A ship prefix is a combination of letters, usually abbreviations, used in front of the name of a civilian or naval ship. Italian ship-rigged vessel Amerigo Vespucci in New York Harbor, 1976 A ship is a large, sea-going watercraft. ...

Prefixes for civilian vessels may either identify the type of propulsion, such as "SS" for steamship, or purpose, such as "RV" for research vessel. Civilian prefixes are often used inconsistently, and frequently not at all. Sometimes a slash is used to separate the letters, as in "M/S". Paddle steamers - Lucerne-Switzerland Left: original paddlewheel from a paddle steamer on the lake of Lucerne. ... A research vessel is a ship primarily constructed to carry out scientific research at sea. ...

Naval prefixes came into use as abbreviations for longer titles, such as "His/Her Majesty's Ship" in the Royal Navy, abbreviated "H.M.S" and then "HMS". Earlier uses often included the type of vessel, as for instance "U.S.F." ("United States Frigate") for frigates of the United States Navy. Today the common practice is to use a single prefix for all warships of a nation's navy, and other prefixes for auxiliaries and ships of allied services, such as coast guards. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... For the bird, see Frigatebird. ... USN redirects here. ... Diagrams of first and third rate warships, England, 1728 Cyclopaedia. ... A coast guard is a national organization responsible for various services at sea. ...

The use of ship prefixes is not universal; in particular neither the Third Reich's Kriegsmarine nor the Imperial Japanese Navy used ship prefixes. Some English-language writers use prefixes like "DKM" (for "Deutsche Kriegsmarine") and "HIJMS" (for "His Imperial Japanese Majesty's Ship") or "IJN" (for "Imperial Japanese Navy", a translation of 大日本帝国海軍 dai-nippon teikoku kaigun) for consistency with "HMS" and "USS". Other writers follow the practice of the navy and omit any prefix. Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... The Kriegsmarine (or War Navy) was the name of the German Navy between 1935 and 1945, during the Nazi regime, superseding the Reichsmarine. ... The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (: 大日本帝國海軍 Shinjitai: 大日本帝国海軍   or 日本海軍 Nippon Kaigun), officially Navy of Empire of Greater Japan, also known as the Japanese Navy or Combined Fleet was the Navy of Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japans constitutional renunciation of the use of force...

From the 20th century onwards, most navies identify ships by hull numbers — identification codes typically painted on the side of the ship. Each navy has its own system: the United States Navy uses hull classification symbols, and the Royal Navy and other navies of Europe and the Commonwealth use pennant numbers. (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Hull number is the number given to a ship when it is built. ... The United States Navy uses hull classification symbols (sometimes called hull codes) to identify the types of its ships. ... HMS Leeds Castle, launched in 1943 as a corvette with pennant number K384, was redesignated a frigate in 1948 and given the new flag superior F as seen here. ...

This tables lists both current and historical prefixes known to have been used.

Generic (Merchant Navy) prefixes

Anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels supply oil platforms, as well as tow them to location and serve as standby rescue and firefighting vessels. ... A diving support vessel is a ship that is used as a floating base for professional diving projects. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... A high-speed craft (HSC) is a high speed water vessel for civilian use, also called a fastcraft or fast ferry. ... A motor ship is a ship propulsed by a motor, which in this context means an internal combustion engine. ... Moored narrowboats near Tardebigge, Worcestershire, England Horse drawing a narrowboat on the Kennet and Avon Canal. ... A paddle steamer, paddleboat, or paddlewheeler is a ship or boat propelled by one or more paddle wheels driven by a steam engine. ... Platform supply vessel (often abbreviated as PSV) is a ship specially designed to supply offshore oil platforms. ... A research vessel is a ship primarily constructed to carry out scientific research at sea. ... Paddle steamers - Lucerne-Switzerland Left: original paddlewheel from a paddle steamer on the lake of Lucerne. ... A semi-submersible or semisubmersible is a watercraft that can put much of its bulk underwater. ... Traditional wooden cutter under sail. ...

