Frigate with formidable firepower 
HMS Cornwall left the UK for the Gulf in January 2007
The 15 British Navy personnel captured at gunpoint in the Gulf serve on board HMS Cornwall, a Type-22 Broadsword-class frigate.
That vessel arrived in the northern Gulf on 12 March.
On board, Commodore Nick Lambert is commanding the task force on his fourth tour of the region.
HMS Cornwall was launched in October 1985 and commissioned at Falmouth, Cornwall, in 1988 by Diana, the Princess of Wales.
Type-22 frigates were originally designed as specialist anti-submarine vessels.
They have evolved into a surface combatant with substantial anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft weapons systems.
'Ideal' flagship
They also possesses command and control and communication facilities, making them ideal flagships, according to the Royal Navy.
The Ministry of Defence describes the historical role of its frigates as "the eyes and the ears of the Royal Navy's main battle fleets."
The MoD website says the ships are the mainstay of the modern Navy.
"HMS Cornwall is equally capable of attacking targets in the air, on the surface, or beneath the sea, and is also a well-defended vessel." HMS Cornwall, type-22 frigate 5300 tonnes, length 148.1m/485.9ft, beam 14.8m/48.5ft Top speed 30 knots/35mph 250 crew (max 301) 114mm / 4.5 inch gun, Sea Wolf anti-missile system, Quad Harpoon missile launchers
UK sailors held at gunpoint
On patrol they have a cruising speed of 18 knots/21mph , but have a sprint capability of over 30 knots/35mph.
HMS Cornwall's predecessors have battle honours from Barfleur in 1692, the Falkland Islands in 1914 and the Dardanelles in 1915.
It is affiliated to the County of Cornwall, The Light Infantry and the Worshipful Guild of Leathersellers amongst others.
The ship is part of Devonport Flotilla, under Commander Jeremy Woods.
In January 2007 HMS Cornwall was named by the Daily Telegraph as one of six ships being considered for "extended readiness". This would mean the vessels being withdrawn from active service.
The Ministry of Defence said no decision had been made on the fleet.
