The Iron Duke, AKA the Duke of Wellington.




   HMS Iron Duke (F234) is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy. She is the third ship bearing that name, the first being a combined sail and steam battleship (similar, to HMS Warrior) commissioned in 1870, which served as flagship of the China Station, having the distinction of being one of the first warships to travel through the Suez Canal. The second Iron Duke was a dreadnought, built in 1912 and serving as Jellicoe's flagship at Jutland. She was the namesake of the class. The current Iron Duke came into service in 1993. 


   These three ships gain their name from the Duke of Wellington, who gained the nickname originally through his steadfast political resolve. It later became associated with the Duke's use of iron shutters on his home, Apsley House (Number One London) in order to keep out rioters and looters angry at his policies during his many years in Britain's political sphere, including serving as Prime Minister twice. This nickname was later put to use in many political cartoons.
                                               | British Heritage


          Technical Specifications of the current HMS Iron Duke | Royal Navy