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HMS President facts for kids

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Five ships and one special land base of the Royal Navy have been named HMS President. This name comes from the word "president," which means someone who is in charge of a group or meeting. For the first two British ships, the name might have referred to the Lord President of the Privy Council, a very important government official.

This ship name wasn't used for a long time, from 1660 to 1806. Then, it was brought back when the British captured a French ship called French frigate Président. Later, in 1815, they captured a large American ship called USS President. To remember these captures, a new ship, *HMS President, was launched in 1829. This ship lasted until 1903 and passed its name to other "President" bases, three of which are still around today!

What's in a Name?

The name "President" is quite old. It means someone who leads or is in charge. In the past, this could refer to a leader of a council or a group of important people. When the Royal Navy named ships "President," it was a way to honor this idea of leadership.

Ships Named President

Over the centuries, several ships have proudly carried the name President. Each one has its own unique story.

Early Ships

  • HMS President (1646) was a ship with 26 guns. It was bought in 1646. After 1650, people started calling it Old President. It was sold in 1656.
  • HMS President (1650) was a larger ship with 42 guns, launched in 1650. It was later renamed Bonaventure in 1660. It was rebuilt in 1666 and taken apart in 1711.

Captured Ships

Sometimes, a country would capture an enemy ship and add it to their own navy. This happened with two ships named President:

  • HMS President (1806) was a 38-gun ship. It was originally the French ship Président. The British captured it in 1806. It was renamed Piedmontaise in 1815 and taken apart that same year.
  • HMS President (1815) was a 44-gun ship. It was originally the American ship USS President. The British captured it in 1815. It was taken apart in June 1818.

The Long-Serving President

  • HMS President (1829) was a 52-gun ship launched in 1829. After 1862, it was used as a training ship for the Royal Naval Reserve, which is a group of part-time sailors. This ship was sold in 1903. For a short time in 1903, it was also known as Old President.

President on Land: A Special Base

Today, the name HMS President refers to a special land base.

  • HMS President (shore establishment) is the main home for the London Division of the Royal Naval Reserve. It has been a land base near Tower Bridge in London, looking over the entrance to St Katharine Docks, since 1988.

Other Ships That Became President

Before the current land base, other ships were renamed HMS President while serving as the home for the London Division of the Royal Naval Reserve:

  • HMS Gannet was a Doterel-class ship, which means it was a smaller warship with a screw propeller. It was launched in 1878 and renamed HMS President in 1903. It was sold in 1911 but still exists today and can be seen at the Chatham Historic Dockyard.
  • HMS Buzzard was another Nymphe-class screw sloop, launched in 1887. It became HMS President in 1911. It was loaned out in 1919 and sold in 1921.
  • HMS Marjoram, a ship of the Anchusa-class class, was supposed to be the next HMS President. However, it was damaged in a wreck before it could be refitted for the role.
  • HMS Saxifrage, another Anchusa-class ship launched in 1918, became HMS President in 1921 instead. It served in this role until 1988. This ship is now permanently docked in the River Thames along the Victoria Embankment.

Brave Battles

Some ships named President were involved in important battles:

See also

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