Name Histories A

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

Name Origin: “Slave of the merciful one”. Name of the present Sultan; born 1842, succeeded to the throne 1876.

Name Origin: “Slave of the praised one”. Name of the father of the present Sultan.

Name Origin: John C. Hamilton-Gordon, seventh Earl of Aberdeen, born 1847. After having been Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for six months in 1886, he was Governor General of Canada from 1893 to 1898, and is again Lord Lieutenant of Ireland since 1905.

Aboukir

Name Origin: Commemorates the capture at the Battle of the Nile fought in Aboukir Bay on August 1^st 1798, by Sir Horatio Nelson’s squadron, of the French 74-gun ship Aquilon, Captain H. A. Thevenard. She was anchored as the fourth ship in the line and struck at about 9.30 p.m., after having sustained the fire of the Minotaur, Leander, and Theseus. The Aquilon was subsequently commissioned for service in the Royal Navy, being renamed Aboukir in honour of the victory.

The third “Aboukir” was a 90-gun ship launched at Plymouth in 1848. She was of 3083 tons, and carried a crew of 830 men. Her length, beam, and draught were 204ft., 60ft., and 19ft. This vessel was fitted with a screw and engines of 400-horse power. From 1863 to 1877 she acted a receiving ship at Jamaica, and in 1877 she was sold.

Absalon

Name Origin: Absalon, Archbishop of Lund, Primate of the Scandinavian Islands; born 1128, died 1201. He was a relative of King Waldemar I of Denmark, and served him loyally in peace and war. He led an expedition by sea against the island of Rugen, whose heathen inhabitants he conquered and Christianise, built a strong castle on the site of the present city of Copenhagen, and extended the Danish conquests in Mecklenburg and Esthonia. He materially assisted the King in framing a code of laws, and invited Saxo Gramaticus to write the history of Denmark.

Acadia

Name Origin: The old name for the peninsula on the east coast of North America, south of the St. Lawrence River. Comprising Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Lower Canada, and the State of Maine. First colonised by France in 1604, it remained a French province until 1713, when it fell to England.

Acevedo

Name Origin: Admiral Don Francisco de Acevedo. He was in command of the naval forces at the reconquest of San Salvador (Bahia) in Brazil, and distinguished himself subsequently at the siege of Rochelle. He died 1630.

Acheloos

Name Origin: The ancient name for one of the largest Greek rivers, now called Aspropotamos, which flows into the Ionian Sea at the entrance of the Gulf of Patras. The god of this river in mythology was supposed to be the oldest f all river gods, and the father of the Sirens.

Acheron

Name Origin: In Greek mythology the name of one of the rivers of Hades (the nether regions) round which the shades of the dead were said to hover, and across which the mythical boatman Charon ferried them.

The fifth “Acheron” was a 28 gun screw vessel, launched at Millwall in 1865 as the “Northumberland.” She was of 10,780 tons, 4000 horsepower, and 14 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 400 ft., 59ft., and 28ft. For many years this vessel acted as a stokers training ship at Chatham, and she was subsequently converted into a floating coal depot.

Acheron

Name Origin: (New South Wales) In Greek mythology the name of one of the rivers of Hades (the nether regions) round which the shades of the dead were said to hover, and across which the mythical boatman Charon ferried them.

Acheron

Achilles

Name Origin : The chief hero of Homer’s Iliad, son of King Peleus and the nereid Thetis. He led the Myrmidons during the Trojan War, and was a terror to the foe. Having quarrelled with Agamemnon he remained inactive in his camp, until roused into action by the death of his friend Patroclus at the hands of Hector, the leader of the Trojans. Clad in armour made by Hephaestus (Vulcan), he met Hector in single combat, slew him and dragged his body in triumph round the walls of Troy. Later poets ascribe his death to Paris, who hit him with an arrow in the heel, the only vulnerable spot in his body.

