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

Name Origin: Havannah, the capital of Cuba and once of the Spanish West Indies.

Name Origin: a.k.a. Abang.  An island in the Dutch East Indies, off the west coast of Borneo.

Name Origin: Hawk

Name Origin: The name of the family from which the Imperial house of Austria is descended.  Werner was the first Count of Hasburg of whom mention is made in 1096, his castle of that name being situated in Switzerland near Schnitzach.  Rudolph, Count of Habsburg, was elected German Emperor in 1273, and acquired the Duchy of Austria in 1282.  His descendants were German emperors from 1493 to 1804, when the “Holy Roman empire” came to an end, the Emperor Francis II renouncing his German title and becoming emperor Francis I of Austria.

Hache

Name Origin: Hatchet.

Name Origin: Hadda Bloedug, “the bloody of purple haired.”  In Norse mythology a goddess of the waves, one of the nine daughters of the sea god Aegir and his wife Ran.

Name Origin: Shark

Hai-Chew

Name Origin: Sea counter.

Hai-Chi

Name Origin: Sea dominion.

Hai-Shen

Name Origin: Sea valuables.

Hai-Yung

Name Origin: Sea capacity.

Haien

Name Origin: Shark.

Name Origin: Falcon.

Name Origin: In Greek mythology the wife of Ceyx, king of Trochis.  He perished by shipwreck, whereupon 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 “haleyon days” to designate a time of happiness and tranquillity.

Name Origin: Aleppo, the capital of Syria.

Hallebarde

Name Origin: Halberd.

Name Origin: Name of a district in the province of Konia.

Name Origin: Appertaining to Hamid.”  Abdul Hamid, the present Sultan, born 1842, succeeded to the throne 1876.

Name Origin: One of the southern maritime counties of England, which includes the Isle of Wight, from which the mainland portion is divided by the Solent and Spithead.  Portsmouth (the principal naval port of England) and Aldershot (the principal military centre) are situated in this county.

The tenth “HANNIBAL” is a 16-gun twin-screw battleship, launched at Pembroke in 1896.  She is of 14,900 tons, 12,000 horse- power, and 17.5 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 390ft., 75ft., and 27ft.   On the night of October 17^th, 1993, the “Hannibal,” while commanded by Captain A.G. Tate, came into collision with her sister ship “Prince George,” commanded by Captain F.L. Campbell.  The channel fleet, at the time under Admiral Lord Charles Beresford with his flag in “Majestic,” was off Cape Finisterre doing tatics without lights.  The actual hole made in the “Prince George” by the “Hannibal’s” ram was 24ft. 8 in. in height and about 6 ½ ft. wide.  The injury was so effectually repaired on the spot that the Admiral was able to take her to Ferrol for more durable repairs, whence she returned to England under her own steam. 

Name Origin : Henry, first Viscount Hardinge; born 1785, died 1856.  He served throughout the Peninsular War, was Secretary of State for War in 1828, and became governor General of India in 1844.  During the first Sikh War, though Governor General, he acted as Second in command to Lord Gough.  Returning to England in 1848, he succeeded the Duke of Wellington in 1852 as Commander in Chief of the British Army, which office he resigned just before his death.  He was raised to the Peerage 1846.

Name Origin: Harpy.  In Greek mythology the Harpies are goddesses of the storm; sometimes represented as beautiful women, at others as disgusting monsters, half women, half bird.  When Phineus, son of King Agenor, blinded his own sons, the Harpies were sent by the gods to devour and soil all his food in punishment.

Harpon

Name Origin: Harpoon.

