HMS Arethusa

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Numerous Royal Navy ships have borne the name HMS Arethusa, after the Greek mythological nymph Arethusa who was transformed by Artemis into a fountain.

• The first Arethusa (32 guns) was a frigate captured from the French Navy in 1759.
• The second Arethusa (38 guns) was a frigate built at Bristol in 1781.
• The third Arethusa (46 guns) was a frigate built at Pembroke in 1817, and renamed Bacchus in 1844 upon her conversion into a hulk.
• The fourth Arethusa (50 guns) was a sail-powered frigate also built at Pembroke in 1849 and later fitted with a steam engine. She later became a training ship and survived into the 20th century. She was the last ship to enter combat by sail alone.
• The fifth Arethusa, launched 1882 at Govan, was a Leander-class protected cruiser. She was scrapped in 1905.
• The sixth Arethusa, launched 1913 at Chatham, was the lead ship of her class of light cruisers. Sunk by a mine during the First World War.
• The seventh Arethusa, launched 1934 at Chatham, was the lead ship of her class of light cruisers, and was seriously damaged by a torpedo during the Second World War. Scrapped 1950.
• The last Arethusa, launched 1963 at Cowes, was a Leander-class frigate. Decomissioned 1989, sunk as training target 1991.