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Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Devonport (HMS Drake
HMS Drake

Nineteen ships and a shore establishment of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Drake after Sir Francis Drake or after the European dragon:...
), is one of three UK operating bases for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British Armed Forces . From the mid-18th century until well into the 20th century, it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the early 1940s....
 (the others being HMNB Clyde
HMNB Clyde

Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde is one of three UK operating bases for the Royal Navy . It is the service's headquarters in Scotland and is best known as the home of the United Kingdom UK Trident programme-armed nuclear submarine force....
 and HMNB Portsmouth
HMNB Portsmouth

Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth , is one of three operating bases for the Royal Navy . Portsmouth naval base is located on the eastern shore of Portsmouth Harbour and is part of the city of Portsmouth and is situated north of the Solent and Isle of Wight....
). HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport
Devonport, Devon

Devonport, formerly named Plymouth Dock or just Dock, is a district of Plymouth in the England county of Devon, although it was, at one time, the more important settlement....
, in the west of the city of Plymouth
Plymouth

Plymouth is a City status in the United Kingdom and unitary authority on the coast of Devon, England, about south west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers River Plym to the east and River Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound....
 in Devon
Devon

Devon is a large Counties of England in South West England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name, rarely used inside of the county but often indicating a shire....
, England
England

native_name =|conventional_long_name = England|common_name = England|image_flag = Flag of England.svg|image_coat = England COA.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms...
. It is the largest naval base in Western Europe
Western Europe

Western Europe refers to the countries in the western most half of Europe. This concept has had different meanings, political and cultural as well as geographical issues have influenced the area....
 and is the sole nuclear repair and refuelling facility for the Royal Navy.






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Devonport Dockyard in 1909 Plan
Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Devonport (HMS Drake
HMS Drake

Nineteen ships and a shore establishment of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Drake after Sir Francis Drake or after the European dragon:...
), is one of three UK operating bases for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British Armed Forces . From the mid-18th century until well into the 20th century, it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the early 1940s....
 (the others being HMNB Clyde
HMNB Clyde

Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde is one of three UK operating bases for the Royal Navy . It is the service's headquarters in Scotland and is best known as the home of the United Kingdom UK Trident programme-armed nuclear submarine force....
 and HMNB Portsmouth
HMNB Portsmouth

Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth , is one of three operating bases for the Royal Navy . Portsmouth naval base is located on the eastern shore of Portsmouth Harbour and is part of the city of Portsmouth and is situated north of the Solent and Isle of Wight....
). HMNB Devonport is located in Devonport
Devonport, Devon

Devonport, formerly named Plymouth Dock or just Dock, is a district of Plymouth in the England county of Devon, although it was, at one time, the more important settlement....
, in the west of the city of Plymouth
Plymouth

Plymouth is a City status in the United Kingdom and unitary authority on the coast of Devon, England, about south west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers River Plym to the east and River Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound....
 in Devon
Devon

Devon is a large Counties of England in South West England. The county is also referred to as Devonshire, but that is an entirely unofficial name, rarely used inside of the county but often indicating a shire....
, England
England

native_name =|conventional_long_name = England|common_name = England|image_flag = Flag of England.svg|image_coat = England COA.svg|symbol_type = Royal Coat of Arms...
. It is the largest naval base in Western Europe
Western Europe

Western Europe refers to the countries in the western most half of Europe. This concept has had different meanings, political and cultural as well as geographical issues have influenced the area....
 and is the sole nuclear repair and refuelling facility for the Royal Navy. The collocated Royal Dockyard is owned and operated by the Marine division of Babcock International Group
Babcock International Group

Babcock International Group plc is a British-based support services company specialising in mobilising its engineering expertise to assist its customers in managing complex assets and infrastructure in safety-critical and mission-critical environments....
 (BM), who took over the previous owner Devonport Management Limited
Devonport Management Limited

DML is the consortium which owns and manages HMNB Devonport, the largest dockyard in Western Europe. DML is currently owned by Babcock International Group who purchased it from previous owners; Kellogg, Brown and Root , Balfour Beatty and Weir Group ....
 (DML) in 2007. The BM operation is commonly called Devonport Dockyard.

In 2006 the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)

The Ministry of Defence is the Departments of the United Kingdom Government responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
 announced that a review would be undertaken to examine the future of the three naval bases. The Naval Base Review was seeking to examine the long term future needs of the Royal Navy, with the most likely outcome being either retaining the three current naval bases, but with reduced capacity in each, or closing one of the two on the south coast of England. The results of the review, released in 2007, have stipulated no base closures.

