Dates: 1942 - 1963
Eight ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Cockatrice after the legendary creature:
The first Cockatrice, launched in 1781, was a 14-gun cutter, sold in 1802.
Cockatrice was to have been the name for HMS Brevdrageren in 1812, but was never used.
The second Cockatrice, launched in 1832, was a 6-gun schooner, sold in 1858.
The third Cockatrice, launched in 1860, was a Britomart class wood screw gunboat, renamed to YC.10 in 1882 and finally sold in 1885.
The fourth Cockatrice was originally a composite paddle vessel called HMS Niger, launched in 1880, renamed Cockatrice in 1881 and renamed again to HMS Moorhen in 1896. She was sold in 1899.
The fifth Cockatrice was originally a first class gunboat called HMS Bramble, launched in 1886, renamed Cockatrice in 1896 and sold in 1906.
The sixth Cockatrice was an ex War Department vessel called Sir W. Harness, transferred and renamed Cockatrice in 1906, sold in 1910.
The seventh Cockatrice, launched in 1912, was a destroyer, sold in 1921.
The eighth Cockatrice, launched in 1942, was a Algerine class minesweeper, sold in 1963 for break up.
