Cornwall-class

Summary

Description

HMS Cornwall was a Batch 3 Type 22 frigate of the Royal Navy, known as the first of its batch to be constructed and the last to be decommissioned. Its mission included various operational roles during its service, including acting as the lead ship of both the 8th and 2nd Frigate Squadrons. Cornwall had a rich service history marked with battle honours. Its origin traces back to being built by Yarrow Shipbuilders, launched by Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1985, and commissioned at Falmouth in 1988. The ship's design embodied the capabilities of its class, being a frigate intended for multiple naval duties.

The operational history of HMS Cornwall was extensive, involving deployments across the globe. She cruised the North and South Atlantic, the Adriatic, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Baltic Seas. Among her notable duties were patrols in the Persian Gulf and deployments to the Far East. In 1996, HMS Cornwall had the distinction of serving as the flagship of the First Sea Lord and during 2001 participated in the Royal Navy Task Force for the invasion of Afghanistan. Furthermore, she supported Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean in 2003. The frigate had the unique nickname "the Fighting Ice Cream" due to her pennant number F99.

Operating primarily from HMNB Devonport under the United Kingdom's flag, HMS Cornwall also developed various affiliations spanning military and civilian organizations. This helped build community relations and supported the larger tradition and culture of the Royal Navy.

Involvement in ceremonies included acting as flagship for the 1993 Battle of the Atlantic Fleet Review and offering a salute for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. The frigate also experienced a moment of international tension when fifteen of her sailors and Royal Marines were detained by Iranian forces in 2007.

HMS Cornwall was decommissioned on 30 June 2011 and later sold for demolition in July 2013. Her decommissioning pennant went to a museum, and her ship's bell was given to Truro Cathedral. There is provision for future ships named Cornwall to continue service traditions by visiting Truro and reinstating the bell should another affiliated ship come into service.

Technical specifications