The fifth “HARPY” was a 2-gun paddle steamer, launched at Blackwall in 1845.  She was of 500 tons, 520 horse- power, and carried a crew of 40 men.  Her length, beam, and draught were 141ft., 23ft., and 13 half ft.  In April 1845 the “Harpy,” commanded by Lieutenant Edward Beauchamp, took part in minor way in the operations in South America, including the bombardment of forts in the Parana River.   In 1855 the “Harpy” proceeded to the Baltic to take part in the war with Russia.  In September the “Harpy” was in the sea of Azof, and acting as one of a small squadron under Captain Robert Hall in “Miranda,” destroyed stores and buildings, and captured sixty-two pieces of artillery in the towns of Taman and Fangoria.  In 1892 the “Harpy” was sold to the war office for £450 for use as a target at Milford Haven in connection with experiments with the pneumatic gun.  The wreck was sold in 1909 for £20.The sixth “HARPY” was built as Mortar Vessel “No.24” at Rotherhithe and launched in 1856.  She was of 169 tons, and her length, beam, and draught were 75ft., 24ft., and 10ft.   The Admiralty lent her to the Steam Navigation Company in 1857, and in 1861 to the Custom House authorities who gave her the name of “Harpy.”  She was used as a custom House Watch vessel off the Tower of London until 1871 when she was returned to the Admiralty who broke her up at Chatham in 1872. The seventh “HARPY” is a turbine torpedo-boat destroyer, launched at Cowes in 1910.  She is of 935 tons, 12,500 horse- power, and 27 knots.  Her length, beam, and draught are 265ft., 28ft., and 9ft.   In 1914 the “Harpy,” commanded by Commander G.C. Dickens, was engaged in the Mediterranen, in various operations against the Germans and Austrians.

The seventh “HARRIER” was a wood built schooner yatch, specially purchased for £2874 in 1881 for the suppression of the East African slave traffic.  She had been built at Cowes in 1872.  She became of 190 tons after fitting out, and her length and beam were 92ft. and 19ft.  In 1888, after some service on the Australian station, the “Harrier” was sold at Sydney to the London Missionary Society for £1200.  The eighth “HARRIER” is a 2-gun twin-screw gunboat, launched at Devonport in 1894.  She is of 1070 tons, 3500 horse- power, and 19 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught are 250ft., 30ft., and 9ft. This vessel became a sea-going tender to the Portsmouth Navigation School.

The eighth “HART” was an 80-ton cutter yacht, launched at Woolwich in 1822.  Her length, beam, and draught were 53ft., 18ft., and 8ft.   She was employed as yacht to the Navy Board, but on the abolition of that office she became the yacht to the Admiral at Sheerness in 1833.  In 1870 she became a harbour service vessel at Sheerness, being renamed “Sheerness Yard Craft No 1.”  In November 1870 she was renamed “Drake,” and in 1875 she was broken up at Chatham.The ninth “HART” was a 4-gun twin-screw gunboat, launched at Glasgow in 1868.  She was of 584 tons, 608 horse-power, and 10 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 155ft., 25ft., and 9ft.  In 1873 the “Hart” commanded by Commander Thomas H. Royse, was engaged in the blockade of the Spanish Mediterranean littoral, assisted in the operations against the Spanish Intransigents, and prevented the insurgent ships from bombarding various coastal towns.  In September 1874 the “Hart,” commanded by Commander T.H. Royse, in company with the “Charybdis,” took part in an expedition to the Indian River, in the Maylay Pininsula, and composed some differences between the rulers of Johore and Pahang.  In November 1874, the “Hart,” in company with the “Charybdis,” took part in an expedition to the Lukit River to intervene in serious disputes which had arisen between the ruler of Sungei Ujong and one of his feudatories.  It was decided to support the ruler, and a small Naval Brigade of 73 officers and men were landed with troops on November 26^th.  After some short fighting the Maylay feudatory deserted Campayang, and escaped into the bush.  One sailor was mortally wounded, and 50 of the enemy coolies were killed.  Search parties were sent out in various directions, but they failed to catch Bandar, who did not surrender for some weeks later. During these operations the “Hart” proceeded to Langkat, to warn the Selangor authorities against affording assistance to the insurgents.The tenth “HART” was a twin-screw torpedo-boat destroyer, launched at Govan in 1895.  She was of 295 tons, 4000 horse-power, and 27 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 185ft., 19ft., and 7ft. In 1900 the “Hart,” commanded by Lieutenant J.G Armstrong, played a minor part in the third China War or Boxer Riots. In 1913 the “Hart” was placed on the sale list at Hong-Kong and was sold in pieces. 