The seventh “Achilles” was a 50-gun screw ship, launched at Chatham in 1861. She was of 9820 tons, 5720 horsepower, and 14 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 380ft., 58ft., and 27ft. In 1879 the “Achilles” commanded by Captain Sir William Hewett, was one of a squadron of six ships under Vice-Admiral Hornby, with his flag in “Alexandra,” which cleared for action and proceeded through the Dardanelles to Constantinople to protect British interests during the conflict between Russia and Turkey. The Turks did not obstruct the passage of the ships, and no fighting took place. The “Achilles,” if fighting had occurred, was to have silenced Namasghia. Admiral Geoffrey Hornby was deservedly rewarded with a K.C.B. for his tactful management of the situation. In 1882 the “Achilles” commanded by Captain Edward Kelly, arrived to late to take part in the bombardment of Alexandria, but she assisted in the occupation of the town, and Captain Edward Kelly became the head of the transport service. The “Achilles” eventually went to Malta to act as depot ship, and her name was changed to “Hibernia.” This vessel’s name was again changed, this time to “Egmont” in 1904, when a first class battleship was laid down as the “Hibernia.”

Acre

Name Origin: Name of a territory ceded by Bolivia to Brazil, by treaty dated November 21^st 1903.

Actaeon

The seventh “Actaeon” is a 26-gun screw frigate, launched as the “Ariadne” at Deptford in 1859. She is of 4538 tons, 3350 horsepower, and carried a crew of 250 men. Her length, beam, and draught were 280ft., 51ft., and 16ft. In 1905 this vessel became the Torpedo School at Sheerness.

Adalia

Name Origin: Town in Asia Minor.

Adamastor

Name Origin: In the celebrated Portuguese poet Camoens Luisiad the name of the spirit of the Cape of Good Hope, who appears to Vasco da Gama’s fleet at night in the shapes of an awe-inspiring giant, and threatens revenge on the bold navigators for venturing to explore the secrets of his unknown sea.

Admiral Greig

Name Origin: Samuel Greig, a native of Scotland; born 1736, died 1788. Entering the British Navy, he was present at the battle of Quiberon in 1759. In 1764 he joined the Russian naval service, and soon rose to high rank. The total destruction of the Turkish fleet at Chesme in 1770 was mainly due to him. In 1788 he commanded in the Baltic and fought the Swedish fleet off Gogland, blockading it afterwards in the harbour of Sveaborg.

Admiral Kornilov

Name Origin: Waldimir Alexeievitch Korniloff, born 1806, died 1854. He took part in the destruction of the Turkish squadron at Sinope in 1853, and greatly distinguished himself in the defence of Sebastopol during the Crimean War, when he was mortally wounded.

Admiral Lazarev

Name Origin: Michael Pertrovitch Lazareff, born 1788, died 1851. He served from 1803 to 1808 onboard British ships. In 1820 he accompanied Bellinghausen on his voyage round the world, and again circumnavigated the globe as Captain 1822-1825. He commanded a division of the Russian fleet at the battle of Navarino 1827, and was Commander of the Black Sea fleet in 1834.

Admiral Makaroff

Name Origin: Stepan Ossipovitch Makaroff, born 1848, died 1904. He entered the Navy in 1864 and took part in the Russian-Turkish War 1877-1878, as Lieutenant in command of an auxiliary cruiser in the Black Sea. From 1886 to 1889, in command of the Vitiaz he carried out important and valuable hydrographer researches in the Northern Pacific, which work he continued whilst Commander-in-Chief on the station 1894-1896. From 1899 to 1904 he was governor of Kronstadt. The great icebreaker Yermak was built after his designs, and he undertook a voyage in her to Franz-Joseph-land. Soon after the outbreak of the war with Japan in 1904 he was appointed to succeed Admiral Stark in command of the fleet blockaded in Port Arthur. He at once displayed great activity and resource, and on April 13^th he took out the fleet on a reconnaissance for the first time. On returning into port his flagship, the battleship Petropavlovsk, struck a floating mine and foundered at once, carrying with her Admiral and all but a few of her crew.

Admiral Spiridoff

Name Origin: Gergor Andreievitch Spiridoff took part in the campaign in the Sea of Azov 1736-1739, and in 1756 in the actions of Copenhagen and Stralsund. In 1760 he became Commandant of Reval, and later of Kronstadt. In the victorious battle against the Turks off Chesme in 1770 he commanded the van of the Russian fleet, when his flagship blew up, but he was saved. He improved the harbour of Poros, and established an atsenal and hospital there. In 1774 he was promoted to Admiral and retired from the service.

Admiral Tchitchagoff

Name Origin: Paul Vassilievitch Tehitchagoff, General and Admiral; born 1762, died 1849. He was the son of Admiral Tchitchagoff, who commanded in the Baltic during the war with Sweden, 1788-1790, and who defeated the Swedes off Reval in the latter year. He entered the Navy in 1782, became a Vice Admiral in 1802, and on an Admiral in 1807. In 1812, during the invasion of Russia by the French, he raised and commanded the third Western army in Volhynia, and opposed and retarded Napoleon’s passage of the Beresina on the retreat from Moscow. He quitted the service not long afterwards.

