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Seven ships of the Royal Navy have been named Warspite. The origins of the name are unclear, although it is probably from the Elizabethan-era spelling of the word 'spite' – 'spight' – in part embodying contempt for the Navy's enemies, but which was also the common name for the green woodpecker, suggesting the 'Warspight' would poke holes in enemy ships' (wooden) hulls. Until 1919 a woodpecker was used as the ships' crest; the official badge was a cannon, although the woodpecker continued to be used on the ships' tompions or gun muzzle plugs. Warspite carries the most battle honours of any ship in the Royal Navy, with the sixth Warspite being awarded fifteen of them.
At least five ships and one shore establishment of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Warrior:
Nine ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Albion after Albion, an archaic name for Great Britain:
Eight ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Centaur, after the half-human, half-horse centaur of Greek mythology:
Five ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Halcyon. The term Halcyon originates from the Greek myth of Alcyone and means golden or marked by peace and prosperity.
Thirteen ships of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Surprise or HMS Surprize, including:
Eight ships or submarines of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Anson, after Admiral George Anson:
Four Royal Navy ships have been named HMS Grenville. Vice Admiral Sir Richard Grenville was an Elizabethan sailor, explorer, and soldier:
HMS Phoebe may refer to:
Seven ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Orpheus. Orpheus was the magical father of songs in Greek mythology.
Three ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Battleaxe:
Three ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Swordfish after the fish.
Three ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Onslow:
HMS Waterwitch has been the name of several Royal Navy vessels:
Three ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS North Star, named after the pole star:
Three ships of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Octavia:
Five ships of the Royal Navy have carried the name HMS Handy:
Six vessels of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Ready:
At least three ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Sarpedon. They are named after Sarpedon, a Greek hero and son of Zeus.
Two ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Cornflower :
References
- Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