Harukaze

Harusame

Hashidate

Hashitaka

Hato

Hatsuharu

Hatsu-Shino

Hatsu-Yuki

Havhesten

Name Origin: Sea Horse.

Havornen

Name Origin: The white tailed sea eagle.

The eighteenth “HAWKE” was a screw yacht, purchased for special service with the Admiral commanding the Coast Guard and Reserves.  She was built at Leith in 1884 as the “Lady Aline,” and was of 520 tons, 400 horse-power, and 12 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 167ft., 24ft., and 9ft.  In April 1906 the “Hawk” was sold.The nineteenth “HAWK” was a 12-gun twin-screw cruiser, floated out at Chatham in 1891.  She was of 7350 tons, 12,000 horse-power, and 20 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 360ft., 60ft., and 24ft.  In 1897 and 1898 the “Hawke,” commanded by Captain Sir Richard Poore, Bart., was engaged in the operations which led to the pacification of Crete and the appointment of Prince George of Greece as high Commissioner under the suzerainty of the Sultan of Turkey.  On one occasion the “Hawke” embarked a Greek military force in Platania Bay and took it back to its own country.  On September 20^th, 1911, the “Hawke,” while commanded by Commander W.F. Blunt, collided in the Solent with the White Star Liner “Olynpic.”  The trial-which pronounced the “Hawke” to be free from blame-aroused much general interest owing to the theory advanced that the large amount of water displaced by the “Olympic” led to a suction action which had drawn the “Hawke” out of her course.  Appeal after appeal followed the decision of the first court to try the case.  In the collision the “Hawke” lost her arm, and an ordinary straight bow was built to replace it.  In 1914 the “Hawke,” commanded by Captain Hugh P.E.T. Williams, was engaged in various operations in the North Sea, in connection with the war with Germany.  On October 15^th the “Hawke,” was successfully torpedoed by a German submarine.  The “ Theseus,” which was in company, was unsuccessfully attacked at the same time.  The “Hawke” sank in a few minutes, and unfortunately Captain Williams, 26 officers and 500 men were lost with the ship.  Four officers and about 60 men were saved.  The twentieth “HAWK” was a small dhow hired in 1903, and armed with one 3-pounder gun.  Her length, beam, and draught were 50ft., 14ft., and 2ft., and it was said of her that she could sail anywhere where the sand was wet. With 2 British petty officers and a crew of 14 Somalis, she was very active in the prevention of gun-running on the Somaliland coast.

Name Origin: Commemorates the capture of the Dutch ship Havik (Hawk) in 1796, of which Havock is a corruption.  She was added to the Royal Navy.

Hayabusa

Hayakaze

The thirteenth “HAZARD” is a 2-gun twin-screw gunboat, launched Pembroke in 1894.  She is of 1070 tons, 3500 horse-power, and 19 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught are 250ft., 30ft., and 9ft.  In 1897 and 1898 the “Hazard,” commanded by Lieutenant Price Vaughan Lewes, was engaged in the pacification of Crete.  It had been decided by a council of Naval officers to collect a certain proportion of export duties and to expand the proceeds for the general benefit of the island .  Orders were given therefore that the Custom House at Candia should be turned over to the British authorities.  A desperate attack on a small force of sailors and soldiers by a fanatical, well-armed mob, occurred on September 6^th, 1898.  At the same time the British hospital and camp at the other end of the town were attacked.  There were only 130 British troops in the town, and the Turkish troops did not assist as they should have done.  The “Hazard” opened fire on the town with 4.7’s.  In each case the defence was heroically maintained, and then the infuriated mob turned upon the native Christians, of whom it is believed nearly a thousand were massacred.  The “Hazard” lost four seamen killed and several wounded; but the Queen marked her  pleasure at the behaviour of the “Hazard” by promoting Lieutenant Lewes to Commander, and awarding the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Service Order to Surgeon W.J. Maillard and Lieutenant E.H. Nicholson respectively.  A monument to the killed seaman has been placed in the Upper Barracca at Malta.  The “Hazard” eventually became a sea-going depot ship for submarine boats. On February 2^nd, 1912 the “Hazard,” while commanded by Lieutenant Charles J.C. Little, collided with the submerged submarine A3, which unfortunately sank with a loss of 14 lives.

