NATO units – in and around British waters at rapid speeds
Duke class

Crew

Led by Commander Joel Roberts MBE, If you add up HMS Somerset's service so far, she could have steamed round the Earth 30 times since she was commissioned.

The crew is proud to have helped over 100 engineers of the future get qualified through the Engineering Training Squadron.

Unit history

1702

The first Somerset

Launches and sees action in Vigo Bay against the Spanish in 1702, serving as the flagship of Admiral Rooke – one of the most devastating naval victories of the age.
1702

The first Somerset

Launches and sees action in Vigo Bay against the Spanish in 1702, serving as the flagship of Admiral Rooke – one of the most devastating naval victories of the age.
1704

1702-4

Vigo 1702, Velez Malaga 1704.
1704

1702-4

Vigo 1702, Velez Malaga 1704.
1707

Surviving the Scillies

She was one of the survivors of the great disaster of the era when upwards of 2,000 sailors lost their lives as Sir Cloudesley Shovell’s fleet careered into rocks in the Scillies in 1707.
1707

Surviving the Scillies

She was one of the survivors of the great disaster of the era when upwards of 2,000 sailors lost their lives as Sir Cloudesley Shovell’s fleet careered into rocks in the Scillies in 1707.
1731

The second Somerset

The second Somerset, an 80-gun third rate, was launched in 1731.
1731

The second Somerset

The second Somerset, an 80-gun third rate, was launched in 1731.
1744

The Battle of Toulon

She took part in the Battle of Toulon, which saw a British blockading force fail to defeat a Franco-Spanish fleet off the Mediterranean port.
1744

The Battle of Toulon

She took part in the Battle of Toulon, which saw a British blockading force fail to defeat a Franco-Spanish fleet off the Mediterranean port.
1748

The third Somerset

The most famous ship to be named HMS Somerset was launched on 18 July 1748. Involved in the Seven Years War she played a key part in the capture both of Louisberg and Quebec.
1748

The third Somerset

The most famous ship to be named HMS Somerset was launched on 18 July 1748. Involved in the Seven Years War she played a key part in the capture both of Louisberg and Quebec.
1758

Battle honours

Louisburg 1758, Quebec 1759
1758

Battle honours

Louisburg 1758, Quebec 1759
1775

Battle of Bunker Hill

Somerset sees action at the victory of Bunker Hill in 1775. Among her ship’s company was the future Admiral Collingwood, Nelson’s deputy at Trafalgar.
1775

Battle of Bunker Hill

Somerset sees action at the victory of Bunker Hill in 1775. Among her ship’s company was the future Admiral Collingwood, Nelson’s deputy at Trafalgar.
1775

Battle of Bunker Hill

Somerset sees action at the victory of Bunker Hill in 1775. Among her ship’s company was the future Admiral Collingwood, Nelson’s deputy at Trafalgar.
1775

Battle of Bunker Hill

Somerset sees action at the victory of Bunker Hill in 1775. Among her ship’s company was the future Admiral Collingwood, Nelson’s deputy at Trafalgar.
1778

Loss of the third Somerset

The ship foundered off Cape Cod on 2 November 1778, when she ran aground whilst pursuing the French.
1778

Loss of the third Somerset

The ship foundered off Cape Cod on 2 November 1778, when she ran aground whilst pursuing the French.
1992

The fourth Somerset Ordered

The current ship began life in 1992, when she was commissioned from the Yarrow yard in Scotstoun on the Clyde.
1992

The fourth Somerset Ordered

The current ship began life in 1992, when she was commissioned from the Yarrow yard in Scotstoun on the Clyde.
1994

The fourth Somerset launches

She was launched in June 1994 before making her way to her home port of Devonport.
1999

Ghost ship

The wreckage of the third Somerset has occasionally been revealed over the centuries, since 1999 American enthusiasts have donned authentic uniforms bringing her marines back to life.
1999

Ghost ship

The wreckage of the third Somerset has occasionally been revealed over the centuries, since 1999 American enthusiasts have donned authentic uniforms bringing her marines back to life.
2005

New motto

She adopted her new motto - 'Foy pour devoir', which means 'faith for duty' - from the Duke of Somerset.
2005

New motto

She adopted her new motto - 'Foy pour devoir', which means 'faith for duty' - from the Duke of Somerset.
2014

HMS Somerset turns 20 at sea

Somerset and her seaboats Phantom and Spitfire celebrate their birthday by drawing the number 20 in the blue seas of the Mediterranean.
2014

HMS Somerset turns 20 at sea

Somerset and her seaboats Phantom and Spitfire celebrate their birthday by drawing the number 20 in the blue seas of the Mediterranean.
2015

Record cocaine bust

Cocaine with a street value of £500 million is seized following a joint NCA, Border Force and Royal Navy operation in the North Sea.
2015

Record cocaine bust

Cocaine with a street value of £500 million is seized following a joint NCA, Border Force and Royal Navy operation in the North Sea.

Follow HMS Somerset on X

@HMSSomerset
Follow us

Join the Surface Fleet

Ready to go places? A career in the Surface Fleet could take you all over the world - on missions as varied as the oceans we defend.

Featured roles