Navy frigate “The Saint” returns to sea after £25 million refit
The rededication ceremony of HMS St Albans was held in Portsmouth - Credit: Photo supplied
A 3,500 tonne seafaring “saint” has returned to patrolling the UK’s shores after undergoing a £25 million upgrade.
Local dignitaries have attended a rededication ceremony for Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans, a Portsmouth-based warship.
The frigate is associated with the city of St Albans, and principally affiliated to the current Duke of St Albans, who lives in London.
The ship, dubbed “The Saint” by her company, has been out of action for more than a year during the refit which includes a new main gun known as the Kryten – named after the Red Dwarf character with similarly rigid features.
The latest version of Seawolf, the ship’s shield against air attack, has also been fitted.
At the Portsmouth Naval Base ceremony attended by hundreds of guests, St Albans Mayor Cllr Geoff Harrison wished the ship’s 150-strong company the “best of luck as they embark on their new tour of duty”.
The service was led by Richard Watson, Sub Dean of St Albans Cathedral.
Most Read
- 1 Harpenden neighbours condemn plans for builders merchant next to residential properties
- 2 Train timetable shakeup due in St Albans and Watford from May 15
- 3 Woman found in canal near M25 in Hertfordshire
- 4 Nearly 100 motorway cameras upgraded to catch drivers who flout red X rules
- 5 Tomorrow's lunar eclipse: How and when to see it
- 6 Revealed: Most popular Deliveroo takeaway dishes in St Albans
- 7 Police ‘concerned’ as 25-year-old goes missing from Stevenage
- 8 FULL RESULTS: Lib Dem landslide in St Albans council elections
- 9 7 places where you can tuck into a carvery in Hertfordshire
- 10 Medals, fast times and great performances for St Albans swimmers at championships
Among the ship’s company taking part in the ceremony was Able Seaman Michael Nolan, 20, who joined the Navy after leaving Oaklands College in St Albans and has been on board the frigate for just seven weeks.
He said: “Serving on board what I consider to be my home-town warship is a great honour and makes today even more special.”