Admiral van Wassenaer

Name Origin: Jan van Wassener, Heer van (lord of) Obdam, was originally a Cavalry officer, who, late in life, joined the Navy. In 1653, after the death of Admiral Martin H. Tromp, he was appointed Commander in Chief of the Dutch Navy, and sent a few years later with a squadron to assist the Danes against the Swedes. He defeated the latter in the Soun, off Cronborg in 1658. On June 13^th 1665, he commanded the fleet at the battle of Lowestoftoff the North Foreland, against the British under the Duke of york. His flagship, the Eendragt, blew up during the action, and Wassenaer, with the greater part of his crew, perished in the explosion.

Adolf Hertog van Nassau

Name Origin: Adolphus, Duke of Nassau, younger brother of William the Silent. He was killed in the battle of Heiligerlee, May 23^rd 1568, where Louis and Adolphus of Nassau defeated the Spaniards under Aremberg.

Adventure

The thirteenth “Adventure” was a 2-gun screw troop ship, launched at Birkenhead as the “Resolute” in 1855. She was of 1793 tons, 400-horse power, and 11 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 283ft., 36ft., and 20ft. In 1857 this vessel was re-named “Adventure,” and was used as a troop-ship. In 1858 the “Adventure” was engaged in the second China war. In August of this year she landed a brigade, whom, co-operating with 6 ships, attacked and captured the town of Namtao near Hong Kong. Two brass guns were brought off, and the place was pillaged and partially burnt. In 1860 some officers and men from the “Adventure” assisted in the attack and capture of the Taku Forts. In 1877 the “Adventure” was broken up at Chatham.

The fifteenth “Adventure” is a twin-screw scout, launched at Elswick in1904. She is of 2670 tons, 15,920 horsepower, and 25 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught are 374ft., 38ft., and 14ft. This vessel’s original name was “Eddystone,” but it was changed to “Adventure” before launching.

Adzuma

Name Origin: Literally, this word signifies “My wife,” and the application of such a term to a man-of-war is due to the fact that it is the name given collectively to several provinces lying to the east of the great mountain Fuji. But the origin of the word itself its traceable to a deeply interesting episode in the ancient history of Japan, and it should be explained that it is the Japanese emperor’s custom to bestow names on his warships himself; and as His Majesty exhibits great taste and skill in poetic composition, and his efforts in the direction possess infinite charm, revealing as they do the depth of his imperial sympathy and tenderness of heart for the people over whom he rules, it follows almost as a matter of course that the poetic element is largely prevalent in the character of the titles which he gives to his “floating castles.”

It was during the reign to the twelfth Emperor Keiko that the famous Prince Yamato-Dake, the Heirapparent set out for the north-eastern parts of the main island of Nihon with the intention of subduing the Ainu aborigines, who were not then, as now, confined to the island of Yeso, but were spread over the entire region north of Yedo Bay. In the course of the operations Prince Yamato-Dake had to cross this bay in a small boat, and his consort, the Princess Tachibana, accompanied him. On the voyage, which is one of several leagues from Sagami to the opposite shore of Kadzusa, a storm arose, and the frail craft was on the point of foundering. Then the princess, anxious to appease Neptune, and so secure a safe passage for the prince, sprang overboard, exclaiming, “O Neptune, King of Ocean, take me, but spare my husband!” And to the princes she cried out, “Finish thou the task on which thou wert despatched!” She then disappeared beneath the waves, and the sea became calm, the boat ultimately reaching Kadzusa in safety. A comb, which the princess had worn in her hair, was afterwards washed ashore, and the villagers, in profound sorrow, reverently laid it for safe keeping in a mausoleum that is still pointed out to passers by. Prince Yamato-Dake finally subjugated the Ainus, and some time afterwards was returning to the capital by way of the Nakasen-do, or Inner Mountain Road, which necessitated his climbing the celebrated Usui Pass, in the vicinity of Mount Asama (8000 feet), and as he gazed from this lofty position on the distant sea which had engulfed her, he cried aloud in his auguish, “O Adzuma! O Adzuma!” (“My wife! My wife!”) in tender recollection of her who had sacrificed her life for his sake. Adzuma has, from ancient days, been the title given in poetry to that part of Japan immediately to the east of this mountain pass.

