Name Histories T

Ship Name Histories - Database of histories of ship names beginning with letter T.

Name Origin: - The River Tagues in the Spanish Peninsula, which falls into the Atlantic in the Bay of Lisbon. As a ship name it commemorates the forcing of that river by a squadron under Rear-Admiral roussin on July 11^th 1831.

Takachiho

Name Origin: this name figures largely in the history of Japan. It is that of a mountain in the southern provinces of Hiuga, adjoining Satsuma, and according to Japanese mythology was the site of the ancient palace of Ninigi no-Mikoto, the grandson of the Sun goddess, who sent him to dwell in and rule over the Japanese empire. As the legend describes it, he “took his leave of the plains of heaven, and thrusting asunder the cloud canopy of the skies, descended to earth and alighted on the peak of Takachiho, and there built for himself a princely abode.” His third son, whose name, literally translated, means “Fire’s subsidence,” wedded a daughter of the Kai-O (literally, “King of the sea”)-the Japanese Neptune-and reigned in his father’s stead. In turn he was succeeded by his son Prince “Incomplete Thatch, who wedded Princess Tamayori, and became the parent of Prince Yamato-Iwane (literally “the foundation rock of Yamato,” i.e. Japan), who is best known to posterity by his canonical title of Jimmu Tenno, the first Emperor of Japan, and from whom the present Emepror Mutsuhito traces his direct descent, being the 123^rd of his line.

Takao

Name Origin: A small mountain in Yamashiro province, famous for its glorious scenery, and for the beauty of the reddening autumn foliage of its abundant maple trees.

Takou

Name Origin: - Commemorates the bombardment and capture of the Taku forts on the Peiho river on June 17^th 1900, by the allied French (Lion, Captain Frot), British, German, Russian and Japanese gunboats, during the “Boxer Revolt.”

Taku

Name Origin: Commemorates the capture, by boarding, of four Chinese destroyers in the Peiho River by Lieutenant Commander Roger Keyes, with the destroyers Fame (under his command) and Whiting (Lieutenant Commander CF McKenzie), June 17th 1900. The incident occurred during the Boxer riots, when the European Legations at Pekin were besieged and it became of paramount importance to keep open communications with the allied forces at Tientsin. For this purpose the British, Russina, German, French, and Japanese gunboats, on the day named, bombarded and captured the Chinese forts on both sides of the river, whilst the British destroyers were engaged as mentioned. The four prizes (new 30 knot vessels, built by Schichau) were divided between Russia, France, Germany and England, and renamed Taku in each case.

Taku

Name Origin: Commemorates the bombardment and capture of the Taku forts on the Peiho River on June 17^th 1900, by the allied German, British, Russian, French, Japanese gunboats during the “Boxer Revolt.” The Iltis, commander Lans, the only German vessel present, had 1 officer and 7 men killed, and her captain and 30 men wounded.

Talbot

Name Origin: There is no record to show after whom the first Talbot was so named. The Talbots are an old family, many members of which have distinguished themselves - notably John Talbot, first Earl of Shrewsbury, born 1373, died 1453, a great General in the wars with France during the reign of Henry V.

Tamandare

Name Origin: Vice Admiral Tamandare was Naval commander in Chief of Brazil during the war between that country, in alliance with Argentina and Uruguay, and Paraguay, from its outbreak in 1865 until superseded in 1867.

Tamar

Name Origin: A corruption of 'tamer', probably arising from a confusion with the river Tamar, which flows into Plymouth Sound.

Tamboff

Name Origin: A town in Central Russia, and capital of the government of that name.

Tamega

Name Origin: A tributary of lower Douro.

Tamoyo

Name Origin: Name of a native tribe in Brazil.

Tangka

Name Origin: A volcano in Sumatra.

Tango

Name Origin: The province in which the naval depot of Maidzuru is situated. The vessel was formerly the Russian battleship Poltava, scuttled at Port Arthur in December 1904 and subsequently salved.

Tapperheten

Name Origin: Valour.

Tartar

Name Origin: A Mongolian race which inhabits Tartary or Central Asia. In the Middle Ages the Tartars and other Mongolian tribes overran and conquered the greater part of Russia. At present there are over a million Tartars settled in Southern and Eastern Russia.