HM Naval Base Devonport is the home port of the Devonport Flotilla which includes the largest ship in the Royal Navy HMS Ocean
HMS Ocean (L12)

HMS Ocean of the Royal Navy is an Amphibious assault ship , the sole member of her class. She is designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff of Commander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force....
 and the Trafalgar Class submarines
Trafalgar class submarine

The Trafalgar class submarines are, until the introduction of the Astute class submarine, the Royal Navy most advanced nuclear fleet submarines ....
.

History

In 1689 Prince William of Orange became William III
William III of England

William III was a Prince of Orange by birth. From 1672 onwards, he governed as List_of_stadtholders_for_the_Low_Countries_provinces William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic....
 and almost immediately he required the building of a new dockyard. The town of Plymouth he dismissed as inadequate. A few miles around the coast from Plymouth, on the Hamoaze
Hamoaze

The Hamoaze is an estuary stretch of water at the point where the tidal River Tamar, the River Tavy, and the River Lynher meet, prior to entering Plymouth Sound....
, which is a section of the River Tamar
River Tamar

The Tamar is a river in south western England, that forms most of the border between Devon and Cornwall . At its mouth, the Tamar flows into the Hamoaze where it joins with the River Lynher before entering Plymouth Sound....
, a suitable plot of land was identified in the parish of Stoke Damerel (a.k.a. Devonport). Construction of 'Dock in Hamoaze' began in 1691.

Today

Devonport Dockyard
The Royal Navy Dockyard
Royal Navy Dockyard

Dockyards of the Royal Navy are harbours where either commissioned ships are based, or where ships are overhauled and refitted. Historically, the RN maintained a string of dockyards around the world, although few are now operating today....
 consists of 14 dry docks (Docks Numbered 1 to 15, but there is no 13 Dock) , four miles (6km) of waterfront, 25 tidal berths, five basins and an area of 650 acres (2.6 kmē). It is the base for seven of the Trafalgar class
Trafalgar class submarine

The Trafalgar class submarines are, until the introduction of the Astute class submarine, the Royal Navy most advanced nuclear fleet submarines ....
 nuclear powered hunter killer submarines and the main refitting base for all Royal Navy nuclear submarines. Work was completed by Carillion in 2002 to build a refitting dock to support the Vanguard class
Vanguard class submarine

The Vanguard class are the Royal Navy's current nuclear ballistic missile submarines , each armed with up to 16 Trident missile Submarine-launched ballistic missiles ....
 Trident missile
Trident missile

The Trident missile is a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle submarine-launched ballistic missile designed by Lockheed Martin Space Systems in the United States which is armed with nuclear weapons and is launched from Ballistic missile submarines, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines....
 nuclear ballistic missile submarines.

Locals and tourists have long been able to visit the Dockyard during "Navy Days," a three day event where visitors can tour the facility, go aboard active naval ships and watch various displays of naval prowess. Among the most popular attractions is the nuclear powered submarine HMS Courageous
HMS Courageous (S50)

HMS Courageous was a nuclear fleet submarine in service with the Royal Navy from 1971.In 1982, the Courageous was sent with her sister ship, the , with the British task force to retake the Falkland Islands from the occupying Argentine forces....
, used in the Falklands War
Falklands War

The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict/Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands....
.

Devonport serves as headquarters for Flag Officer Sea Training
Flag Officer Sea Training

Flag Officer Sea Training has been a world centre of excellence in the Royal Navy for Naval basic and advanced operational training since 1958....
, which is responsible for the training of all the ships of the Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a component of the Naval Service that keeps the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom running around the world. Its main function is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel and supplies....
, along with many from foreign naval services.

Devonport Flotilla

Ships based at the port are known as the Devonport Flotilla. This includes the Navy's assault ships HMS Ocean
HMS Ocean (L12)

HMS Ocean of the Royal Navy is an Amphibious assault ship , the sole member of her class. She is designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff of Commander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force....
, HMS Albion
HMS Albion (L14)

The ninth and current HMS Albion is a First-of-Class Landing Platform Dock ship of the Royal Navy built in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, UK....
 and HMS Bulwark
HMS Bulwark (L15)

HMS Bulwark is an Albion class landing platform dock landing platform dock, the United Kingdom's newest class of Amphibious warfare Naval ship and built in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, UK....
. It also serves as home port to most of the hydrographic survey
Hydrographic survey

