The Royal Navy commissions shore bases as ships. The custom carries a disciplinary purpose, helping preserve aspects of naval discipline ashore. Many of these so-called stone frigates bear names previously used by sloops. The practice allows small-ship names and institutional traditions to survive long after the original vessels leave service.
Notable Point · 40:36-41:24
Why naval bases are commissioned like ships
The discussion of stone frigates links commissioned shore establishments to naval discipline and notes how often those bases inherit sloop names.