HMS Gibraltar

Seven ships of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Gibraltar, after the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.


 * The first Gibraltar was a 20-gun sixth-rate built in 1711, rebuilt 1727, and sold 1748. It was the first command of John Byng, who was afterwards to be court-martialled and executed in the opening stages of the Seven Years' War.
 * The second Gibraltar was a 20-gun sixth-rate in service from 1754 to 1773.
 * The third Gibraltar was an American 14-gun brig captured in 1779, then in turn captured by the Spanish in 1781 and renamed Salvador, then recaptured by HMS Anson in 1800.
 * The fourth Gibraltar was the 80-gun Spanish Fénix captured at the battle of Cape St. Vincent in 1780, used as a powder hulk in 1813 and broken up in 1836.
 * The fifth Gibraltar was a 101-gun screw first-rate launched in 1860, on loan as a training ship in 1872, renamed Grampian in 1889, and sold 1899.
 * The sixth Gibraltar was an Edgar-class cruiser launched in 1892, made into a depot ship in 1912, and sold 1923.
 * The seventh Gibraltar was to have been a 45,000 ton aircraft carrier, ordered from Vickers Armstrong on 15 September 1943, but cancelled in October 1945.