Aeger

Name Origin: In Norse mythology a giant of the storm wind, and god of the sea. His wife Ran bore him nine daughters, goddesses of the waves.

Aegialia

Name Origin: The ancient name of the Peloponnesus, now the name of a province in it. Many towns and islands bore that name in ancient Greece, as it means a “country near the shore.”

Aegir

Name Origin: In Norse mythology a giant of the storm wind and god of the sea. His wife Ram bore him nine daughters, spirits of the waves.

Aeolus

Name Origin: In Greek mythology the god of the winds. He reigned over the Aeolian Islands, now called the Lipari Group, northeast of Sicily. Zeus (Jupiter) entrusted him with the dominion of the winds, which were kept by him in a cave, under the mountain of Stromboli.

Aeran

Name Origin: Glory.

Affondatore

Name Origin: Name derived from the verb affondare, to sink; the sinker.

Affonso de Albuquerque

Name Origin: A great seaman and conqueror, born 1453, died 1515. A member of a noble family, descended from the ancient kings of Portugal, he was educated at the court of Alphonso V, and entering the Navy, soon distinguished he. Sent in 1503 in command of a fleet to the East Indies, he captured the islands of Socotora and Ormuz, and blockaded the trade routes of the Venetians and Genoese. He was made Viceroy of India in 1508, conquered Goa in 1510, and Malacca and Ceylon in the following years. He bombarded Aden, and recaptured Ormuz in 1515. Having been calumniated at Court, he was deposed from his Viceroyalty; but his age, wounds, and ill health caused his death onboard a man of war in sight of Goa on December 16^th 1515.

Africa

Name Origin: The name was revived in 1904 in honour of the numerous and extensive British possessions and protectorates situated in every part of this great continent.

Africa

Name Origin: Portugal possesses ancient colonies on that continent.

Africa

Afridi

Name Origin: The most powerful and turbulent of the tribe inhabits the mountainous districts between British India and Afghanistan. They formerly held the Kyber adjoining Passes, levying toll on all travellers, but have gradually been brought to acknowledge British rule.

Afroessa

Name Origin: “The foam of the sea,” a name frequently borne by ancient Greek vessels. Aphrodite the Greek name for Venus, means “foam born.”

Agamemnon

Name Origin: In homer’s Iliad the king of Mycene and brother of Menelaus, king of Sparta, the rape of whose wife by the Trojan Paris led to the Trojan war. Agamemnon commanded the Greek forces during the siege of Troy, and was slain on his return home by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus.