Tatsuta

Name Origin: A river in Yamato provinces, famous for its maples and their lovely tints in autumn.

Tavira

Name Origin: An important village in the south of Portugal.

Tay

Name Origin: A river in Scotland flowing through Loch Tay and past Perth and Dundee into the North Sea.

Tcharodeika

Name Origin: Enchantress.

Tchernomorets

Name Origin: Cossack of the Black Sea.

Tchesma

Name Origin: Chesme, a bay on the coast of Asia Minor, opposite the island of Chios. On July 5^th 1770, the Russian fleet under General Admiral Count Alexis Orloff defeated the Turkish fleet off the coast of Asia Minor, and obliged it to retire into Chesme Bay, where on the night of July 6^th-7^th the Russians attacked and destroyed it.

Teal

Teazer

Teffe

Name Origin: name of a Brazilian river, tributary to the Amazon.

Tegethoff

Name Origin: Admiral William, Baron von Tegethoff; born 1827, died 1871. He entered the Navy in 1845 and took part in the blockade of Venice 1848-4849. In 1864 he commanded the Austrian squadron in the war with Denmark (“Schleswig-Holstein war”), and fought the Danes off Heligoland on May 9^th. During the Italian war of 1866, in command of the Austrian fleet, he brilliantly defeated the superior Italian fleet off Lissa July 20^th. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Navy in 1868.

Tegualda

Name Origin: One of the Auracanian heroines wives of the Caciques, who fought the Spanish invaders. They figure in a poem called “La Auracana,” by Don Alonso de Ercilla.

Teist

Name Origin: Black guillemot or devekie.

Tejo

Name Origin: Tagus, principal river in Portugal Lisbon is situated at its mouth.

Teleorman

Name Origin: A river flowing through Romania.

Temeraire

Name Origin: French for 'bold'. Commemorates the capture of two French ships of the line of that name. The first, commanded by Captain Descoyeux, was captured in December 1694 by the Montague (Captain Bridges), the England, and two merchant vessels. The Temeraire was very much damaged, and bad weather coming on, she had to be burned before reaching England. The second, a 74 gun ship, commanded by Captain M Castillon (the elder), was captured on August 19th 1759 in Lagos Bay by Admiral Boscawen's squadron; she had formed part of De la Clue's squadron going from Toulon to Brest.

Temeraire

Name Origin: - Bold.

Temerairo

Name Origin: Venturesome, bold.

Temes

Name Origin: In Roman times the Tibiscus, a tributary of the Danube in Hungary. It gives its name to a Hungarian komitat or county.

Tenedos

Name Origin: Small island near the mouth of the Dardanelles, opposite Besika Bay. The records give no indication why this name was chosen for a British ship.

Teniente Rodriguez

Name Origin: Lieutenant Rodriguez was in command of a heavy gun mounted onboard the transport Angamos during the war with Peru 1879, and was killed inaction by the bursting of this gun.

Teniente Serrano

Name Origin: Lieutenant Serrano served onboard the Esmeralda in the memorable action off Iquique on May 21^st 1879. He followed Captain Prat, at the head of twelve seamen, in boarding the Huascar, and all were killed on her deck.

Tenriu

Name Origin: A wide river in Totomi province, 140 miles long, bears this name, which is equally literally, “Celestial dragon.”

Terek

Name Origin: River in the Caucasus.

Terets

Name Origin: Cossack of the Terek.

Terpsichore

Name Origin: One of the nine Muses, the Muse of choral dance and song. The ship name commemorates the capture of the French frigate Terpsichore, 24, together with two others, by the Aeolus, 32, Pallas, 36, and Brilliant, 36, off the Isle of Man on February 28th 1760.

Terrible

Name Origin: Commemorates the capture of the French ship of the line Terrible by the squadron under Admiral Hawke in the action off Finisterre on October 14th 1747.

Terrible

Name Origin: Terrible.

Terror

Teviot

Name Origin: A Scotch river rising in Roxburghshire, a tributary of the Tweed, which it joins at Kelso.

Thames

Name Origin: The most important river of Great Britain.

Thermidor

Name Origin: - “Mouth of heat.” The eleventh month of the New Calendar instituted by the First French Republic on September 22^nd 1792, and which continued in use until Napoleon reintroduced the Gregorian on January 1^st 1806.

