Royal Navy Frigate coming to Cayman

The Royal Navy’s HMS Cumberland

Commanding Officer, Captain Simon Ancona

The crew on board HMS Cumberland

Friday,  August 26, 2005

One of the most powerfully-armed frigates in the Royal Navy, will be making a recreational visit to Grand Cayman next week.

HMS Cumberland, is under the Command of Captain Simon Ancona, and his crew of 243 men and women in the ship’s company, as well as 25 officers.

This is the 16th Royal Navy vessel to bear this name – the first ever Cumberland was launched over three hundred years ago in 1695 and was an 80 gun ship.

It is the second of four Batch 3 Type 22 frigates and was built on the Clyde by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd and subsequently commissioned in her base port of Devonport in June 1989.

The present HMS Cumberland has deployed worldwide continuing a distinguished history. During World War Two, four battle honours were awarded to the previous Cumberland in recognition of operations in N.Africa, the Arctic, Sabang and Burma.

The ship is affiliated to the County of Cumbria, formerly Cumberland, and is a proud “Ambassador for Cumbria”. The Ship’s motto is ‘Tenacious of Justice’.

HMS Cumberland set sail for a four-month deployment to the Caribbean region from Plymouth at the beginning of the month.

The ship is here to police the waters and carry out disaster relief should the crew be called into action during the hurricane season.

The ship has also been carrying out anti-drug patrols looking out in particular to stop ‘go fasts’ which are small very fast speedboats typically used by drug runners around the Caribbean.

During the ship and crew’s respite the captain will make courtesy calls to H.E the Governor Bruce Dinwiddy and other senior officials.

The customary reception will also be held, and sailors are expected to be participating in a number of football and rugby matches with local teams as as well as other recreational activities.

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