HMS Cornwall facts for kids
Seven ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Cornwall after the Duchy of Cornwall. The name "HMS" stands for "His Majesty's Ship" or "Her Majesty's Ship," showing they belong to the British monarch. These ships were named after the Duchy of Cornwall, a special area in England. Each HMS Cornwall had a motto, which is a special saying: "onen hag oll" in Cornish, "unus et omnes" in Latin, and "one and all" in English. This motto shows a spirit of unity and teamwork.
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The Ships Named HMS Cornwall
Over the centuries, many different types of warships have carried the name HMS Cornwall. Each one played a part in the Royal Navy's history.
HMS Cornwall (1692)
The very first ship named HMS Cornwall was a large warship launched in 1692. It was an 80-gun ship, meaning it had 80 cannons. This type of ship was called a "third-rate ship of the line." These were powerful ships designed to fight in a line formation during battles. This HMS Cornwall served for many years before it was taken apart in 1761.
HMS Cornwall (1761)
Another HMS Cornwall was launched in 1761. This ship had 74 guns and was also a "third-rate" warship. It saw action in battles and was damaged in 1780. Because it was too badly damaged to be repaired, it was later burned.
HMS Cornwall (1807 - Unused Name)
In 1807, the Royal Navy captured a 74-gun ship from the Danes. This ship was almost named HMS Cornwall. However, the name was not used for this particular vessel.
HMS Cornwall (1812)
A third HMS Cornwall was launched in 1812. This ship also had 74 guns. In 1831, its number of guns was reduced to 50. Later, in 1869, it was renamed HMS Wellesley. It then served a different purpose: it became a school ship. A school ship is used to train young sailors. This ship was eventually taken apart in 1874.
HMS Cornwall (1868 - Renamed)
Originally, a ship launched in 1815 was named HMS Wellesley. In 1868, this ship was renamed HMS Cornwall. Like the previous ship, it also became a school ship, helping to educate future sailors. This HMS Cornwall had a very long life, finally being sunk in 1940 during World War II.
HMS Cornwall (1902)
The HMS Cornwall launched in 1902 was a different kind of warship. It was an armoured cruiser from the Monmouth class. Armoured cruisers were faster and had more protection than older ships. This ship was used by the Royal Navy until it was sold in 1920.
HMS Cornwall (1926)
Another important HMS Cornwall was a heavy cruiser launched in 1926. It belonged to the County class of cruisers. Heavy cruisers were large, powerful warships designed for long voyages and strong combat. Sadly, this HMS Cornwall was sunk in 1942 during World War II. It was attacked by Japanese aircraft during the Indian Ocean raid.
HMS Cornwall (1985)
The most recent ship to be named HMS Cornwall was a modern frigate. It was a "Type 22 Batch 3" frigate, launched in 1985. Frigates are smaller warships used for various tasks, including protecting other ships and patrolling. This HMS Cornwall served the Royal Navy until it was taken out of service, or "decommissioned," in June 2011.
Battle Honours
"Battle honours" are special awards given to naval ships for their bravery and success in important battles. When a ship earns a battle honour, it means that a ship with that name fought with distinction in that specific event. The name HMS Cornwall has earned several battle honours throughout history:
- Barfleur 1692: This honour was for the Battles of Barfleur and La Hougue, a major naval battle fought in 1692.
- Falkland Islands 1914: This honour was for the Battle of the Falkland Islands during World War I, where British ships defeated a German squadron.
- Dardanelles 1915: This honour was for the Naval operations in the Dardanelles Campaign during World War I, an important campaign in Turkey.
See also
- HMJS Cornwall - This link shows ships named Cornwall that belong to the Jamaica Defence Force, which is Jamaica's military.
