Historic British Ships

historic british ships

The British navy was the world’s first super power on the high seas producing ships that made a mark in history. The British navy fleets were very active during WWI and the Cold War hunting more enemy ships and submarines than any of the allied forces. Britons did not only excel in warships but also in civilian British ships like SS Great Britain, which is the first steam ship rolled out for high-class passenger ship. The three British ships that left some good marks in history are the HMS Victory, HMS Belfast, and the SS Great Britain.

The HMS Victory

first royal navy ship

HMS Victory is the world’s first number one battleship commissioned by the Royal Navy in 1778. The navy flagship led the other 27 British ships during the Battle of Trafalgar on October 1805. She had three gun decks that mounted 100 guns making her the most formidable force on the sea during the battle. Among the famous British admirals who had HMS Victory as their flagship where Kempenfelt, Howe, Hood, Jervis, Saumez, and Vice Admiral Lord Horaldo Nelson who flew HMS Victory’s flag during to block the French fleet under Admiral Toulon. Thanks to the well-seasoned wood of HMS Victory, she still stands proud at the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard open for visitors to see.

The HMS Belfast

royal navy cruiser

HMS Belfast is the first among the British ships to carry the name Royal Navy (RN). She was launched on March 1938 and began service just a month before WWII broke out. HMS Belfast led the British navy blockade of German ships, participated during the Arctic convoy to the Soviet Union, played a key role during the Battle of North Cape, became part of Operation Overload during the Normandy landing, and joined the British Pacific fleet just before WWII ended. Because of her numerous contribution to the Royal Navy, she’s now honored to become a floating Imperial War Museum anchored at the river Thames near the Tower Bridge.

The SS Great Britain

historic passenger ship

Early British ships were not only the pride of the British army but also the glory of few privileged Britons who can afford to travel in luxury ships. The SS Great Britain is the first advanced passenger steamship travelling between Bristol and New York. She was the largest ironclad passenger steamship powered by screw propeller during her time that can carry 252 passengers and 130 crew. Since 1846, she became an immigrant ship transporting Britons to Australia for 24 years. SS Great Britain also participated in the Crimean War augmenting British ships to carry troops. After many afflictions during service, she was restored to her former glory on July 2005 and now became the top attraction in Bristol.

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