Fleet Archive

Fleet

Explore historic Royal Navy ships, from ships of the line and frigates to cruisers, destroyers, submarines, aircraft carriers, and modern naval vessels.

'St Albans' Floated out at Deptford, 1747 by John Cleveley the Elder

'St Albans' Floated out at Deptford, 1747 by John Cleveley the Elder

The history of Royal Navy ships reflects the evolution of naval warfare itself. In the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Britain relied heavily on ships of the line, powerful wooden sailing warships armed with rows of cannon. These vessels formed the backbone of the battle fleet during conflicts such as the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary Wars, and the Napoleonic Wars.

Frigates also played a vital role in the Royal Navy. Faster and more flexible than ships of the line, they were used for scouting, convoy escort, commerce protection, and independent cruising. Many frigate captains became famous for daring actions far from home waters.

During the nineteenth century, steam power, iron armour, and explosive shells transformed naval design. Wooden sailing ships gradually gave way to ironclads and later steel warships. By the early twentieth century, the launch of HMS Dreadnought changed naval history, setting a new standard for battleships around the world.

In the modern era, the Royal Navy fleet has included aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, submarines, mine countermeasure vessels, patrol ships, and support ships. These vessels continue the long tradition of protecting sea lanes, supporting allies, responding to crises, and defending Britain’s interests at sea.

From HMS Victory to HMS Dreadnought, from wartime destroyers to today’s aircraft carriers, Royal Navy ships remain powerful symbols of Britain’s naval heritage. Each vessel represents not only technology and firepower, but also the courage, discipline, and skill of the men and women who served aboard them.

Ship Types

Explore broad vessel categories such as frigates, destroyers, cruisers, submarines, and support ships.

View all ship types

Amphibious

Explore amphibious ships in Royal Navy service.

Ship Classes

Browse selected Royal Navy ship classes and grouped vessel designs.

View all ship classes

Search Ships

Clear filters

Ships

Showing 1–24 of 1147 ship records.

Ship Record

Types of Royal Navy Ships

Explore the main types of Royal Navy ships, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, submarines, and support vessels. A guide to naval ship categories and roles.

View record
Warship

Achates (1560)

Achates (1560) Tudor warship

Class: Galleon
Launch year: 1560
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Achille (1803)

Learn about Achille (1803), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 74-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1803
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Warship

Aid (1562)

Aid (1562) Tudor warship

Class: Galleon
Launch year: 1562
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Aigle (1800)

Learn about Aigle (1800), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 74-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1800
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Algésiras (1804)

Learn about Algésiras (1804), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 74-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1804
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Warship

Antelope (1546)

Antelope (1546) Tudor warship

Class: Galleon
Launch year: 1546
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Argonauta (1798)

Learn about Argonauta (1798), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 80-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1798
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Argonaute (1803)

Learn about Argonaute (1803), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 74-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1803
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Brig

Argus (1804)

Learn about Argus (1804), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 16-gun brig
Launch year: 1804
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Warship

Ark Royal (1587)

Ark Royal (1587) Tudor warship

Class: Galleon
Launch year: 1587
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Bahama (1786)

Learn about Bahama (1786), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 74-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1786
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Berwick (1805)

Learn about Berwick (1805), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 74-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1805
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Warship

Bonaventure (1567)

Bonaventure (1567) Tudor warship

Class: Galleon
Launch year: 1567
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Bucentaure (1803)

Learn about Bucentaure (1803), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 80-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1803
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Warship

Bull (1546)

Bull (1546) Tudor warship

Class: Galleon
Launch year: 1546
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Frigate

Cornélie (1794)

Learn about Cornélie (1794), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 40-gun frigate
Launch year: 1794
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Warship

Dragon (1545)

Dragon (1545) Tudor warship

Class: Galleon
Launch year: 1545
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Warship

Dreadnought (1573)

Dreadnought (1573) Tudor warship

Class: Galleon
Launch year: 1573
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Duguay-Trouin (1800)

Learn about Duguay-Trouin (1800), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 74-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1800
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Warship

Falcon (1546)

Falcon (1546) Tudor warship

Class: Galleon
Launch year: 1546
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Warship

Foresight (1570)

Foresight (1570) Tudor warship

Class: Galleon
Launch year: 1570
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Formidable (1795)

Learn about Formidable (1795), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 80-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1795
Status: Decommissioned
View record
Ship of the Line

Fougueux (1785)

Learn about Fougueux (1785), a Trafalgar participant.

Class: 74-gun ship of the line
Launch year: 1785
Status: Decommissioned
View record