Theseus

Name Origin: In Greek mythology the son of Aegeus, king of Athens. He grew up in exile, and on attaining man's estate performed great deeds of valour, freeing the land from robbers and from the devastations of the Minos. She quitted Crete with him, but he abandoned her on the island of Naxos. He fought and conquered the Amazons, delivering Athens from their assaults, and took part in almost all the great legendary expeditions of the Greeks.

Thetis

Name Origin: In Greek mythology a sea-nymph, one of the daughters of the sea-god Nereus. She married Peleus, king of the Myrmidons, and became the mother of the hero Achilles.

Thetis

Name Origin: In Greek mythology a sea-nymp, on of the daughters of the sea god Nereus. She married Peleus, king of the Myrmidons, and because the mother of the hero Achilles.

Thetis

Name Origin: In Greek mythology a sea nymph, one of the daughters of the sea god Nereus. She married Peleus, King of the Myrmidons, and became the mother of the hero Achilles.

Thistle

Thon

Name Origin: - Tunny fish.

Thor

Name Origin: In Norse mythology the god of thunder, one of the chief gods. He is armed with the magic hammer “Mjolner,” which he flings at his enemies, and which after crushing them, returns of itself drawn by two great goats. Thursday is named after him.

Thor

Name Origin: In Norse mythology the god of thunder, one of the chief gods. He is armed with the magic hammer “Mjolner,” which he flings his enemies, and which after crushing them, returns to itself to his hand. He drives in the thunderstorm in a chariot drawn by two great goats. Thursday is named after him.

Thor

Name Origin: In Norse mythology the god of thunder, one of the chief gods. He is armed with the magic hammer “Mjolner,” which he flings at his enemies, and which, after crushing them, returns of itself to his hand. He drives in the thunderstorms in a chariot drawn by two great goats. Thursday (thor’s day) is named after him.

Thordon

Name Origin: Thunder; literally, Thor’s thunder.

Thorn

Thorne

Name Origin : Captain John B Thorne was born at New York in 1807, and distinguished himself in the most brilliant manner as an officer of the Argentine Navy. He fought in nearly every action of the war with Brazil, was the first to board the Itaparica, and hauled down her flag on March 7th 1827. He also distinguished himself during the war caused by the Anglo-French intervention, and fought heroically at the battle of Obligado, November 20th 1845.

Thrasher

Thrudwang

Name Origin: In Norse mythology the residence of the god Thor.

Thule

Name Origin: An island discovered by the Greek traveller Pytheas, who lived about 334 B.C., and made a voyage from Gades northern in the Atlantic. Remnants of the account of this voyage have come down to us. The ancients believed Thule, Ultima Thule, to be the northernmost point of the earth. It is supposed that Pytheas gave this name to Scandinavia or the Shetland Islands (probably the latter).

Thunderer

Thyella

Name Origin: Tempest.

Tiger

Tiradentes

Name Origin: nickname (drawer of teeth) given to one Silva Xavier, a popular hero at the end of the eighteenth century and leader in the first movement towards independence. He was hanged for high treason at Rio de Janeiro.

Tirailleur

Name Origin: - Skirmisher.

Tirfing

Name Origin: In a Norse saga the name of a magic, evil bringing sword.

Tiu

Name Origin: a.k.a. Tyr. In Norse mythology the god of war, and a son of Odin. He lost his right hand whilst overpowering and binding the Fenris wolf. Tuesday is named after him.

Tiu

Name Origin: a.k.a. Tyr. In Norse mythology the god of war, a son of Odin. He lost his right hand whilst overpowering and binding the dread Fenris wolf. Tuesday is named after him.

Tocatins

Name Origin: Name of a Brazilian river, tributary to the Amazon.

Tochni

Name Origin: Strict.

Tokiwa

Name Origin: Evergreen, or everlasting.

Toledo

Name Origin: The capital of the province of that name in New Castille. The town which is situated on the Tagus, was the capital of the Gothic kings from the sixth to eighth century, and in 1085 was retaken from the Moors by Alfonso VI of Castille, who made it the seat of Government. It was long celebrated for the manufacture of the sword blades.

