Frigate HMS Cumberland joins Navy Days Line-Up
Royal Navy Type 22 frigate HMS Cumberland, who last year undertook a successful anti-piracy patrol in the Indian Ocean, has joined the growing list of top attractions at Portsmouth Navy Days.
HMS Cumberland, which is based at Devonport, will be opened up to the public for the three-day event which starts on July 30 at Portsmouth Naval Base. It will be a rare chance for people to see a Type 22 frigate as there are just four left in service and all are based in Plymouth.
HMS Cumberland returned home from anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia in December 2009 and has since taken part in Exercise Joint Warrior off the coast of Scotland. Forming part of an international coalition task group spearheaded by HMS Ark Royal, she took part in a scenario of a territorial dispute which escalated into war between fictional regional powers.
Captain Paul Lemkes, Deputy Naval Base Commander said: “We are delighted that HMS Cumberland is able to join us for Navy Days at the end of the month. It will provide a rare opportunity for people, particularly those in the local area, to visit a Type 22 frigate and explore her capabilities.”
Other attractions at the popular event will include Type 45 destroyers HMS Daring and Dauntless - among the most powerful warships in the world, Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus – a aviation training and casualty receiving ship with an onboard hospital, and two Type 23 frigates, minehunter HMS Cattistock and fisheries patrol vessel HMS Tyne. Unfortunately, due to operational reasons, French ship FS Cormoran has had to pull out of this line-up.
Harbour displays include the Royal Navy Black Cats helicopter display team, a Royal Marines fast roping demonstration and the RN Historic Flight. Arena shows include field gun displays and the Royal Marines Band, Portsmouth.
Navy Days 2010 promises to be one of the most popular events on the South Coast this summer, featuring serving warships of the Royal Navy, thrilling naval displays, historical re-enactments and the world-class attractions of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860.
Visitors are encouraged to use the Portsmouth Park & Ride Service at Lakeside North Harbour in Portsmouth (signposted from the M27). It will be operating for all three days and the first bus will depart Lakeside North Harbour at 9am and the last bus will depart from The Hard at 7pm. The cost is £2.50 per car and up to 7 passengers.
Further details are available on www.navydaysuk.co.uk
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Note to editors:
HMS Cumberland is the second of four Batch 3 Type 22 frigates and the sixteenth ship of the name. Cumberland 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 North Africa, the Arctic, Sabang and Burma. The ship is affiliated to the County of Cumbria, formerly Cumberland, and is a proud "Ambassador for Cumbria".
