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Ship Names World Naval Ships Forums Archive


Ship Names


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Ever wondered why a ship is named what it is? I'll be posting several threads explaining some of the more interesting name histories. Some are named after historical figures, some after battles and events. Some are amazingly old, some are surprisingly new. I hope it makes interesting reading.

[QUOTE=kc;19]Ever wondered why a ship is named what it is? I'll be posting several threads explaining some of the more interesting name histories. Some are named after historical figures, some after battles and events. Some are amazingly old, some are surprisingly new. I hope it makes interesting reading.[/QUOTE] hi was wondering if you have ever come across a victor walker who served on hms shackleton,he is my grandfather have never met him and trying to trace him many thanks

:cool:Is it possible for you to tell me please what was the reason in 1953 for naming the ship HMS Duchess my late father proudly served on. Thank You!

Hi Vivienne The first warship named DUCHESS was the captured French 24 gun ship DUCHESSE taken in 1652 and renamed when brought into English service. She was sold in 1654. The ships naming committee, when choosing names for the Daring Class destroyers, must have considered HMS DUCHESS was a suitable name to give to one of these fine destroyers and she therefore became the 4th ship, apart from three requisitioned vessels, to carry this name and perpetuate the four Battle Honours awarded to her predecessors. PORTLAND 1653 GABBARD 1653 SCHEVENINGEN 1653 BARFLEUR 1692 Regards stontamar

While in Chatham Dockyard in 1955 serving aboard the frigate WHITESAND BAY, I came across the ship named TRUELOVE, I bet any matelot with the hat tally with that name got some stick ashore, why give a fighting ship a name such as that? Dave

Wasn`t Truelove a minesweeper? Perhaps they truly loved to sweep mines?!

If Truelove was a sweeper the the cap tally could just have H M Minesweeper on it. That is what a lot of the lads on H M S Pickle did to avoid embarrassment. Ken

Why do that when onboard 'HMS Pickle' such a famous ship, celebrated every year by Senior Rates in the Royal navy. Any mention of Trafalgar is good for a beer. Regards Charles

They often use names of former ships, Fencer,my ship was re-issued to a training Patrol Boat, but unfortunately they,put GAY in front of it,thus it became Gay Fencer,who picks such names.Doug.Birch Ex.Fencer

I remember reading years ago that RN ship's helicopters also have names that relate to the ship. I guess that explains why HMS Brazen had a helicopter named Hussy.

In the days when the Gay (Gas turbine engined) and Dark (Deltic engined) series of Patrol Boats were being experimented with the word gay had a different meaning. I remember going to a variety show at the Pompey Empire called, 'Let's go Gay with Davy Kaye'. Word meanings and connotations change with time which is possibly why an item that is flammable is described as being inflammable. Ken

HMS Brazen should have had another helicopter, they could have called that one, Bitch. ;) Dagwood

There was an HMS Cuirass. Fotrunately it was a small requisitioned craft. Otherwise I suspect it would have been the cause of many a bar fight.

I always like the rationale Jim Lamb (James B. Lamb of "The Corvette Navy" fame) put forward - psychological warfare and morale boosting. The crew of the good ship "Buttercup" for example would feel slightly superior having sunk a U-Boat with such a silly-named ship, and I can't imagine the Germans would feel too proud about it either. The humiliation of being sunk or damaged by a "Snowdrop", or a "Begonia"!! Simon

Be thankful the Flower Class never used Pansy. The story goes that the name Weston-super-Mare was considered but decided against because matelots would call it Aggie-on-horseback! Just a passing note previous ships I served in have had their names re-used in my lifetime, they are :- Vanguard, Ark Royal, Vigilant, Tyne, Unicorn.

Keith, Hms Heartease 'flower class' was laid down as Hms Pansy but her name was changed prior to launch. Regards Alan

There were actually three ships named Pansy during WWI, not to mention a Pansy III.

Ceylon DAVID, HMS TRUELOVE was named after a RN Captain of that name (I believe) ! He served in some great battle (say) with NELSON / St Vincent ?? T'is only a `thought' that I offer from `back of brain' !! Sadsac

Thankfully, the RCN opted to name Canadian 'Flowers' after communities. The only exception was a group of ten built for the RN but turned over to their Canadian crews and retaining their names. Even still, they were not overly feminine: [I]Bittersweet, Fennel, Windflower, Snowberry [/I]to name but a few. Actually, if one reads the story of LCdr Shadforth and his escapades the night before sailing out of St Johns Nfld with [I]Spikenard[/I] only to be sunk 9 days later; 10 Feb 1942, the story is most notably macho-ish! I think the only oddball in the RCN seems to have been HMCS [I]Loos[/I], a Battleclass trawler serving during the First World War.