Tone

Name Origin: Literally, “Nourish the roots.” The name of a wide river flowing into the Pacific slightly to the north of the latitude of Tokyo, which is 180 miles long, and navigable by boats for a great part of its length.

Topaze

Name Origin: The first ship to bear this name was the French frigate Topaze, 40, one of the vessels surrendered at Toulon to Lord Hood in December 1793.

Topaze

Torch

Tordenskjold

Name Origin: Peter Wessel, a Danish Admiral, who, on being ennobled, received the name of Tordenskjold (Thunder shield); born 1691, died 1720. He began life as a tailor, then entered the Navy as an ordinary seaman and distinguished himself in the wars with Sweden. He contributed to the victory of April 1715 over the Swedes by the capture of Admiral Wachtmeister’s flagship, and took a prominent part in the victory off Rugen in the same year. For these services he was made a Vice-Admiral and ennobled. In 1716 services he was made a Vice Admiral and ennobled. In 1716 he captured some transports with Swedish troops in the harbour of Dynekiln, and took the town of Marstrand at the head of a landing party in 1719. He fell in a duel against the Swedish General Stahl in the following year.

Tordenskjold

Name Origin: Peter Wessel, a Danish Admiral, but Norwegian by birth, who, on being ennobled, received the name of Tordenskjold. Born 1691 he began life as a Merchant Sailor, but later joined the King’s Navy as ordinary seaman. In the wars with Sweden he earned for himself an officers commission by his distinguished services. He materially contributed towards the victory of April 1715 over the Swedes by capturing Admiral Wachtmeister’s flagship, and took a prominent part in the victory off Rugen in the same year. For thee services he was promoted to Vice=Admiral and ennobled. In 1716 he captured several transports with Swedish troops in the harbour of Dynekolen, and in 1719 he took the town of Marstrand at the head of a small landing party. He fell in a duel against the Swedish General Stahl in the following year.

Tourbillon

Name Origin: - Whirlwind.

Tourment

Name Origin: - Storm.

Toyohashi

Name Origin: Literally, “The bridge of affluence.” A large town in Mikawa province.

Trabant

Name Origin: Bodyguard of the Austrian Emperors.

Trafalgar

Name Origin: Commemorates the great victory on October 21st 1805 of the British fleet of 27 ships of the line under Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson over the combined French and Spanish fleets of 33 ships of the line, off Cape Trafalgar (Spain). The latter (18 French and 15 Spanish ships), under Vice-Admiral Villeneuve and Admiral Gravina, were disposed in a long irregular line, and were attacked about noon by the British, formed in two parallel lines, led by Nelson in the Victory and Collingwood, the second in command, in the Royal Sovereign. Soon after the enemy's line was broken the action became general and lasted until sunset, by which time 17 of the allied 33 ships were captured and 1 burned. Whilst the remainder were in full flight Nelson was mortally wounded by a musket ball early in the action, but lived long enough to hear the glorious result. A heavy gale springing up towards nightfall destroyed many of the prizes, whilst a few made good their escape. The loss in men on the British side amounted to 449 killed and 1241 wounded. This great battle has been rightly termed the tactical epilogue of the long campaign in which Nelson had so prominent a share. The strategic victory had been won two months earlier when Napoleon definitely abandoned his long-cherished plans of invading England, and marched the great army so long encamped on his northern coast for that purpose, into Germany, against other foes.

Trajano

Name Origin: A prominent Brazilian naval constructor.

Tramontane

Name Origin: - The north wind of the Mediterranean.

Traveller

Trevojni

Name Origin: Alarm.

Tricheco

Name Origin: Walrus.

Trident

Name Origin: - The spear with three prongs borne by Neptune, and emblematic of the mastery of the sea.

Trinacria

Name Origin: The ancient name of Siciliy, derived from its triangular shape-“Trinacris, a positu nomina adepta loci.”

Tripoli

Name Origin: Town on the north coast of Africa, capital of the State of Tripoli. The name of the ship commemorates the successful action fought here on September 25^th 1825, by the boats of a small Sardinian squadron under Captain Sivori, who took by assault the fortress and burned the vessel in port, thus bringing to a speedy conclusion the war which had been rashly declared by the Bey on August 27^th against King Charles Felix.

Tri Sviatitelia

Name Origin: “The three saints.” By this designation are known the three great theologians of the Greek Orthodox church- St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrisostomus.

