HMS Warspite

Seven ships of the Royal Navy have been named Warspite. The origins of the name are unclear, although it is probably a pun on the word 'spite', in part embodying contempt for the Navy's enemies, but also the common name for the green woodpecker, suggesting the 'Warspite' would poke holes in enemy ships' (wooden) hulls.[1] Until 1919 a woodpecker was used as the ships' crest; the official badge was a cannon, although the woodpecker continued to be used on the ships' tompions or gun muzzle plugs.

Battle honours

Warspite carries the most battle honours of any ship in the Royal Navy, and the seventh ship carries the most for any individual ship.[2]

See also

References

  1. Ballantyne, Iain (2013). Warspite, From Jutland Hero to Cold War Warrior. Barnsley, UK: pen & Sword Maritime. ISBN 978-1-84884-350-9.Page 10
  2. Ballantyne, Iain (2013). Warspite, From Jutland Hero to Cold War Warrior. Barnsley, UK: pen & Sword Maritime. ISBN 978-1-84884-350-9.Page 6
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