From time to time, I like dipping into "The Naval Review" volumes, both as a source of reference, but also the correspondence often has the controvesy and banter of this Forum. I thought these exchanges from the 1935 volume were interesting .... [quote] [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana]The recent decision to alter certain ships' names from something of classical origin to names of towns is regretted by the writer of this article. The naming of ships after towns and counties may (or may not) give gratification to the locality concerned. But that is not the only consideration. There is the effect on the bluejacket to be taken into account, and I suspect that a territorial nomenclature is distasteful to those who [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]man our ships. I imagine that their distaste is probably more unconscious than conscious, but I believe it is there all the same, and it is likely that a referendum would bring it out. It arises, I believe, from the natural desire of a sailor to feel that his ship is all his own. This sense of exclusive association-I don't say ownership-is weakened if he feels he is sharing his ship in however small a way with some outside body, and this I suggest is what happens in the case of county-class and town-class ships. The sailor inevitably feels that the town or county after which the ship is named is a rival for that claim on the ship which he feels should be all his own.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The writer remembers reading an article in the R.U.S.I. Journal a year or two 'ago in which very similar opinions were expressed about the territorial titles of regiments. The author of that article considered that the old practice of calling regiments by a number was far more satisfactory, and for the very same reason that a numbered regiment felt that it shared its title with no one else.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]If then the claims of the officers and men who man the ships are in conflict with those of the towns and counties after whom the ships are named, on which side should the decision be given [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]? [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]Even supposing the claims of each side were equally strongly held, can it be doubted for a moment that the paramount consideration should be the feelings of those who spend their lives in the ships [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]? [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]I say advisedly, [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]" [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]supposing the claims of each side were equally strongly held." It is however at least open to doubt whether a [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]" [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]name-ship [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]" [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]makes any really strong appeal to a county or town. There is at least one case [/FONT][FONT=Verdana][I]on[/I][/FONT][FONT=Verdana]record where the lord lieutenant of a county refused to admit that a county-class [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]cruiser was named after the county, but stated that she was named after the duke who took his title from the county.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]If, then, town and county names for ships are really unsatisfactory, what are likely to constitute the most desirable names [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]? [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]I suggest that people's names, even possibly great admirals' names, are open to the same drawback as towns and counties. I suggest that the ideal names of ships are those which are entirely impersonal, and that probably the most effective are those indicative of qualities or characteristics. Names such as [I]Powerful, Terrible, Daring, Invincible, Indomitable, Dreadnought [/I][/FONT][FONT=Verdana]; [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]all[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]such names carry a stimulus with them. While the captain of the [I]Daring [/I]can call to his men to live up to the ship's name, the captain of the [I]Durham [/I]cannot expect to evoke much enthusiasm by calling upon his ship's company to remember the distressed areas.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Next after names indicative of qualities, I should put previous ships' names [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]of [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]whatever nature, so long as they are impersonal. Birds, animals, objects of mythology, naval battles, all are probably equally good.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The writer has a personal preference for the more ancient ship names,[/FONT][FONT=Verdana]mostly an account of their more poetic sound, such as [I]Swiftsure [/I]and [I]Bonaventure [/I][/FONT][FONT=Verdana]; [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]while it is with almost a feeling of grievance that he reflects that for centuries the magic name [I]Golden Hind [/I]has not figured in the Navy List.[/FONT] Phoenix [/FONT][/quote] [FONT=Verdana]And here was the first reply .........[/FONT] [quote] [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana]I agree[/FONT][FONT=Verdana]with Phoenix, though it is only fair to remember that town and county names are as old as the 17th century, and many have famous records-e.g., the [I]Monmouth, Bedford, Gloucester, Southampton. [/I]Surely the great thing is to keep alive the names of famous ships, which I fancy our masters try to do? I would rather see the names of famous flagships-e.g., [I]Barfieur, Britannia, Formidable, Prince George, Revenge, Royal George, Royal Sovereign, Saint George, Triumph, Vanguard, Venerable-than [/I]the names of the admirals themselves.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Here are some [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]" [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]impersonal [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]" [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]names in the navy of Queen Anne, some of them inherited from her predecessors and all well known [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]:- [/FONT][I][FONT=Verdana]Bornadventure, Centurion, Dreadnought, Eagle, Garland, Lion, [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]Nightingale, Pearl, Phoenix, Resolution, Revenge, Ruby, Sapphire, Superb, Swiftsure, Tiger, Triton, Triecm$h, Vanguard, Warspight. [/FONT][/I][FONT=Verdana]I [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]do not forget, of course, that one or two of them are at present in use.[/FONT] H.I [/FONT][/FONT][/quote] [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana]Since these exchanges, another World War and other naval exploits such as the Falklands have passed. Do these views still ring true tioday I wonder?[/FONT][/FONT]