The second “Agamemnon” was a 91-gun vessel, launched at Woolwich in 1852. She owned the distinction of being the first screw line of battleship actually built as such. She was of 3102 tons, and carried a crew of 850 men. With 600 horsepower she had a speed of 11 knots. Her length, beam and draught were 230ft., 55ft., and 24ft. In 1854 the “Agamemnon,” flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, and commanded by Captain Thomas M.C. Symonds, was on the Bulgarian coast in order to be of assistance to the Turks, when Great Britain formally declared war against Russia on March 27^th. On May 19^th the “Agamemnon” was one of an Anglo-French squadron, which bombarded and drove the Russians out of Redout Kaleh, an operation that enabled the Turks to take possession of the place. On September 26^th the “Agamemnon” was one of a squadron, which took possession of Balaclava, and then contributed 200 seamen to a large Naval Brigade, which was being landed to assist the army in the attack upon Sebastopol from the landward side. On October 17^th the “Agamemnon” commanded by Captain Wm. Robert Mends, and flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, was one of a combined Anglo-French and Turkish fleet of 54 vessels under Vice-Admiral Dundas, with his flag in “Britannia,” which took part in the first bombardment of Sebastopol. The attack from the landside began soon after daybreak. There being no wind the steam vessels towed the sailing ships into their place of action, the fleet being led in by the “Agameemnon” which took a place about 1000 yards from the fort Constantine. The fleet bombarded from 6 p.m., and then withdrew having lost 44 killed and 266 wounded. The French lost 212 killed and wounded, but the Russians in Sebastopol admitted a loss of 1100 killed and wounded, though the real number was believed to be much nearer 5000. The British ships suffered severely in the masts, yards, and rigging, but very little serious damage was done to the Russian batteries. The “Agamemnon” twice caught fire, had 4 killed and 25 wounded, and owing to her nearness to the forts suffered very severely. She was almost a wreck, and had been hit no less than 280 times. At one time the “Agamemnon” was nearly overpowered, but remarking “I’m damned if I leave this,” Sir Edmund Lyions signalled to the “bellerophon” to relieve the fire, which she did. On May 22^nd, 1855, the “Agamemnon” was one of a British fleet of 33 vessels co-operating with French, Turkish, and Sardinian forces, under Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, who flew his flag in “Royal Albert,” which sailed from Kamiesh Bay. On May 24^th they reached Kertch and landed troops. The Russians blew up their fortifications, abandoned hundred guns, and retired, after having destroyed 3 steamers, several other heavily armed vessels, as well as large quantities of provisions, ammunition, and stores. These results were affected without loss to the Allies, who captured 12,000 tons of coal. The general handiness of the “Agamemnon” during these operations was much commented on. Sir Edmund Lyons used her with such constancy for small ship work that she was nicknamed “Lyon’s brougham.” On October 7^th, 1855, the “Agamemnon” sailed from Sebastopol in an Anglo-French fleet of about 90 vessels, with nearly 10,000 troops, under Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Lyons, with his flag in “Royal Albert.” They were to attack the fortress of Kinburn, and so harass the communications and rear of the large Russian army in the Crimea. They arrived off Kinburn on the 14^th and landed the troops. The ships anchored with only 2 feet of water under their keels, and began a tremendous bombardment at 9.30 a.m. on October 17^th, while the troops threatened from the landward side. After a few hours the Russians surrendered, and were permitted to march out with the honours of war, having only lost 45 killed and 130 wounded. The British had but 2 people hurt, and their injuries were due to a bursting of a gun in the “Arrow.” The employment of 3 French armoured vessels makes this action noteworthy, as well as the fact that only steam vessels were employed. In 1857 the “Agamemnon” commanded by Master Cornelius Thomas Nodal, made an attempt, in co-operation with an American Frigate, to lay the first Atlantic telegraph cable. When 355 miles of cable had been paid out, it unfortunately parted, and the operations perforce ceased. In July 1858 the “Agamemnon” commanded by Captain George William Preedy, successfully laid the first Atlantic submarine cable from Queenstown to Newfoundland. On one occasion a whale fouled the cable but fortunately no damage was done. The American frigate “Niagara,” which laid the Western half.

The third “Agamemnon” was a twin-screw 4-gun turret ship, launched at Chatham in1879. She was of 8490 tons, 6000 horsepower, and 13 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 280ft., 66ft., and 24ft. This ship was one of a type specially built to allow of their passage through the Suez Canal. On going through in 1885, however, she ran aground many times and held up the traffic for several days. She eventually got through to China, and under the command of Captain Samuel Long, she shadowed the Russian flagship “Vladimir Monomach” at a time of national crisis. In 1888 the “Agamemnon” commanded by Captain Charles Searle Cardale, was one of a fleet in “Boadicea,” which took part in the blockade of the Zanzibar Littoral . This was undertaken in the interests of the suppression of the slavery, and partly in consequence of the revolt of the several of the coast towns against German authority. Apart from the capture of the slave dhows, the incident of the blockade was of an uninteresting nature. In 1903 the “Agamemnon” was sold.

Agile

Name Origin: Agile

Agordat

Name Origin: A place in Abyssinia where, in 1893 the Italians under Arimondi defeated the natives.

Agostino Barbarigo

Name Origin: One of the leaders of the Venetian fleet, which took part in the battle of Lepanto in 1571. He distinguished himself greatly in this memorable and sanguinary fight of united Christians against the infidel, was severely wounded, and died an hour after victory was assured.

Aidon

Name Origin: Nightingale.

Aigrette

Name Origin: Egret, a small white heron.

Ainali-Kavak

Name Origin: A places close to the arsenal at Constantinople.

Aintab

Name Origin: Town in Asia Minor, near Aleppo.

Airone

Name Origin: Heron.

Ak-Hissar

Name Origin: White castle, a town in Asia Minor.

Akagi

Name Origin: Literally, “Red castle.” This is the name of a mountain 6250 feet high, situated in the province of Kodzuke, 70 miles N.W. of Tokyo.

