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HMS Somerset is a fast, versatile Type 23 frigate. Whether she’s escorting Russian craft or training helicopter crews, she’s one of our hardest workers.
Somerset’s motto is ‘Foy pour devoir’ – Faith for Duty. If you add up her service so far, HMS Somerset 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.
Engineers trained
Total length
Top speed
HMS Somerset is a fast, adaptable, versatile frigate. She has been deployed 12 times on operations since she was commissioned, and her specialisms include:
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Putting our craft, kit and people through their paces so they perform to the highest standards.
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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:
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.
Vigo 1702, Velez Malaga 1704.
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.
The second Somerset, an 80-gun third rate, was launched in 1731.
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.
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.
Louisburg 1758, Quebec 1759
The third ship is better remembered for her role in the American Wars of Independence thanks to a famous poem by the great Henry Longfellow, 'Paul Revere’s Ride'.
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.
The ship foundered off Cape Cod on 2 November 1778, when she ran aground whilst pursuing the French.
The current ship began life in 1992, when she was commissioned from the Yarrow yard in Scotstoun on the Clyde.
She was launched in June 1994 before making her way to her home port of Devonport.
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.
She adopted her new motto - 'Foy pour devoir', which means 'faith for duty' - from the Duke of Somerset.
Somerset and her seaboats Phantom and Spitfire celebrate their birthday by drawing the number 20 in the blue seas of the Mediterranean.
Cocaine with a street value of £500 million is seized following a joint NCA, Border Force and Royal Navy operation in the North Sea.
From divers to chefs, musicians to engineers, there’s a whole world of career options with the Royal Navy. Join us to be part of something special, protecting our nation’s interests, all over the world.
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