Hydrographic survey in its strictest sense is the process of gathering information about navigable waters for the purposes of safe navigation of vessels....
ing fleet of the Royal Navy and a substantial number of Type 22
Type 22 frigate

The Type 22 Broadsword class is a ship class of frigate built for the Royal Navy. Fourteen of the class were built in total, with production divided into three batches....
 and Type 23
Type 23 frigate

The Type 23 frigate is a ship class of frigate serving with the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. All the ships are named after List of dukes in the peerages of the British Isles, thus the class is also known as the Duke class....
 frigates. The current Commodore
Commodore (Royal Navy)

Commodore is a rank of the Royal Navy above Captain and below Rear Admiral. It is equivalent to a 1 star rank and has a NATO ranking code of OF-6....
 of the Devonport Flotilla is Commodore Peter Walpole ADC who assumed command in September 2005.

Amphibious assault ships
Amphibious assault ship

An amphibious assault ship is a type of helicopter carrier employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an Amphibious warfare....

  • HMS Ocean
    HMS Ocean (L12)

    HMS Ocean of the Royal Navy is an Amphibious assault ship , the sole member of her class. She is designed to support amphibious landing operations and to support the staff of Commander UK Amphibious Force and Commander UK Landing Force....
     Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH)
  • HMS Albion
    HMS Albion (L14)

    The ninth and current HMS Albion is a First-of-Class Landing Platform Dock ship of the Royal Navy built in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, UK....
     Landing Platform Dock (LPD)
  • HMS Bulwark
    HMS Bulwark (L15)

    HMS Bulwark is an Albion class landing platform dock landing platform dock, the United Kingdom's newest class of Amphibious warfare Naval ship and built in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England, UK....
     Landing Platform Dock (LPD)


Type 22 frigates
Type 22 frigate

The Type 22 Broadsword class is a ship class of frigate built for the Royal Navy. Fourteen of the class were built in total, with production divided into three batches....

  • HMS Campbeltown
    HMS Campbeltown (F86)

    HMS Campbeltown is a Type 22 frigate of the Royal Navy. Built by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead, she was part of the third batch of Type 22s, which were considerably larger than their predecessors and incorporated more advanced weapon after lessons learnt from the Falklands War....
  • HMS Cornwall
    HMS Cornwall (F99)

    The sixth and present HMS Cornwall is the first of the Batch 3 Type 22 frigate frigates of the Royal Navy. Cornwall is based at HMNB Devonport in Devon, England, part of the Devonport Flotilla....
  • HMS Chatham
    HMS Chatham (F87)

    HMS Chatham is a Type 22 frigate of the Royal Navy. She was guardship to the Royal Yacht Britannia when she withdrew from Hong Kong in 1997 ....
  • HMS Cumberland
    HMS Cumberland (F85)

    HMS Cumberland is a Type 22 frigate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1986 and commissioned on 10 June 1989. The frigate was on station during the First Gulf War....


Type 23 frigates
Type 23 frigate

The Type 23 frigate is a ship class of frigate serving with the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. All the ships are named after List of dukes in the peerages of the British Isles, thus the class is also known as the Duke class....

  • HMS Argyll
    HMS Argyll (F231)

    The third and current HMS Argyll is a Type 23 frigate 'Duke' Class frigate. She was laid down in March 1987 by Yarrow Shipbuilders at Glasgow, launched in 1989 by Wendy Levene, and commissioned in May 1991....
  • HMS Monmouth
    HMS Monmouth (F235)

    HMS Monmouth is the sixth Type 23 frigate frigate of the Royal Navy. She is the seventh ship to bear the name and was launched by Lady Eaton in 1991, being commissioned two years later....
  • HMS Montrose
    HMS Montrose (F236)

    The second and current HMS Montrose is the eighth of a sixteen ship class of frigates, known as Type 23 frigate or the Duke class, of the Royal Navy....
  • HMS Northumberland
    HMS Northumberland (F238)

    HMS Northumberland is a Type 23 frigate frigate of the Royal Navy. She is named after the Duke of Northumberland. She is based at HMNB Devonport and her present captain is Commander Martin Simpson....
  • HMS Portland
    HMS Portland (F79)

    HMS Portland is a Type 23 frigate frigate of the Royal Navy. She is the HMS Portland to bear the name and is the fifteenth ship in the Duke class of frigates....
  • HMS Somerset
    HMS Somerset (F82)

    HMS Somerset is a Type 23 frigate frigate of the Royal Navy.HMS Somerset is the eleventh of the class to join the fleet since 1989. She was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd on the river Clyde, in Scotland and was launched in June 1994 by Lady Elspeth Layard, wife of then 2nd Sea Lord Admiral and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Comman...
  • HMS Sutherland
    HMS Sutherland (F81)

    HMS Sutherland is a Type 23 frigate frigate of the Royal Navy. She is the thirteenth ship in the Duke class of frigates and is the third ship to bear the name, more than 200 years since the name was last used....


