The first HMS Vanguard, of the British Royal Navy was a 32-gun galleon launched in 1586 from Woolwich. She played a key part in the action against the Spanish Armada in 1588. She was commanded by Martin Frobisher in 1594 and by Sir Robert Mansell in 1596. During actions against Algerian pirates Vanguard flew the flag of Sir Richard Hawkins in 1620. The ship was dismantled in 1599 and again in 1615 and rebuilt, but in 1630 she was broken up.
See HMS Vanguard for other ships of this name.
