HMS HERCULES
Name Meaning : Mythic demigod: Roman equivalent of the Greek divine hero Heracles, son of Jupiter and the mortal Alcmena. In classical mythology, Hercules is famous for his strength
Five Royal Navy ships have carried the name HMS Hercules, with only four actually serving in the British navy.
Hercule is the French name for Hercules
HMS Hercules 1759 - 1784
Built at Depford Dockyard and launched in March 1759. The 74 - gun third rate played a role in Admiral Rodney’s fleet in the Battle of Saintes in 1782. Sold out of service in 1784 for £1300.
HMS Hercule 1798 - 1810
Originally a French ship, this 74 gun third rate “Temeraire class” was captured on her maiden vogue by HMS Mars on 21st April 1798.
During the battle the captain of HMS,Mars, Alexander Hood was killed along with 31 of his crew. Hercule was broken up in 1810.
HMS Hercules 1815- 1865
A 74 gun third rate built at Chatham, she was launched in 1815, commissioned in 1836. A variety of roles including harbour service ,experimental research and as a hospital ship, was sold out of service in 1865.
HMS Hercules 1868 - 1932
The 1st battleship to mount a main armament of 10 inch calibre guns. Completed at Chatham in 1868, this ironclad battleship served as the flagship, of the mediterranean fleet from 1875- 1877.
Renamed HMS Calcutta in 1909 and HMS Fisgard II in 1915, sold and broken up in 1932.
HMS Hercules 1910 - 1921
Built in Jarrow, this Colossus class Dreadnought battleship served most of her career in the home fleet after her launch in 1910.
During WW1 served in the Grand Fleet, participating in the Battle Of Jutland. After the war she was seen as being outdated and sent for scrap in 1921.
HMS Hercules 1945- 2014
Pennant Number : R49
The 5th out of 6 Majestic class light aircraft carriers ordered in 1942, laid down in 1943. With the end of World War II her construction was halted after her launch on Tyneside in 1946.
Sold to the Indian Navy in 1957, becoming their 1st aircraft carrier upon her commissioning and renaming as INS Vikrant in 1961.
Decommissioned in 1997 to become a museum ship until 2012 and finally scrapped in 2014.
Photo credit for badge : C50A
