A British naval official is all set to suit as the first woman in the 500-year history of the Royal Navy to command a frontline warship.
Lieutenant Commander Sarah West, 39, will take power of HMS Portland and its generally male crew of 185. After promotion to a 65,000 pounds-a-year Commander, she is ready to take her ship to war anywhere in the world. Unmarried Lt Cdr West, who was raised in Lincolnshire and studied at University of Hertfordshire.
Women have earlier commanded only small non-fighting Navy ships such as fishery protection vessels.
But, naval top brass said Lt Cdr West had seen off dangerous competition from male officers to win the role on merit due to her "leadership, confidence, moral courage, sound judgment and brilliant people skills.
