HMS Cockatrice

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

* The first "Cockatrice", launched in 1781, was a 14-gun cutter, sold in 1802.
* "Cockatrice" was to have been the name for HMS Brevdrageren in 1812, but was never used.
* The second "Cockatrice", launched in 1832, was a 6-gun schooner, sold in 1858.
* The third "Cockatrice", launched in 1860, was a Britomart class wood screw gunboat, renamed to YC.10 in 1882 and finally sold in 1885.
* The fourth "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.
* The fifth "Cockatrice" was originally a first class gunboat called HMS Bramble, launched in 1886, renamed "Cockatrice" in 1896 and sold in 1906.
* The sixth "Cockatrice" was an ex War Department vessel called "Sir W. Harness", transferred and renamed "Cockatrice" in 1906, sold in 1910.
* The seventh "Cockatrice", launched in 1912, was a destroyer, sold in 1921.
* The eighth "Cockatrice", launched in 1942, was a Algerine class minesweeper, sold in 1963 for break up.

References

*Colledge