HMS Dragon (D 35) – the fourth of the Royal Navy’s new powerful Type 45 destroyers – has been formally
commissioned into the fleet today. Hundreds of guests including families of the 190 ship’s company
attended a colourful ‘Christening’ ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base
which marks the ship’s transition into front-line service.
Reflecting the ship’s strong Welsh connections (the ship is affiliated
to the city of Cardiff), among the principal guests was Secretary of
State for Wales, the Rt Hon C. Gillan. Also present were S.
Boissier - the ship’s sponsor who launched the vessel at BAE Systems’
Govan shipyard on the River Clyde in November 2008 - and Second Sea
Lord, Vice Admiral C. Montgomery. The ceremony was conducted by the Venerable S. Brown, Chaplain of the Fleet. (Source: Royal Navy)