Akashi

Name Origin: Literally, “Brilliant stone,” the name of a town in Harima province, close to the Inland Sea, standing amid lovely some thirteen miles west of the port of Kobe. The locality is famous as the resting place of a celebrated poet who was canonised, and whose spirit is believed by the Japanese people to have taken up its abode in an adjacent hill, in the very midst of those Nature’s glories that inspired his loftiest efforts and prompted the most admired of all his compositions.

Akebono

Name Origin: Literally, “Morning twilight.”

Aki

Name Origin: The province otherwise known as Geishiu, in which is situated the great naval depot and arsenal of Kure.

Akitsushima

Name Origin: An ancient name for Japan deprived as some say, from its resemblance in shape on the map to a dragonfly; or as others claim in recognition to its abundant harvests.

Akka

Name Origin: The town of St. Jean d’ Acre, on the coast of Syria.

Aktion

Name Origin: In Latin “Actium,” a cape in the north of the province of Acarnania, at the entrance of the gulf of Arta, now called Punta, where on September 2^nd 31 B.C., the great naval battle was fought between Octavius and Mark Antony. The former was victorious, and Antony fled on being deserted by his ally Cleopatra. Once before in 435 B.C. it was the scene of a naval action, when the Corcyrians defeated the Corinthians.

Alacrity

The fifth “Alacrity” was a twin-screw despatch vessel, launched at Palmers Yard. Jarrow-on-Tyne, in 1885. She was of 1700 tons, 300-horse power, and 18 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 250ft, 32ft, and 14ft. In 1900 the “Alacrity,” commanded by commander Christopher George F. M. Cradock, took part in the third Chinese war or Boxer riots. On June the 16^th commander Cradock landed at the head of a combined Anglo-German-Russian-Japanese-Italian-Austrian brigade of 35 officers and 869 men, and co-operated with the allied ships on the attack on the Taku Forts. After the ships had effectively bombarded the forts, the allied brigade advanced to the attack, but finding the Chinese still needed further punishment, they took shelter in the cover afforded by a bend in the river. At 4.30 a.m. on the 17^th the allies advanced, and captured all the forts on the north side of the river. The British and Japanese scaled the parapet together, the Japanese commander being the first man up. Having assisted commander Cradock up the wall the Japanese officer was killed. The British casualties were 1 killed and 13 wounded. Commander Cradock mentioned Lieutenant Eric Charrington, of the “Alacrity” as having distinguished himself, and commanded Surgeon Robley Browne of the same ship for his attention to the wounded. On June 22^nd Commander Cradock commanded a column of 760 men of mixed nationalities, which arrived at Tientsin in spite of a vigorous opposition and assisted in the international defence of that place, and in the capture of Pieyang Arsenal. During these Chinese operations the navy landed 167 officers and 2040 men. They suffered 7 officers and 83 men killed, and 13 officers and 256 men wounded. During 1913 this vessel was ordered home to pay off, probably for the last time.

Albacore

The sixth “Albacore” was a 4-gun screw gunboat, launched at Birkenhead in 1883. She was of 560 tons, 770 horsepower, and 11 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 135, 26ft., and 11ft. In 1884 the “Albacore,” commanded by Lieutenant Palmer Smythies, took part in the Egyptian campaign, and assisted in the defence of Suakin against the Mahdists. In 1906 the “Albacore” was sold.

The seventh “Albacore” is a turbine torpedo-boat destroyer, purchased in 1909 from Messrs. Palmer of Jarrow, who had built her on the chance of her being required. She is of 440 tons, 8000 horsepower, and 30 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 221ft, 21ft, and 8ft.

Albatross

Name Origin: Albatross

Albatross

The seventh “Albatross” is a twin-screw torpedo-boat destroyer, launched at Chiswick in 1898. She is of 430 tons, 7500 horsepower, and 32 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 228ft, 21ft, and 9ft.

