A technical fault delayed the destroyer's departure from Glasgow on Friday.

The ship will be accepted by the Royal Navy when it reaches Portsmouth.

On the eve of her expected departure, GORDON THOMSON caught the mood with the words of the First Sea Lord and Duncan's commanding officer. He also explains the meaning behind the badges allocated to each of the destroyers

COMMANDING OFFICER OF HMS DUNCAN, JAMES STRIDE

"The Type 45 destroyer is a fantastic ship, offering a world-class air defence capability, and I am especially proud to be the commanding officer of HMS Duncan, the sixth and final ship of the class.

"When we leave the Clyde I will be able to reflect on the hard work from everyone involved in the build programme that got us to this significant moment, especially those within BAE Systems and their suppliers who have designed and built Type 45s over the past 15 years.

"I know the team takes great pride in shipbuilding and it results in the high quality that will see HMS Duncan gleaming on her arrival into her base port of Portsmouth and also materially through her service life of around 20 years.

"My team of Royal Navy personnel have been 'standing-by' the build of the ship since the launch in October, 2010. The numbers have now grown to the full complement of about 180 men and women who are all very keen to take full custody of the ship once she gets into Portsmouth and starts her training and trials phase under the White Ensign.

"Ultimately, all this hard work will lead to HMS Duncan deploying around the globe, protecting our nation's interests. Recently, our sister ships have completed very successful deployments east of Suez and to the South Atlantic on maritime security operations and forging links with allies.

"The Type 45 utilises about 80% new-to-service technology and, as such, represents a major step in capability for the Royal Navy.

"Our primary role is air defence and for this we are fitted with the Sea Viper weapon system, which is able to engage a large number of targets simultaneously and defend aircraft carriers or groups of ships, such as an amphibious landing force, against current and future threats.

"The Type 45 is also the world's first fully integrated, all-electric propulsion front-line warship, with an on-board power plant capable of generating 47 megawatts, or enough to power a small city.

"As well as providing a top speed in excess of 30 knots, the propulsion plant can also operate very efficiently to give us an endurance of around 7000 nautical miles.

"Our accommodation standards for all crew members are far higher than on previous Royal Navy destroyers. For example, our junior rates are accommodated in six-berth cabins rather than large mess decks, which will be good for morale during long periods at sea.

"So our departure from the Clyde will be a poignant moment, but one with reason for real celebration by everyone concerned with Type 45 who have delivered such superb ships for the Royal Navy."

FIRST SEA LORD, ADMIRAL SIR MARK STANHOPE

"The departure of HMS Duncan from the Clyde will be a symbolic moment for the Royal Navy.

"It marks the end of the beginning of the Type 45 fleet programme and signals the start of a more capable future for the Royal Navy.

"These ships are the largest and most technologically advanced destroyers ever built for the Royal Navy and will ensure the UK continues to have one of the most powerful and versatile maritime forces in the world.

"The Type 45 is setting the global standard for protecting national interests at sea and from the sea. During crises they will defend warships and merchant ships, as well as troops ashore.

"Yet they are equally capable of countering piracy, terrorism, drug smuggling and human trafficking, as well as evacuating civilians from war zones and providing humanitarian assistance around the globe.

"All six ships, based in Portsmouth, have been built on the Clyde. They protected thousands of jobs within the UK maritime sector and contributed to the local economy.

"The Type 45 destroyers are making a significant contribution to protecting the UK's prosperity and security.

"Having already deployed to the Middle East and the South Atlantic, the Type 45 destroyers are making a significant contribution to protecting the UK's prosperity and security.

"HMS Duncan will join sister ships Daring, Dauntless, Diamond, Dragon and Defender on operations and showcase the Clyde stamp of quality craftsmanship worldwide.

"I would like to thank everyone involved in this programme for all their efforts. They have delivered an outstanding fleet for Royal Navy and the nation."

THE STORIES BEHIND THE BADGES...

DARING: Silhouetted against a black backdrop, a hand and arm is thrust into a cresset of fire.

The scene mirrors a moment from history when legendary hero Mucius Scaevola of the Roman Republic bravely put his hand into fire to demonstrate Roman courage when taken prisoner by the Roman king Tarquin.

The motto, Splendide Audax, means 'splendidly daring'.

DAUNTLESS: The head of Publius Horatius wearing a helmet of gold.

The Roman officer was immortalised when, in the late 6th century BC, he and two others saved Rome from a warring Tuscan force by defending a bridge across the Tiber while his countrymen demolished it. He was the sole survivor and swam to safety and a hero's reception.

The motto Nil Desperandum means 'never despair.'

DIAMOND: A silver diamond is silhouetted against a bright red background. It's one of the most simplistic badges designed for the new fleet. The motto, Honor Clarissima Gemma, means 'honour is the brightest jewel.'

DRAGON: A gold dragon is silhouetted against a bright red backdrop. Another simplistic design alluding to the name of the warship.

The motto We Yield But To St George has no Latin equivalent.

DEFENDER: A rapier with gold hilt sits on a red background and points upward beneath a silver- edged, embossed gold buckler, or shield, to illustrate the name of the ship. The motto Defendendo Vinco means 'I conquer by defence.'

DUNCAN: The bright red background highlights a silver hunting horn and gold string and was taken from the arms of Lord Adam Duncan.

He was the admiral who led a Royal Navy fleet to victory against the Dutch during the French Revolutionary Wars. The Battle of Camperdown was fought on Octoberr 11, 1797.

The motto Secundis Dubiisque Rectus means 'upright in prosperity and peril' and was the motto used by Admiral Lord Duncan.

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