HMS St Vincent (Whitehall shore establishment) facts for kids
The Admiralty Citadel in 2008, former home of HMS St Vincent
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS St Vincent |
| Commissioned | 1 April 1992 |
| Decommissioned | 31 March 1998 |
| Fate | Elements merged into new organisation |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Stone frigate |
HMS St Vincent was a special kind of Royal Navy base. It was located in London during the 1990s. Even though it was called a "ship," it was actually a building on land. These land-based naval sites are often called 'stone frigates' because they serve many of the same purposes as a ship, but they don't float!
What Was HMS St Vincent?
HMS St Vincent was a shore establishment. This means it was a naval base on land, not a ship that sailed the seas. Its main job was to act as a communication hub for the British Admiralty. The Admiralty was the part of the British government that managed the Royal Navy.
A New Purpose
Before this HMS St Vincent, there was another base with the same name in London. That older base was part of the Royal Naval Reserve's main building, HMS President. It closed down on March 31, 1992.
Just one day later, on April 1, 1992, a brand new HMS St Vincent opened its doors. This new base was located in a secret underground bunker. This bunker was hidden behind Admiralty House in the Whitehall area of London.
The Communication Centre
The new HMS St Vincent became a very important place. It was the main communication centre for the Admiralty. This meant it handled vital messages and information for the Royal Navy. It helped keep different parts of the navy connected and working together.
The base operated for several years, playing a key role in naval communications. It finally closed down on March 31, 1998. After it closed, its important communication tasks were taken over by a new group called MARCOMM COMCEN (St Vincent).