Trafalgar class submarines
Trafalgar class submarine

The Trafalgar class submarines are, until the introduction of the Astute class submarine, the Royal Navy most advanced nuclear fleet submarines ....

  • HMS Trafalgar
    HMS Trafalgar (S107)

    HMS Trafalgar is a Trafalgar class submarine of the Royal Navy.After Operation Veritas, the attack on Al-Qaeda and Taliban forces following the 9/11 attacks in the United States, Trafalgar entered Plymouth Sound flying the Jolly Roger on 1 March 2002....
  • HMS Turbulent
    HMS Turbulent (S87)

    HMS Turbulent is a Trafalgar class submarine of the Royal Navy built by Vickers Shipbuilding, Barrow-in-Furness.Turbulent went through her modernisation and first nuclear refuel in 1997....
  • HMS Tireless
    HMS Tireless (S88)

    HMS Tireless , a Trafalgar class submarine, is the second submarine of the Royal Navy to bear this name. She was ship naming and launching in March 1984, sponsored by Mrs Sue Squires, wife of Admiral 'Tubby' Squires, and ship commissioning in October 1985....
  • HMS Torbay
    HMS Torbay (S90)

    HMS Torbay is a Trafalgar class submarine of the Royal Navy.HMS Torbay was the first vessel to be fitted with the new command system SMCS#SMCS-NG.3B_controversy_about_system_architecture , which meant that she was also the first Royal Navy vessel to put to sea under the "command" of the Microsoft Windows operating system....
  • HMS Trenchant
    HMS Trenchant (S91)

    HMS Trenchant is a Trafalgar class submarine built by Vickers Shipbuilding, Barrow-in-Furness.HMS Trenchant tested the non-hull-penetrating optronic mast in 1998....
  • HMS Talent
    HMS Talent (S92)

    HMS Talent is a Trafalgar class submarine of the Royal Navy.She is the sixth of seven Trafalgar class hunter killer submarines, built by Barrow-in-Furness, HMS Talent was launched by Anne, Princess Royal in April 1988 and commissioned in May 1990....
  • HMS Triumph
    HMS Triumph (S93)

    The current HMS Triumph is a Trafalgar class submarine of the Royal Navy.The boat was laid down in 1987 by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited and launched in February 1991 by Mrs....


Surveying squadron

  • HMS Echo
    HMS Echo (H87)

    HMS Echo is the first of two multi-role hydrography survey ships commissioned by the Royal Navy. With her sister ship, , they form the Echo class survey ship of survey vessels....
  • HMS Enterprise
    HMS Enterprise (H88)

    HMS Enterprise , the tenth ship to bear this name, is a multi-role Survey vessel of the Royal Navy. She has a sister ship, .Built by Appledore Shipbuilders under the prime contractor Vosper Thornycroft, Enterprise was ship naming and launching on 27 April 2002, officially named by the ship's sponsor, Lady Sally Forbes, at her namin...
  • HMS Gleaner
    HMS Gleaner (H86)

    HMSML Gleaner is the smallest commissioned vessel in the Royal Navy with a ship's company of 8 . She is based in HMNB Devonport, Plymouth. The ship prefix HMSML stands for Her Majesty's Survey Motor Launch....
  • HMS Roebuck
    HMS Roebuck (H130)

    HMS Roebuck is a coastal survey vessel of the Royal Navy . She was commissioned in 1986, and was the last traditional survey ship to join the fleet....
  • HMS Scott
    HMS Scott (H131)

    HMS Scott is an Ocean Survey Vessel of the Royal Navy, and the only vessel of her class. She is the third Royal Navy ship to carry the name, and the second to be named after the Antarctica explorer, Robert Falcon Scott....


Navy Days

Navy Days happens once every two years when for three days at the end of August a large percentage of Devonport Dockyard is open to the general public. There is an opportunity to view the facilities at the naval base as well as the large number of Royal Navy and allied naval vessels present. There are a large number of stands and displays present which provide a large amount of information on some of the less well known aspects of the Royal Navy, for example the Royal Navy submarine rescue service.

External links

  • , the owner of the dockyard