Albatross

Albemarle

Name Origin: George Monk, Duke of Albemarle, a great warrior at sea and on land, and restorer of the Monarchy after the Common wealth; born 1608, died 1670. His first service was in the expeditions of Cadiz and Rochelle, 1625-1627. After nine year’s service in Holland he took part in the wars against the Scots in 1639. In 1642-1643 he fought against the Irish rebels, and in 1644 was taken prisoner by Fairfax, spending the next two years in the Tower. As Major General he distinguished himself greatly at Dunbar in 1650, and was in consequence sent by Cromwell the following year to complete the subjection of Scotland. In 1653 he was appointed, together with Blake and Deane, to operate at sea against the Dutch, who were twice defeated, though commanded by Tromp. The following year, however, Cromwell sent Monk back to Scotland from where, in 1660, after the Protector’s death, he returned to London with an army, and put himself at the head of the movement in favour of the Restoration. One of Charles II’s first acts was to create Monk Duke of Albemarle, entrusting him with the highest offices. In 1665, during the plagues in London, he acted with much courage and determination as Governor of the City. He once more served at sea in the following year, when he acted as the Duke of York’s second in the battles against the Dutch which culminated in the victory off the North Foreland.

Albert

Name Origin: (Victoria)-Albert, Prince consort, husband of the late Queen Victoria. Born 1819, second son of the Duke Ernest I of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, he was married February 10^th 1840, and died December 14^th 1861.

Alberta

Name Origin: Called after Albert, Prince Consort, husband of the late Queen Victoria. Born August 26^th 1819. Second son of Duke Ernest I. Of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, he married February 10^th 1840, and died December 14^th 1861.

The “Alberta” was a Royal paddle yacht, launched at Pembroke in 1863. She was of 370 tons, 1200 horsepower, and 13 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 160ft, 22ft, and 8ft. In 1912 this Royal yacht was broken up at Portsmouth.

Albion

Name Origin: The ancient name for the British Island. Its Gaelic form is “Alban” or “Albany,” derived from Alp, a high hill. It is also said to be derived from albus, the Latin for “white,” on account of the white chalk cliffs on the Straits of Dover. Albion is still a poetic term for Great Britain.

The sixth “Albion” is a 14-gun twin-screw battleship, built at Blackwall in 1898. She is of 12,950 tons, 13,500 horsepower, and 18 knots speed. Her length, draught, and beam were 390ft, 74ft, and 26ft. An unfortunate accident took place when she was launched on June 21^st. A wave caused by her displacement ran up a side creek, and brought about the collapse of a staging upon which 200 people were standing. Although every available means of rescue were used, 34 persons were drowned, the unhappy victims, with few exceptions, being women and children.

Alcione

Name Origin: Halcyon. In Greek mythology the wife of Ceyz, king of Trochis. He perished by shipwreck, where upon his broken hearted wife flung herself into the sea. The gods, moved to pity by such grief, changed her and her husband into sea birds, which were supposed to build their nest upon the waves about the time of the winter solstice, during which period the sea would remain calm. Hence the term “halcyon days” to designate a time of happiness and tranquillity.

Alder

Name Origin: Eagle

Alert

The seventeenth “Alert” is a 6-gun screw sloop launched at Sheerness in 1894. She is of 960 tons, 1400 horsepower, and 13 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 180ft, 32ft, and 12ft. In December 1902 the “Alert”, commanded by commander John B. Eustace, was one of a combined Anglo-German fleet under Commodore R. A. J. Montgomerie, with his broad pennant in “Charybdis,” which established a blockade of the Venezuelan coast. These retaliatory measures were taken on account of outrages on British ships, for which no satisfaction could be obtained. The boats of the fleet took nine Venezuelan gunboats or small craft; the “alert” seized the “Zumbador” in the gulf of Paria, and two were taken to sea and sunk. President Castro immediately imprisoned all the British and German subjects in Venezuela, but he was forced to release them by the American consul. A British merchantman was seized by the mob at Puerto Cabello, but two ships at once went there, and having released the vessel, bombarded the fort. After eight weeks blockade in which the British and German vessels divided the coast between them, the Venezuelans consented to arrangements, which brought the blockade to a conclusion. A small Italian force also assisted in the blockade. Although at one time dismantled and laid up at Bermuda, she was brought forward for service, and in 1910 and later years the “Alert” under various commanding officers, was employed in the suppression of the gun-running traffic in the Persian Gulf.

Alerta

Name Origin : Alert.

The first Alerta was a torpedo boat launched 1880 - 1882, and discarded around 1910.

Aleut

Name Origin: Aleutian, inhabitant of the Aleutian Islands.

Alexandra

Name Origin: Queen Alexandra, Consort of H.M. the King, born 1844, daughter of the late King Christian IX of Denmark.

Alexandria

Name Origin: The name of the Emperor’s summer residence at Peterhoff, near St. Petersburg.

