HMS Africa - Definition and Overview

Six ships of the British Royal Navy ships have been named HMS Africa, after the continent of Africa.

• The first Africa was a 46-gun ship in service from 1694 to 1696, but about which little more is known.
• The second Africa, 64 was a 64-gun third-rate in service from 1761 to 1774.
• The third Africa, 64 was also a 64-gun third-rate, launched in 1781, on harbour service from 1798, and broken up 1814.
• The fourth Africa was a hired cutter in service 1803 and 1804.
• The fifth Africa was a wooden-hulled screw sloop launched in March 1862 and sold to China in August of that year, later operating as China.
• The sixth Africa was a King Edward VII-class battleship launched in 1905 and sold 1920.

The name was also slated for two aircraft carriers cancelled with the end of the Second World War, firstly one of the Audacious class. When that ship was cancelled, the name was allocated to a member of the cancelled Malta class.