HMS Circe

Five ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Circe, after the Greek goddess Circe.

• The first Circe was a 28-gun 6th rate launched in 1785 and wrecked in 1803.

• The second Circe was a 32-gun 5th rate launched in 1804 and sold in 1814.

• The third Circe was a 46-gun 5th rate launched in 1827, confined to harbour service in 1866, renamed Impregnable in 1916 and sold 1922.

• The fourth Circe was a torpedo gunboat in service from 1892 to 1920.

• The fifth Circe was a minesweeper launched in 1942 and broken up 1967.