Name Origin: In Greek mythology the goddess of youth, daughter of Zeus (Jupiter) and Hera (Juno).  She was the handmaid, and cupbearer of the gods.  The ship name commemorates the capture of the French Hebe, 40, by the Rainbow, 44, Captain Henry Trollope, off Isle de Bas, on September 4^th 1782.  She was added to the Royal Navy under her own name.

The fourth “HELCA” is a screw 5-gun torpedo-depot ship, launched at Belfast on March 7^th, 1878.  Originally known as “British Crown,” she was purchased into the Navy from the British Shipowners Company Limited.  She is of 6400 tons, 1760 horse-power, and 12 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 392ft., 39ft., and 24ft.    The launching of this vessel is of especial interest to the author, as his mother performed the ceremony.    In 1882 the “Helca,” commanded by Captain Arthur K. Wilson, took part in the Egyptian War.  On July 11^th the “Helca” was present at the bombardment of Alexandria, and generally assisted by supplying ammunition to the firing ships.  At 7a.m. the “Alexandria” fired the first shot of the bombardment.  Owing to the flagship’s draught of water Admiral Sir Beauchamp  Seymour temporarily hoisted his flag in “Invincible.”  All ships were cleared for action with topgallant masts struck and bowsprits rigged in.  By 7.10a.m. all ships were engaged, and such forts as could bring their guns to bear replied with vigour .  By 5p.m. all guns ashore ceased firing and the fleet stopped bombarding at 5.30p.m.  The British casualties were 5 killed and 28 wounded.  The Egyptian loss has never been properly ascertained, but it is believed to have been about 150 killed and 400 wounded out of the 2000 men engaged in the forts.  The small gunboats attacked Fort Marabout, anchoring so close in that the enemy’s guns could not be sufficiently depressed to reach them.  Although the Governor refused to surrender, the town was found to be abandoned on the following day, and it was at once occupied by the crews of the 14 ships which had taken part in the bombardment.  The “Helca” then proceeded along the coast, starting from Mex, where Captain Wilson landed and destroyed about 100 guns in the seaward defences.   On August 4^th Captain Wilson boarded the armoured train which was commanded by Captain John Fisher of the “Inflexible,” and with one of his Armstrong 40-pound breechloaders dteamed into Mex lines.  There the gun was employed with extraordinary success against the Mariout earthworks distant about 6000 yards.  On August 5^th the “Helca” contributed to a Naval Brigade which left Alexandria in the armoured train commanded by Captain John Fisher.  The marines were detrained about 800 yards from Mehallet Junction and, assisted by the “Helca’s” 40-pounder gun, quickly dislodged the enemy.  During the evening the brigade was exposed to a galling fire, but the marines behaved with great gallantry and bore the brunt of the attack.  The casualties in this affair were 1 marine killed and 12 wounded, 1 seaman killed and 4 wounded.     The brigade were then recalled to their ships.   On August 12^th a party from the “Halca” distinguished itself by destroying a quantity of gun cotton whil exposed, during some minutes, to a smart fire from the enemy.  In February 1884 the “Helca” contributed to a Naval Brigade which accompanied the army, under General Sir Gerald Graham, from Trinikat in its march inland.  Rear-Admiral Sir William Hewett, who flew his flag in “Euryalus,” accompanied General Graham.  The brigade took part in the battle of El Teb, distinguishing itself greatly.  The village of El Teb was captured, and the Arabs fled, after suffered a loss of 1500 killed.  At one time the Arabs made a dash upon a corner of the square.  Captain Wilson of the “Helca” rushed to the front, endeavouring specially to protect a marine who was hard pressed, and was at once surrounded by five or six Arabs, who engaged him in personal combat.  Captain Wilson’s  sword broke off short, but he continued to fight with his fists and sword hilt until some men of the York and Lancaster regiment intervened with their bayonets.  Captain Wilson received a scalp wound, but was able to remain with the advance, and received the Victoria Cross for his gallantryin preventing the square from being broken.  After the battle of El Teb, Sir Gerald Graham issued a general order, in which he especially thanked the Naval Brigade for their cheerful endurance during the severe work of dragging the guns over difficult country, and for their ready gallantry and steadiness under fire.  On March 11^th the Naval Brigade advanced from Suakin with the troops for the dispersal of the Arabs, who were beleaguering Sinkat.  On March 12^th the troops took part in the battle of Tamai.  The Naval Brigade charged the Arabs, were cut off and surrounded, suffered many casualties, and lost their guns.  Order was a length restored, and advancing again, the Naval Brigade had the satisfaction of regaining all their guns.  By this time the Arabs had had enough of fighting, and retired after suffering a loss of 2000 killed.  The total British loss was 109 killed and 104 wounded, to which the Naval Brigade contributed 3 officers and 7 men killed, and 1 officer and 1 seaman wounded.  Among the wounded was Lieutenant Crawford Conybeare, of the “Helca.”  On the 28^th the forces re-entered Suakin.

