Two ships of the
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...
have borne the name HMS ''Gainsborough'':
*
''Gainsborough'' was a 40-gun ship launched in 1653. She was renamed HMS ''Swallow'' in 1660 and rated as a
fourth rate
In 1603 all English warships with a compliment of fewer than 160 men were known as 'small ships'. In 1625/26 to establish pay rates for officers a six tier naval ship rating system was introduced.Winfield 2009 These small ships were divided i ...
. She was wrecked in 1692.
* was a
minesweeper
A minesweeper is a small warship designed to remove or detonate naval mines. Using various mechanisms intended to counter the threat posed by naval mines, minesweepers keep waterways clear for safe shipping.
History
The earliest known usage of ...
, built as HMS ''Gorleston'', but renamed before being launched in 1918. She was sold in 1928.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gainsborough
Royal Navy ship names