UK: HMS Duncan to Visit Dundee

The Royal Navy’s newest ship, HMS Duncan, will visit her adopted city of Dundee this weekend (December 6-9)

A state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyer, it is just over two months since HMS Duncan, the sixth and last of the Daring-Class destroyers, joined her five sisters as a commissioned member of the Royal Navy’s Fleet.

And one of her first official appointments is to visit her twin city – once the home of the man whose name she now bears, Admiral Adam Duncan, who, in 1797, defeated the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Camperdown; a name which still resonates in the city with a park, house and street all harking back to this famous victory.

Berthed alongside at King George V Wharf close to the city centre, HMS Duncan will arrive early on Friday morning.

Her busy weekend programme kicks off almost immediately with the first of many tours for schools later the same morning. These are followed later in the day by a special capability demonstration on board the ship for invited civic dignitaries and other guests.

But it is on Saturday and Sunday when Dundee’s people will get a chance to go on board their impressive ship.

Opening her gangway to all from 11am to 3pm on both days, HMS Duncan’s crew members will be on hand to guide visitors around her decks, chatting to them about the role of HMS Duncan at the heart of the Royal Navy, as well as their experiences in the Senior Service protecting our nation’s interests – at home and further afield.

Access is free and access will be available on foot from the King George V Wharf Road Gate, next to the Dundee Sea Cadet Centre, on East Camperdown Street (DD1 3LG)

There is plentiful parking available on East Camperdown Street.

Both days will also see further groups of young people and interested organisations enjoying short tours on board.

And, on Saturday evening, the ship’s company will be hosted by the city at a special reception in Dundee City Chambers in the evening – an honour which they are looking forward to with great pride as an opportunity to further strengthen ties with their twin city.

“This is our first visit to our adopted city and it is fitting that it is one of our first destinations since being formally accepted into the Fleet in September,” said Commander James Stride, HMS Duncan’s Commanding Officer. “She has now proved herself at sea and is operating alongside her other five sisters.

“I am hugely proud to be the first Commanding Officer to bring her to Dundee, the ship’s name alone has great resonance in this area. My ship’s company and I feel extremely privileged to be affiliated to such an historic maritime city and are honoured to have been invited by the Lord Provost and Dundee City Council to a special reception at the City Chambers.

“Duncan is a tangible reminder of one the Royal Navy’s great commanders and the significant battle won.

“We are also particularly looking forward to welcoming visitors on board during our visit – especially when the ship opens to the public on Saturday and Sunday.”

Lord Provost of Dundee Bob Duncan said: “I am delighted to welcome the officers and crew of HMS Duncan to the City of Dundee for their first visit to the vessel’s spiritual home.

“I am sure that everyone involved with the ship will enjoy their time in the city and that this visit will be the first of many in the years to come.”

Schools and colleges included in the visit programme include Perth Academy, Crieff High School, Montrose Academy, High School of Dundee, Angus College and Dundee College. Dundee Sea Cadets will also get a chance to visit, as will members of Dundee, and Perth & District Royal Naval Association, a group from the Friends of Camperdown House and employers of Royal Naval and Royal Marines Reservists in the Dundee area.

Admiral Adam Duncan was born in Lundie, Angus in 1731 and his father Alexander Duncan was Provost of Dundee. Admiral Duncan was educated in Dundee before joining the Royal Navy in 1746. His most famous victory was the Battle of Camperdown in 1797 (see historical note at the end of this release for more details). His house and estate form Camperdown Park – a cherished area in the city of Dundee

Destroyers are part of the backbone of the Royal Navy, committed around the world 365 days a year hunting pirates, drug runners or submarines, defending the Fleet from air attack, and providing humanitarian aid after natural disasters – indeed HMS Duncan’s sister, HMS Daring, has recently been involved in relief operations in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.

HMS Duncan is the sixth and last of Britain’s six Type 45 destroyers which are the most advanced warships the nation has ever built. Their mission is to shield the Fleet from air attack using the state-of-the-art Sea Viper missile system.

The Type 45s can also be used as general-purpose warships; they have huge flight decks to accommodate helicopters up to the size of a Chinook. There’s enough space on board to host a Royal Marines detachment up to 60-men strong.

HMS Duncan was launched at BAE’s Govan yard on the Clyde in 2010 and was commissioned into the Fleet in September this year.

The ship will leave Dundee on Monday December 9.

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Press Release, December 09, 2013; Image: Royal Navy