There should be an HMS Duke of Edinburgh!

I had the letter below published in the Western Daily Press on June 3.

Name frigate after Duke of Edinburgh.

The Royal Navy’s new Type 31 frigates will be known as the Inspiration Class.

The Duke of Edinburgh was an inspiration in peace and war. I suggest it would be especially appropriate to name one of these vessels after him.

Steve Wright, Somerset.

I was flattered to see that my letter brought forth this interesting response from Chris Cope, published in the Western Daily Press on June 8.

Navy has already chosen frigate names.

Whereas I agree with Steve Wright (June 3) that one of the type 31 frigates should be named after Prince Philip, unfortunately, the Navy has already selected the names, which have been approved by the Queen.

And apart from the last two, a very uninspiring selection of names they are: Active, Venturer, Cambeltown, Bulldog and Formidable.

However, seeing that these £400million frigates will be lightly armed – not much reassurance if you are serving on board and find you have been despatched to the Persian Gulf – even Bulldog and Formidable hardly seem appropriate.  As for HMS Duke of Edinburgh, the 7 type 26 frigate will be HMS Edinburgh.

Chris Cope, Political Correspondent, Warship World Magazine.

 

I did know that the type 31 frigates had already been named, and that a type 26 frigate is to be named HMS Edinburgh, but it is not unknown for the RN to change the name of a ship before, and sometimes after, launch.

Be that as it may, Mr Cope’s comments on their names and designed armament are interesting – and illuminating!

Incidentally, both these letters were also published in the Western Morning News.