Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 40:18-41:23

The Royal Navy's reserve of capital-ship names

A hypothetical new battleship class shows how the Royal Navy reuses durable name families when famous individual names are already assigned.

BattleshipsNaval TraditionsRoyal NavyShip Names
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Question

What might the Royal Navy call four battleships launched today?

Short answer

Likely a revived R-name group such as Royal Sovereign, Renown, Repulse, and Resolution or Revenge.

Notes

With names such as Queen Elizabeth and Dreadnought already attached to carriers or submarines, Royal Sovereign, Renown, Repulse, Resolution, and Revenge form a plausible group. The R-name family is a dependable reserve for capital ships, much as River and Flower names repeatedly serve smaller warship classes.