HMS Westminster (F237)

HMS "Westminster" (F237) is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy, and the second ship to bear the name. She was launched on 4 February 1992.

HMS "Westminster" was used for the interior shots in the 1997 James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies" in three different roles - as HMS "Chester", HMS "Devonshire" and HMS "Bedford". For the exterior shots a model was constructed.

In 2004, HMS "Westminster" was assigned one of the Royal Navy's first Merlin helicopters. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/3763248.stm BBC NEWS | England | Cornwall | Last Merlin squadron commissioned ] ] Also in 2004, the ship was the first to be fitted with new state-of-the-art sonar technology designed to detect the most advanced submarines. The technology is controversial as its effects on marine wildlife remain unclear. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4037079.stm BBC NEWS | Scotland | New sonar protection for warships ] ]

In December 2005, the ship's company of HMS "Westminster" were all granted Freedom of the City of London. 200 naval officers in full ceremonial uniform paraded through the streets of London from Westminster Abbey to Horse Guards as part of the celebration service. HMS "Westminster" was chosen as a very rare recognition of her contributions to Westminster schools, local charities and the community as a whole. The honour entitles the crew the freedom to "parade through the City on all ceremonial occasions in full panoply and with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed". [ [http://www.westminster.gov.uk/councilgovernmentanddemocracy/councils/pressoffice/news/archive/pr-3028.cfm HMS Westminster crew granted Freedom of the City ] ]

She was deployed to Burma in May 2008 to spearhead the British relief effort after Cyclone Nargis devastated the country, but later had to withdraw after the junta refused to grant permission for aid to be landed. [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12759/changeNav/6568]

Affiliations

*Duke of Westminster
*City of Westminster
*Worshipful Company of Fanmakers
*Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
*The Queen's Own Yeomanry
*Westminster Abbey Choir School
*Churchers College Royal Navy CCF Section
*City of London School Royal Navy CCF Section
*Southgate and Barnet Sea Cadet Unit
*Haringey and Enfield Sea Cadet Unit
*University of London Royal Naval Unit
*The Parliamentary Maritime Group
*Westminster Underground Station
*National Westminster Bank (Westminster branch)

References

External links

* [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/conWebDoc.176/changeNav/3533 HMS Westminster home page]
* [http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.1364 HMS Westminster home information page]

Gallery