Alexandru cel bun

Name Origin: Alexander the Good, Prince of Moldavia, reigned from 1401 to 1433

Alexandru Lahovaria

Name Origin: former Minister of foreign affairs. Died in 1897.

Alfhild

Name Origin: In Norse mythology a swan maiden of dazzling beauty, one of the spirits of the mist.

Alger

Name Origin: The town of Algiers, capital of Algeria. It was occupied by the French in 1830.

Algerien

Name Origin: Algerian.

Algerine

Name Origin: A native of Algeria or Algiers.

The fifth “Algerine” was a 3-gun screw gun vessel, built at Belfast in 1880. She was of 774 tons, 750 horsepower, and 10 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 157ft, 29-½ ft, and 11-¾ ft. In 1888 the “Algerine,” commanded by Commander William Forsyth, was one of a squadron of one German and seven English ships under Rear-Admiral the Hon. Edmund Fremantle, with his flag in “Boadicea,” which took part in the blockade of the Zanzibar Littoral. This was undertaken in the interests of the suppression of slavery, and partly in consequence of the revolt of several of the coast towns against German authority. Apart from the capture of slave dhows the incidents of the blockade were of an uninteresting nature. In 1892 the “Algerine” the “Algerine” was sold.

The sixth “Algerine” is a 6-gun twin-screw gunboat, launched at Devonport in 1895. She is of 1050 tons, 1400 horsepower, and 13 knots speed. Her length, beam, and draught were 185ft, 32ft, and 12ft. In 1900 the “Algerine” commanded by commander Robert Johnston Stewart took part in the third China war or boxer riots. On June 17^th the “Algerine” was one of a fleet of 8 ships and several torpedo boats of various nationalities, which took part in the attack on the Taku forts under Captain Dobrolovski in the Russian gunboat “Bobr.” The Chinese having received their ultimatum, opened fire soon after midnight, the ships replying with vigour. Simultaneously a landing party of 35 officers and 869 men, of mixed nationalities, under commander Christopher Cradock of the “Alacrity” attacked from the landward side with great gallantry. The “Algerine” had a steam cutter hulled at the davits, some rigging cut away, and 6 men wounded. At 7.10 a.m. the engagement ceased, Commander Cradock having captured and occupied the forts against heavy odds. The “Algerine” subsequently landed a 4-in gun, which did good work in the operations resulting in the capture of Tientsin and elsewhere.

Almaz

Name Origin: Diamond.

Almirante Brown

Name Origin : William Brown, an Irishman by birth who settled in the Republic, entered the Naval Service, and distinguished himself in the Wars of Independence and with Brazil, as the Admiral in command of the first Argentine fleet.

The first Almirante Brown was a battleship launched 6th October 1880 and stricken 17th November 1932. The next Almirante Brown was a Veinticinco De Mayo class cruiser launched 28th September 1929 and discarded 27th June 1961. This ship was involved in a collision with the Buenos Aries class destroyer Buenos Aries on 3rd October 1941 in which the destroyer was lost. The next Almirante Brown is a Meko 360 H2 Class frigate launched 28th March 1981.

Almirante Cochrane

Name Origin: Admiral Thomas Cochrane, Earl of Dundonald; born 1775, died 1860. After a distinguished career in the British Navy he entered the Chilean service in 1818 and took command of her naval forces, which he at once began to organise in view, of the coming struggle for independence. On January 14^th 1819, he hoisted his flag as Admiral and Commander in chief, onboard the frigate O’Higgins. The following month he appeared with the Chilean fleet of Callao, which he blockaded closely, seizing at the same time, as a base, the island of San Lorenzo. On February 3^rd 1820, he made a brilliant and successful attack on the Spaniards at Valdivia. In the same year he escorted the military expedition sent to liberate Peru. As soon as the army under General San Martin had disembarked, he attacked the Spanish frigate emerald, under the batteries of Callao, on the night of November 5^th 1820, and captured her by boarding with 14 boats under his personal leadership. In January 1823 he left Chile to take service in Brazil. His memory as a great seaman is cherished in Chile to this day.

Almirante Condell

Name Origin: During the war with Peru he commanded the schooner Covadonga, and in her took part in the memorable action off Iquique on May 21^st 1879, distinguishing himself greatly in an unequal contest with the frigate Independencia. In command of the ironclad Huascar, captured in the above named action, he subsequently bombarded the forts of Callao.