Another 'post' on the ship's names debate in The Naval Review 1935 .... [quote] [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana]While agreeing in the main with the remarks of Phoenix on this subject, I feel that there is another important consideration to be examined which has so far not been dealt with.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]There is, as Phoenix points out, a strong case for discontinuing the naming of warships after counties, especially those inland, having scarcely any connection with the sea, and probably caring even less[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]about it. Even with those on our seaboard, only a very limited number of their population lead a seafar'ing life, while by the diversity of their means of livelihood they cannot, as a whole, feel much proprietary interest in a ship called after them.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]On the other hand the case of the seaport towns, large or small, is surely very different. In war time the Navy is very greatly dependent on the men of the Royal Naval Reserve, who come to a great extent from the ports and fishing villages around our coasts. When one considers the work done by these men ]in the late war, in anti-submarine, convoying and coast patrols, and the great number of them who lost their lives in the Navy, it is surely quite appropriate that their memory should be honoured in this way. Nor do I believe that any sailor would object to the nomenclature in these circumstances; I certainly should not.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Moreover, I consider that the seaport towns feel a very definite interest and pride in the naming of a ship after them. I can quote an example. During the last autumn cruise of the Home Fleet my ship[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]called for a few days at just such a town on the East Coast of Scotland. After a civic lunch which I attended, the Mayor, in his speech, referred to the recent naming of a sloop after another town a little way down the coast. While in no way denying the right of this last town, he said that he considered the claims of his own were equally good. He gave figures showing the great number of its population who had served in the R.N.R. and lost their lives in the Great War and of the large percentage enrolled at the present day. He told of the great interest that was felt in the Navy, and, judging by the reception we were given, I have no doubt of it. He said, also, that he had written to the Admiralty stating these views, and thought this a fitting occasion on which to express them. I am pleased to see that he has since had his wish.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]This, admittedly, is a single instance, and forms the limit of my experience; but I feel that what is true of one port is probably true of another, and that, in any case, in these days, it is a good thing to give[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]the seafaring taxpayer a personal interest in his source of protection.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]Veng[/FONT] [/FONT][/quote] [FONT=Verdana]and finally ....[/FONT] [quote] [FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana][FONT=Verdana]The [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]article and comment on this subject in the February number of The Naval Review expresses very much what has been in the mind of the writer for a long time. Every year, in common with certain others interested in the same subject, he has made out a list of names for the new ships, only to be disappointed when the names are announced[/FONT][FONT=Verdana]! [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]The main complaint the writer has to make is in the introduction of new names which, while suitable in many cases, are used in preference to older names which still remain unused. Some names are definitely inappropriate: [I]Glowworm [/I]is a glaring example of this.