Name Origin: The heaving or swelling.  In Norse mythology a goddess of the waves, one of the nine daughters of the sea god Aegir and his wife Ran.

Name Origin: Formidable (Arabic-Persian).

Name Origin: A places in Friesland where, on May 23^rd 1568, the first battle was fought between the revolted Dutch Protestant party and the Spanish troops.  The Patriots were victorious.

Heimdal

Name Origin: In Norse mythology a god of light and guardian of the bridge to heaven.  He saw by night as well as day, needed less sleep than the birds, and could hear the grass grow.  He once wandered on earth, and their begat three sons, from whom the three classes of mankind princes, freeman, and slaves –are descended.

Name Origin: In Norse mythology a god of light, and guardian of the bridge to heaven.  He saw by night as well as day, needed less sleep than the birds, and could hear the grass grow.  He once wandered on earth, and their begat three sons, from whom the three classes of mankind- princess, freemen, and slaves are descended.

Hekla

Name Origin: A large active volcano in the southwest of Iceland.

Name Origin: An active volcano in Iceland.

Helgoland

Name Origin: Heligoland, a small island in the North Sea to the northwest of the mouths of the Weser and Elbe.  It was Christianise in the eighth century, when it received the name of Heleg or Helgo Land, that is, the land of the Holy or Saints.  It was the hands of the Danes during the latter half of the fourteenth century, and from 1664 to 4689.  From 1714 to 1807 it was again a Danish possession, was ceded to England in the latter year, and since 1890 belongs to the German Empire. The ship name commemorates the naval action that took place off the island between the Danes and the allied Austrians and Prussians on May 9^th 1864.

Hellas

Henri IV

Name Origin: Henry IV, King of France and Navarre, born 1553, died 1610, the son of Antoine de Bourbon and Jeanne d’Albret, Queen of Navarre.  He became the leader of the Protestant party in France.  In 1572, six days after his marriage with Margaret of Valois, the sister of Charles IX, the massacre of St. Bartholomew took place.  Henry was fighting at the head of the “Huguenot” (Protestant) party, when by the death of Henry III in 1589, he became King of France.  He was, however, not recognised by the “Ligue” (strict Catholic party) as such, and civil war continued until 1593, when Henry became a Roman Catholic.  In 1598, peace being definitely established, and Henry secure on his throne, he issued the Edict of Nantes, which gave the Protestants liberty of conscience.  He was a most able ruler, and did much to raise the prosperity of France.  He founded the colony of Quebec in 1608.  In 1610 the fanatic Ravaillac murdered him.  His daughter, Henrietta Maria, became the wife of Charles I of England.

Henri Riviere

Name Origin: Poet and naval officer, born 1827, died 1883.  He crushed a revolt of the natives of New Caledonia in 1878, captured Hanoi in Tong King in 1882, and fell during a sortie against the Annamities in May 1883. He wrote several novels and tales, an account of theFrench Navy under Louis XIV, and one of the expeditions to Mexico.

