HMS Somerset | Royal Navy

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 the she is named. She’s a much-feted frigate, having won the Fleet Frigate Effectiveness trophy more times than any other.

She is a Royal Navy Type 23 Duke Class Towed Array Frigate employed primarily as an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Vessel. Tasking includes:

Protecting the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD)
Fleet Ready Escort (FRE): Homeland defence - and she’s very proficient at closing non-NATO units in and around British Waters at rapid speeds to ensure UK interests are protected
Maritime task Groups (MTG): Task Group (TG) Operations and Aircraft Carrier Defence

Capability

HMS Somerset is a fast and versatile Type 23 Towed Array Frigate with the following capabilities:

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) - using her extensive suite of sonars, including the advanced submarine hunting Sonar 2087, and a torpedo suite known as the Magazine Torpedo Launch System (MTLS)
Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) - using her 4.5 Inch Medium Calibre gun, 30mm Automatic Small Calibre Guns and the long range Naval Strike Missile System
Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) / Local air defence - using her Sea Ceptor Missile System
A long range capable EH101 Merlin Helicopter, with ASW and ASuW capabilities, used for maritime patrol and interdiction
Defence Engagement utilising soft power strategy, regularly hosting or supporting NATO Summits and supporting Allied Nations by showcasing maritime power and influence around the world

Duke class

Crew

Currently Commanded by Commander Matt Millyard who joined HMS Somerset in Jul 2025.

He leads a crew of in excess of 175 Officers and Ratings from the UK and Commonwealth, to deliver the high standard the Royal Navy expects for all Operational Tasking.

This means that the Commanding Officer and crew regularly spend periods away from their loved ones to ensure HMS SOMERSET delivers whenever called upon, to protect UK Interests, worldwide.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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