HMS Orpheus

Seven ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS "Orpheus". "Orpheus" was the magical father of songs in Greek mythology.

* HMS "Orpheus" was a modified "Lowestoffe" class frigate launched in 1773. She was burnt in 1778 to avoid capture by the French at Rhode Island.
* HMS "Orpheus" was a 32-gun fifth-rate launched in 1780. In 1807 she was wrecked in the West Indies.
* HMS "Orpheus" was a 36-gun fifth-rate launched in 1809. She was broken up in 1819.
* HMS "Orpheus" was a 22-gun "Jason" class wood screw corvette launched in 1861. She was wrecked on the Manukau sandbars in New Zealand in 1863.
* HMS "Orpheus" was an M class destroyer launched in 1916. She was sold for scrap in 1921.
* HMS "Orpheus" was an "Odin" class submarine launched in 1929. She was sunk off Tobruk in 1940.
* HMS "Orpheus" was an "Oberon" class submarine, launched in 1959. She was paid off in 1987 and became a harbour training ship. She was sold for scrap in 1994.

References

*Colledge