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]It is worth while scanning the lists in detail[/FONT][FONT=Verdana]; [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]for, as is evident from the remarks of Phoenix and H.I , the subject is one which excites interest in the Service and is of some importance. The county cruisers were well named with one exception-the [I]Shropshire. [/I]There is no reason why a ship should not bear this name; but there are plenty of good reasons why such names as [I]Monmouth, Bedford, Essex [/I]and [I]Lancaster [/I]should have had preference. There can be very little excuse for introducing the name [I]Sheffield, [/I]though it is admitted that it [I]may [/I]be good propaganda. It is suggested that, as ships are paid for by the taxpayer, it is only reasonable to pay him the compliment of naming some after towns and counties. But there is no need to break fresh ground.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]When we come to the destroyers, however, we find some very unsuitable names. The revival of Tudor names is all very nice, but have not some of them a somewhat sentimental savour[/FONT][FONT=Verdana]? [/FONT][I][FONT=Verdana]Dainty [/FONT][/I][FONT=Verdana]is a yacht like name well suited to a surveying ship, perhaps [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]; [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]but to a destroyer no [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]! [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]The A, B, and C classes were all well named, but when we come to the D's we find [I]Dainty, Delight [/I]and [I]Duchess[/I][/FONT][FONT=Verdana]: [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]it is suggested that [I]Desperate, Dosher [/I]and [I]Driver [/I]would have been more in keeping with the nature of the vessels. Is [I]Escapade [/I]a suitable substitute for [I]Espiegle[/I][/FONT][FONT=Verdana]? [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]As the Naval Correspondent of [I]The Times [/I]pointed out, the name means [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]" [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]a mischievous caprice." In the movements of ships a short time ago the name was given as [I]Esplanade [/I][/FONT][FONT=Verdana]! [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]All the F names are good, but the G class contains [I]Grenade [/I]and [I]Gallant, [/I]most suitable for destroyers, it is agreed (though [I]Glowworm [/I]is not [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]!), [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]but why not [I]Gadfly , Garnet, Ghurka, Gorgon [/I]or [I]Goshawk? [/I]Again, in the H class we have [I]Hereward, Hostile [/I]and [I]Hyperion. [/I]The last is not even appropriate, as the Titan who originated the name had no particular connection with the sea and only one ship has ever borne the name before. Why have the fine destroyer names of [I]Haughty [/I]and [I]Hornet [/I]been omitted? [I]Hound, Hope [/I]and [I]Highflyer [/I]might well have been revived.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]The scheme of naming the new minesweeping sloops after the old torpedo gunboats is excellent, but the small coastal sloops named after birds might well have received more striking names such as [I]Lively, Attack [/I]and [I]Menace. [/I]Even if the bird names were good, surely there is no excuse for introducing new ones such as [I]Pufin. [/I]One visualizes a football match between the [I]Pufflin [/I]and the [I]Glowworm [/I]with the supporters on the touchline urging on their sides with cries of [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]" [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]Play up Puffins!" and [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]" [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]Come on Glowworms!" On the whole, taking the country at large and the Service in particular, it ,is probable that the most popular selection of names for the new cruisers would have been [I]Dreadnought, Ocean, Swiftsure, Triumph [/I]and [I]Formidable.[/I][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]In conclusion, may we hope to see some [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]" [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]Royal [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]" [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]names again soon [/FONT][FONT=Verdana]? [/FONT][I][FONT=Verdana]Royal George [/FONT][/I][FONT=Verdana]and [I]Prince of Wales [/I]are names wich should not be long absent from the Navy List.[/FONT] [FONT=Verdana]TEDIU[/FONT] [/FONT][/FONT][/quote] The comment about naming a ship [I]Sheffield [/I]in the second paragraph of TEIDU's post has a big OUCH factor now ..!!

