Table of contents

1 HMS Illustrious (1789-?) 2 HMS Illustrious (1803-1868) 3 HMS Illustrious (1896-1920) 4 HMS Illustrious (1939-1956) 5 HMS Illustrious (1978-present day)

HMS Illustrious (1789-?)

The first Illustrious was a 74-gun Third-rate, and launched at Buckler's Hard in 1789. She had two engagements against the French Navy. The first was off the southern French city of Toulon in 1793 during the British action to capture the city. The second was at Genoa where she suffered severe damage and won a Battle Honour. While returning home in tow for much needed repairs from that battle, she ran aground, due to an incredibly violent storm. Shortly afterwards, she was set ablaze and duly abandoned.

HMS Illustrious (1803-1868)

The second HMS Illustrious was launched at Rotherhithe in 1803 and was like her predecessor a 74-gun Third-rate . Though she did not serve in the historic Battle of Trafalgar her career was a very successful one. She was involved in battles off Basque Roads, in which she won a Battle Honour, and off Java in Indonesia. In 1854, she became a training ship and continued as one until she was broken up in 1868 in Portsmouth.

HMS Illustrious (1896-1920)

The third Illustrious was a Majestic-class pre-dreadnought, launched in 1896 and scrapped in 1920.

HMS Illustrious (1939-1956)

The fourth Illustrious (R87) was an aircraft carrier commissioned in 1940, the year she became the first carrier to strike against an enemy fleet, and in service until 1954.

HMS Illustrious (1978-present day)

The fifth Illustrious (R06) is an aircraft carrier launched in 1981 and on active service as of 2004.

Battle Honours