Farewell to the Black Duke – HMS Monmouth Retires

As we skim serenely down the Wye in our carbon-fibre shells, spare a thought for a very different kind of vessel that once proudly bore our town’s name – the Royal Navy’s HMS Monmouth, affectionately known as "The Black Duke".

After over three decades of service, including deployments across the globe and more sea miles than most of us rack up on the M4, HMS Monmouth has officially been retired and sold for recycling in 2025. A Type 23 frigate – the sixth of her class – she was originally built for one thing: to chase submarines during the Cold War. Think of her as the maritime version of a particularly determined cox – single-minded, relentless, and not to be messed with.

She wasn’t just any ship, either. Monmouth held the unique honour in the Royal Navy of flying a black flag and bearing black name plates – a nod to her namesake, James Scott, the Duke of Monmouth (aka “The Black Duke”), who has no shortage of dramatic history himself. We rowers might like a bit of flair in our kit, but even we’d think twice before adopting such a brooding colour scheme.

The town and the ship forged a strong bond. In 2004, we awarded HMS Monmouth the Freedom of Monmouth – and no, that didn’t mean free drinks at the Punch House (though we suspect a few sailors tried their luck). It was a ceremonial honour, acknowledging the ship’s proud connection to our historic town. The crew made their last grand parade through Monmouth in March 2019 – an unforgettable day of polished boots, gleaming medals, and locals lining the streets in support.

By 2022, as the ship prepared for her well-earned rest, her bell was gifted to the town – a fittingly poignant gesture marking the symbolic end of her service. For a ship steeped in tradition and honour, it’s only right that a part of her lives on here, nestled in the heart of Monmouth.

And speaking of tradition, it’s worth remembering that HMS Monmouth wasn’t the first to bear the name – there have been seven ships before her, stretching all the way back to the days of Lord Nelson himself. In fact, HMS Monmouth fought under Nelson’s command at the Battle of Camperdown, so we’re practically on first-name terms with a naval legend.

So, as the sun sets on HMS Monmouth, we salute her. They say old sailors don’t die – they just sail quietly over the horizon. In The Black Duke’s case, perhaps she simply slipped into the mist with dignified grace, her black flag lowered but never forgotten.

Fair winds and following seas, old friend.

See you all on the water.