Hi, Dreanought.The long forgotten name was reclaimed when they called the shore base in Sydney HMS Golden Hind. Doug. Birch

So here's an American "former naval person" sticking his nose in. One of my favorite books is Manning and Walker's "British Warship Names." I enjoy reading the introductory passages and of course the dictionary part itself is a real romp through history, ancient and modern. I've always felt the British have a leg up in finding fine names for warships. The dreanoughts overflow with the names of mighty warriors of the past and names that really sound like they belong to the type of ship they represent. Thunderer, Monarch, Conqueror...of course a Warspite to confuse those who don't read the history books...Bellrophon, Vanguard, Superb, Swiftsure...America was never able to follow that pattern. Of course the great latin and greek references don't hurt either. Later on, it got a bit squirrely, but with huge numbers of ships needing names, that's not surprising. The US used to have a good system going, even though it relied on rather dry state and city names, along with a few famous battles, including those with some people from across the Atlantic early on, things like that. Nowadays, it seems every other ship has to be named for an idiot politician, which I dislike intensely. Give me an Emperor of India any day... :)

:D[QUOTE=Don Boyer;86063]So here's an American "former naval person" sticking his nose in. One of my favorite books is Manning and Walker's "British Warship Names." I enjoy reading the introductory passages and of course the dictionary part itself is a real romp through history, ancient and modern. I've always felt the British have a leg up in finding fine names for warships. The dreanoughts overflow with the names of mighty warriors of the past and names that really sound like they belong to the type of ship they represent. Thunderer, Monarch, Conqueror...of course a Warspite to confuse those who don't read the history books...Bellrophon, Vanguard, Superb, Swiftsure...America was never able to follow that pattern. Of course the great latin and greek references don't hurt either. Later on, it got a bit squirrely, but with huge numbers of ships needing names, that's not surprising. The US used to have a good system going, even though it relied on rather dry state and city names, along with a few famous battles, including those with some people from across the Atlantic early on, things like that. Nowadays, it seems every other ship has to be named for an idiot politician, which I dislike intensely. Give me an Emperor of India any day... :)[/QUOTE] Some of these very old names had some very odd 'transliterations', the only one I can remember was 'Billy Ruffian' for Bellerophon!! Edna

Edna, others included:- Agmemnon - 'Aggie Weston' Superb - 'Super B' Flamingo - 'Flaming O' Sharpshooter - unmentionable in polite society. Lots of others that I've forgotten. Ken

Thanks, Ken, anyone got anymore ??? Edna

Hi all.Ships names and nicknames abound.Royal soveriegn for instance being "Tiddly Quid" Jack will always find a nickname for his ship! Some names astound me however.I know all T Class submarines were started with the letter T,but who in the hell thought of TIPTOE and why. Here's one for our American friends.I know France helped you a lot in your War of Independance,but who the heck was BON HOMME RICHARD? Regards Steve.:confused: [ATTACH]66257[/ATTACH] We come unclean oops Unseen
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Whilst Wikipedia is by no means authoritative (do I hear "You can say that again"?), it has a listing of a fair number of nicknames under "List of warships by nickname". However, as well as the usual words of caution about that particular website, I'm not convinced that all of the nicknames given were used by Jolly Jack (or his equivalent in other navies) - some may have been invented by pressmen or other writers. Still, the webpage may jog a few memories. Tim

[QUOTE] Hi all.Ships names and nicknames abound.Royal soveriegn for instance being "Tiddly Quid" Jack will always find a nickname for his ship! Some names astound me however.I know all T Class submarines were started with the letter T,but who in the hell thought of TIPTOE and why. Here's one for our American friends.I know France helped you a lot in your War of Independance,but who the heck was BON HOMME RICHARD? Regards Steve.:confused: [/QUOTE] Steve, Hms/m Tiptoe was given the name by none other than Sir Winston Churchill in 1944. He actually gave names to quite a few submarines. Regards Alan

Thanks Alan. I bow to his superior judgment.I wonder if he had just seen the filmm "The Red Shoes"? I believe Tiptoe had amongst her trophies a pair of Moira Andersons ballet shoes(Now in the sub museum) Cheers Steve.:D [ATTACH]66274[/ATTACH] We come unclean oops Unseen
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Hi Alan. Could this be anything to do with Churchill saying that he wanted sailors to die for a ships name and not a number.A lot of subs in World War 2 had only numbers ie P123 not names,and a number due to be renamed were lost before the paperwork was complete? Cheers Steve.:confused: [ATTACH]66278[/ATTACH] We come unclean oops Unseen
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Steve, you are correct with your theory. Churchill insisted that the boats all be given names. I don't know how many were lost before they were named. Stopfords book gives an example of Hms/m Truant which had a badge of a dog loose on a lead, no pattern of it exists and so the badge was never officially produced, however I think there are several unofficial badges of the design around. Regards Alan

Hi Alan. Sorry to be so long in getting back to you on your last post,had to go down to the sub museum to look at the memorial.Its now there,though it used to stand on the Thames Embankment. There were 10 subs went down with just Pennant numbers and no names.H31,H49,P32,P33,P36,P39,P514,and P311.There were then of course 8 X-Craft,3,9,8,5,6,7,10,22. Many regards Steve.:(

Hello All. I have heard that HMS Glamorgan was nick named [I]The Glamourous Organ and [/I]; HMS Invincible = [I]Invisible[/I] A question for your combined extensive knowledge. Was there ever a ship named HMS Holbrook? Yours Aye Andy

HMS TRUELOVE (J303) Launched in 1943. contract to USN cancelled, RN took the contract on her in 44 and was scrapped in 1957, I last saw her alongside at Chatham dockyard in 1955. Pictured here in 1947 in GrandHarbour, Malta with a County class cruiser in the back ground---any ideas of the name of the cruiser sitting there?
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Hi Steve! Re your post 27 I believe the Bonne Homme Richard (Bonny Dick)was a ship the US took over from the French at about the time of the Revolutionary War.She was named after Benjamin Franklin who was called that by the French during his time as Ambassador to France. I don't know the original name.of the ship. Cheers John O'C.