The eleventh “HERCULES” was a 14-gun screw broadside ironclad, launched at Chatham in 1868.  She was of 9300 tons, 8530 horse-power, and 14 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 305ft., 59ft., and 25ft.    This vessel became a floating barrack for dockyard workmen at Gibralter, and her name was subsequently changed to “Calcutta.”The twelfth “HERCULES” is a 26-gun turbine battleship launched at Messrs.  Palmer’s Yard, Jarrow, in 1910.  She is of 20,000 tons, 25,000 horse-power, and 21 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught are 510ft., 85ft., and 27ft. She enjoys the distinction of being the first British warship to be launched during the reign of His Majesty King George the fifth.

Herluf Trolle

Name Origin: Born 1515, died 1565.  One of the leading nobles of Denmark and possessing great estates, he devoted himself to the naval profession.  As Admiral he commanded the Danish fleet in the two battles, which took place in 1564 near Oeland on May 30^th and 31^st, and again on August 14^th, gaining complete victories over the Swedes on both occasions.  The following year, on June 4^th, he again fought the Swedish fleet near the shores of Pomerania; but the battle was indecisive, whilst Trolle was seriously wounded.  He displayed great gallantry and heroism, declining medical aid until his men had been attended to.  He died of his wounds, just three weeks later, ay Copenhagen.

Name Origin: In Greek mythology the god of eloquence and prudence, the protector of commerce, and guardian of roads and highways, the patron of travellers, shepherds and thieves.  A son of Zeus (Jupiter) and Maia, he was his father’s messenger, and equipped for his office with a winged cap and winged sandals, bearing as special attribute the cadueceus, a rod entwined by two serpents possessing magic powers.  He conducted the souls of the dead on their way to the nether regions.

The sixth “HERMIONE” is a 10-gun twin-screw cruiser, launched at Devonport in 1893.  She is of 4360 tons, 9000 horse-power, and 19 knots speed.  Her length, beam, and draught were 320ft., 49ft., and 19ft.  In 1896 the “Hermione,” commanded by Captain Charles R. Arbuthnot, was one of a squadron of six ships which was specially commissioned in reply to a congratulatory telegram from the German Emperor to President Paul Kruger on the repulse of Dr. Jameson’s raid.  The squadron, known as the Particular Service Squadron, was commanded by Rear-Admiral Alfred Taylor Dale with his flag in “Revenge.”    In 1900 the “Herione,” commanded by Captain R.S.D. Cumming, played a minor part in the third China War or Boxer Riots.  Subsequently she became the seagoing depot ship for the first Naval airship of the lighter-than-air type, but when the building of this raft was abandoned, the “Hermione” reverted to ordinary fleet duties.

Name Origin: Ferdinand Cortes the conqueror of Mexico; born 1485, died 1547.  Of an impoverished noble family, he sought his fortune in the New world, and became the private secretary of Velasquez, the first Governor of Cuba.  In 1519 he equipped a small expedition of 11 ships and about 650 men, determined to seek adventures and renown on the mainland.  After touching at several points, he landed near St. Juan de Ulloa, on the coast of Mexico, then a populous, rich and civilised Indian state.  Having been graciously received by the Emperor Montezuma, and finding the land full of riches, Cortez determined upon its conquest.  He destroyed his ships to cut off all hopes of return from his followers, picked a quarrel with the natives, and after severe fighting and hairbreadth escaped from utter destruction, within the space of two years, with his handful of troops, destroyed the empire of the Indians and made himself master of all Mexico in the name of Spain.  There upon he was appointed Governor of New Spain, as his conquests was called, and held this post until 1530, when he was superseded by a voceroy.  In 1536 he discovered and attempted to conquer California, but lost his whole private fortune in the adventure, and returned to Spain in 1540 a ruined man who had fallen out of favour at Court.  He died at Seville when on the point of once more going to America.

Name Origin: Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, born 1876, son of the Grand Duke Frederick Francis, since 1901 consort of the Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands.

Hibari