HMS Royal Oak

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Eight (or twelve, depending on how one counts) vessels of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Royal Oak. The name refers to the Royal Oak in which Charles II of England hid himself during his flight from the country in the British Civil War.

• The first Royal Oak was a 76-gun second-rate launched in 1664 and burnt by the Dutch in 1667 in the Raid on the Medway.
• The second Royal Oak was a 70-gun third-rate launched in 1674, rebuilt in 1690, 1713, and 1741 (each of which may be considered a different ship), and broken up 1764.
• The third Royal Oak was a 74-gun third-rate launched in 1769, a prison ship from 1796, renamed Assistance in 1805, and broken up 1815.
• Renown of 1798 was later renamed Royal Oak.
• The fifth Royal Oak was a 74-gun third-rate launched in 1809, on harbour service from 1825, and broken up 1850.
• The sixth Royal Oak was an ironclad frigate in service from 1862 to 1885.
• The seventh Royal Oak was a Royal Sovereign-class battleship launched in 1892 and scrapped in 1914.
• The eighth Royal Oak was a Revenge-class battleship launched in 1914 and sunk at anchor on October 14, 1939, in Scapa Flow. She fought at the Battle of Jutland.