Triton

Name Origin: In Greek mythology a son of Poseidon (Neptune) and Amphitrite. The Tritons are depicted as having the bodies of men and the tails of fishes, and as blowing on conch shells, by which means they appeased the troubled waters of the sea.

Triton

Name Origin: - In Greek mythology a son of Poseidon (Neptune) and Amphitrite. The Tritons are depicted as having the bodies of men and the tails of fishes, and as blowing on conch shells, by which means they appeased the troubled waters of the sea.

Triumph

Name Origin: This word, now meaning an acknowledged victory or success, is derived from the Latin triumphus, by which was designated the official public entry at the head of his troops into Rome of a victorious General, with the display in the procession of all the booty taken in the war. Such "triumphs" were accorded by vote of the Senate, and generally only for conquests.

Trods

Name Origin: Defiance.

Trombe

Name Origin: - Waterspout.

Tromblon

Name Origin: - Blunderbuss.

Trotus

Name Origin: A river flowing through Romania.

Troude

Name Origin: - Amable Gilles Troude, born 1762, died 1824. He entered the Royal Navy at the outbreak of the American War, and served with distinction in the West Indies under Guichen and Grasse. In 1801 he commanded the Desaix in the battle of Algeciras Bay, and was given the Formidiable battleship at its close. This ship had suffered heavily during the action, and could not keep up with the rest of the fleet, which sailed for Cadiz. The English giving chase at night, Troude hoisted English lights, and so escaped them, but coming up in the darkness with the Spanish allies, the San Ermengildo, three decker, mistook the Formidable for an enemy, and fired into her. The Real Carlos recognised the Formidable, but concluded that the vessel firing on her must be English and so attacked the San Ermengildo, and before the two Spaniards discovered their mistake they had set each other on fire and were lost. At daybreak off Cadiz, the Formidable fell amongst an English squadron of three line of battle ships and one frigate. Unable in her crippled state to escape, she was at once attacked, and a gallant action ensued. The Coesar and Superb were beaten off, the Venerable had to drive on shore, and Troude carried the formidable safely into Cadiz. For this fine action he was made a Post Captain. He subsequently distinguished himself in the West Indies. In 1811 he was made a Rear Admiral and in 1814 in command of the fleet at Brest, escorted Louis XVIII from Portsmouth to France. He retired in 1816.

Truite

Name Origin: - Trout.

Tukhmenets

Name Origin: Inhabitant of the Steppes to the westward of the Caspian.

Tsarevna

Name Origin: Daughter of the Tsar.

Tsen-Tien

Name Origin: To directs the lightning.

Tsingtau

Name Origin: The seat of the Government of the territory of Kiao-Chao, leased in 1898 from China, and in military occupation of Germany, being administrated by the Admiralty.

Tsubane

Name Origin: The swallow.

Tsugaru

Name Origin: The strait separating Yeso from Nihon. This ship was formerly the Russian cruiser Pallada, scuttled at Port Arthur in December 1904 and subsequently rose.

Tsukuba

Name Origin: A famous mountain (3200 feet) in Hitachi, near Tokyo.

Tsukushi

Name Origin: An ancient title of Kiushiu Island.

Tsushima

Name Origin: The island midway between Japan and Korea- in the vicinity of which was fought the decisive battle of the Sea of Japan.

Tung-Chi

Name Origin: General voyage.

Turbine

Turco

Name Origin: - Native light infantry in Algeria.

Turquoise

Tviordi

Name Origin: Firm.

Tymbira

Name Origin: Name of a native tribe in Brazil.

Tyne

Name Origin: A river in northern England flowing past Newcastle into the North Sea.

Typhoon

Name Origin: - Typhoon, circular storm.

Tyr

Name Origin: a.k.a. Tiu. In Norse mythology the god of war, and a son of Odin. He lost his right hand whilst overpowering and binding the Fenris wolf. Tuesday is named after him.

Tyr

Name Origin: a.k.a. Tiu. In Norse mythology the god of war, a son of Odin. He lost his right hand whilst overpowering and binding the dread Fenris wolf. Tuesday is named after him.

Tzesarevitch

Name Origin: Title borne by the heir to the throne of Russia.