HMS Cockatrice

Eight ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Cockatrice after the legendary creature:

• HMS Cockatrice, launched in 1781, was a 14-gun cutter, sold in 1802.
• Cockatrice was to have been the name for HMS Brev Drageren in 1812, but was never used.
• HMS Cockatrice, launched in 1832, was a 6-gun schooner, sold in 1858.
• HMS Cockatrice, launched in 1860, was a Britomart-class wooden screw gunboat, renamed YC 10 in 1882 and finally sold in 1885.
• HMS Cockatrice was originally a composite paddle vessel called HMS Niger, launched in 1880, renamed Cockatrice in 1881 and renamed again to HMS Moorhen in 1896. She was sold in 1899.
• HMS Cockatrice was originally a first class gunboat called HMS Bramble, launched in 1886, renamed Cockatrice in 1896 and sold in 1906.
• HMS Cockatrice was an ex-War Department vessel called Sir W. Harness, transferred and renamed Cockatrice in 1906, sold in 1910.
• HMS Cockatrice, launched in 1912, was an Acasta-class destroyer, sold in 1921.
• HMS Cockatrice, launched in 1942, was an Algerine-class minesweeper, sold in 1963 for breaking.

References

• Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8. OCLC 67375475.