HiJohn.Thanks a million for that info..Many Regards...Steve.:)

Other than "220" which our friend Dave220 will be familiar, nicknames I recall from my own time in mob:- "Daffy".............LLANDAFF "The White Tornado"..............AJAX "Queen Bee".......BARROSA "Dildo".............DIDO "Black Brock"...BROCKLESBY (Hunt Class Destroyer) "Chi"............CHICHESTER

Was it the RED PLUM for the ENDEVOUR?

Hi Dave the Endurance was indeed known as the Red Plum. Also Canberra when STUFT during the Falkland Conflict was known as The Great White Whale! D Regards Steve.

John O'C Bonne Homme Richard was originally "Duc du Duras", a frigate but to start with she was an East Indiaman. Hope this is helpful. best wishes Jan

Andy I can find no record of an HMS Holbrook though others with greater knowledge than me may come across one. Ships have always had nicknames. In Nelson's fleet, for instance, the Bellerophon was always known as, "Billy Ruffian". In more recent times HMS Weston Super Mare was "Aggies on horseback" In my own time I remember: Bulwark - the Rusty B Cleopatra - Cleo Charybdis - Cherry B Hermione - Hermy one Ajax - the white tornado Ariadne - Harry had me There must be many more best wishes Jan

I remember these from my time. Duncan - Drunken Lincoln - Stinkin Penelope - pronounced as Antelope Antelope - Pronounced as Penelope Bucchante - Bagshantie

Whalerman...........thanks for nudging memory.......of course....2nd FS....... "Drunken" DUNCAN (as you mention) "Krabby K" KEPPEL "Mad" MURRAY (seldom entered harbour below 15 knots) "Grubby" GRAFTON :D:D

A cople more nicknames. Dreadnought (submarine. "Doughnut". Hermes111 "Happy H" Wizard "Merlin". Merlin. "Wizard" Such is Jack's inverted sense of humour.Regards Steve.

[QUOTE=Jan Steer;107903]Andy I can find no record of an HMS Holbrook though others with greater knowledge than me may come across one. best wishes Jan[/QUOTE] Jan. Thanks for looking Andy

Andy - whilst no "HMS Holbrook", there is of course "Royal Hospital School, Holbrook" (Suffolk), which has strong RN connections.

[QUOTE=Scurs;108424]Whalerman...........thanks for nudging memory.......of course....2nd FS....... "Drunken" DUNCAN (as you mention) "Krabby K" KEPPEL "Mad" MURRAY (seldom entered harbour below 15 knots) "Grubby" GRAFTON :D:D[/QUOTE] Hi Scurs Keppel was the "Krazy K" when I was onboard.

As I can recall HMS Claverhouse,Forth RNR unit attached minesweeper was called HMS Killiecrankie for years. this was to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Killiecrankie by John Grahem of Claverhouse "Bonnie Dundee". Then someone down in the Admiralty must have noticed that it was the Government forces that were defeated at Killiecrankie by the Covenanters. I imagine the conversation was on the lines "Can't have a naval ship named after a bunch of rebels, can we". So the attached minesweeper then kept its own name, the last I think was Kirkliston.

[QUOTE=whalerman;109443]As I can recall HMS Claverhouse,Forth RNR unit attached minesweeper was called HMS Killiecrankie for years. this was to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Killiecrankie by John Grahem of Claverhouse "Bonnie Dundee". Then someone down in the Admiralty must have noticed that it was the Government forces that were defeated at Killiecrankie by the Covenanters. I imagine the conversation was on the lines "Can't have a naval ship named after a bunch of rebels, can we". So the attached minesweeper then kept its own name, the last I think was Kirkliston.[/QUOTE] Last Forth RNR Ton Class ship was KEDLESTON (1977 - 1985). Then they must have been given a River Class.




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