National or military prefixes

The armed forces of Argentina are controlled by the Commander-in-Chief (the President) and a civilian Minister of Defense. ... The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. ... Her Majestys Australian Ship (HMAS) is the designation of any Australian warship, as well as many major Australian naval bases such as HMAS Stirling. ... Capital Melbourne Government Const. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... His or Her Majestys Ship (HMS) is the title used for ships of the navy in some monarchies, either formally or informally. ... His or Her Majestys Ship (HMS) is the title used for ships of the navy in some monarchies, either formally or informally. ... The Bangladesh Navy has a strength of 14,950 personnel including 1,081 officers[1] (2005 estimate). ... Military branches: Royal Barbados Defense Force (includes Ground Forces and Coast Guard), Royal Barbados Police Force Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 77,789 (2000 est. ... His or Her Majestys Ship (HMS) is the title used for ships of the navy in some monarchies, either formally or informally. ... Military branches: Army Component, Naval Component and Air Component Military manpower - military age: 16 years of age (2001) Military manpower - availability: males age 16-49: 2,436,736 (2005 est. ... The Sultanate of Brunei, more commonly referred to as Brunei Darussalam or simply Brunei, is an oil-rich country located on the island of Borneo, in southeast Asia. ... The Royal Brunei Navy is the naval defence force of Brunei Darrussalam. ... HMCS Bastion, flagship of the Canadian Navy. ... Her Majestys Canadian Ship (HMCS) is the English designation of any Canadian warship, as well as many major Canadian naval bases such as HMCS Discovery and all Sea Cadet Summer Training Centers like HMCS Quadra. ... The Canadian Coast Guard or CCG (Fr. ... Flag of the Canadian Coast Guard. ... The Canadian Coast Guard or CCG (Fr. ... The Canadian Coast Guard or CCG (Fr. ... Colombias Ministry of Defense, charged with the countrys internal and external defense and security, has an Army, Navy (which includes both marines and coast guard) Air Force, and National Police under the leadership of a civilian Minister of Defense. ... For the fictional documentary about alternative history, see C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America. ... Navy Department Seal The Confederate States Navy (CSN) was the naval branch of the Confederate States armed forces established by an act of the Confederate Congress on February 21, 1861 responsible for Confederate naval operations during the American Civil War. ... Croatian War Navy (Croatian: Hrvatska ratna mornarica) is a branch of the Croatian Armed Forces. ... Flag of the Royal Danish Navy. ... Military branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police (Policia Nacional) Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 3,468,678 (2002 est. ... The Estonian Defence Forces consists of 5120 persons in uniform. ... The Estonian Defence Forces consists of 5120 persons in uniform. ... The Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), with a total manpower of only 3500 men, is one of the smallest in the world. ... Finnish Naval Ensign The Finnish Navy (Finnish: Suomen merivoimat) is one of the branches of the Finnish Defence Forces. ... The French Navy, officially called the National Navy (French: Marine Nationale) is the maritime arm of the French military. ... Motto: Gott mit Uns (German: God with us”) Anthem: Heil dir im Siegerkranz (unofficial) Territory of the German Empire in 1914, prior to World War I Capital Berlin Language(s) Official: German Unofficial minority languages: Polish (Posen, Lower Silesia,Upper Silesia, Masuria) French (Alsace-Lorraine) Government Constitutional monarchy Emperor  - 1871... The Kaiserliche Marine or Imperial Navy was the German Navy created by the formation of the German Empire and existed between 1871 and 1919; it grew out of the Prussian Navy and the Norddeutsche Bundesmarine. ... The Kaiserliche Marine or Imperial Navy was the German Navy created by the formation of the German Empire and existed between 1871 and 1919; it grew out of the Prussian Navy and the Norddeutsche Bundesmarine. ... This is a list of ships of the German navies. ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... The Kriegsmarine (or War Navy) was the name of the German Navy between 1935 and 1945, during the Nazi regime, superseding the Reichsmarine. ... The German Navy has had several names depending on the political structure of Germany at the time: Deutsche Marine (German Navy) (1848)-(1852) Norddeutsche Bundesmarine (Northern German Federal Navy) (1866_1871) Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy) (1872-1918) Vorläufige Reichsmarine (1919-1921) Reichsmarine (State Navy) (1921-1935) Kriegsmarine (War Navy) (1935_1945... The Deutsche Marine is the present day German Navy, replacing both the East German Volksmarine and the West German Bundesmarine after the reunification of Germany in 1990. ... The Hellenic Navy (Greek: , Polemikó Naftikó) is the naval force of the modern nation of Greece (Hellenic Republic). ... Coat of arms of the Icelandic Coast Guard Naval Ensign of the Icelandic Coast Guard Origins of the Icelandic Coast Guard (Landhelgisgæsla Íslands) can be traced to 1859, when the corvette Örnen started patrolling Icelandic waters. ... Coat of arms of the Icelandic Coast Guard Naval Ensign of the Icelandic Coast Guard Origins of the Icelandic Coast Guard (Landhelgisgæsla Íslands) can be traced to 1859, when the corvette Örnen started patrolling Icelandic waters. ... Coat of arms of the Icelandic Coast Guard Naval Ensign of the Icelandic Coast Guard Origins of the Icelandic Coast Guard (Landhelgisgæsla Íslands) can be traced to 1859, when the corvette Örnen started patrolling Icelandic waters. ... The Cod Wars (also called the Iceland Cod Wars) were a series of confrontations between the United Kingdom and Iceland over Icelands claims of authority over tracts of ocean off their coastline as being their exclusive fishery zone. ... British India (otherwise known as The British Raj) was a historical period during which most of the Indian subcontinent, or present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, were under the colonial authority of the British Empire (Undivided India). ... The Indian Navy has a history dating back to the British East India Company in 1612, through the division of the Indian Empire into India and Pakistan, who have fought several wars against each other. ... Indian Coast Guards coat of Arms. ... The military of India, officially known as the Indian armed forces, is the primary military organisation responsible for the territorial security and defence of India. ... Indonesias armed forces (Indonesian: Tentara Nasional Indonesia, abbreviated as TNI, formerly Angkatan Bersenjata Republik Indonesia, abbreviated as ABRI) total about 1,602,000 members, including the Army (TNI-AD), Navy(including marines), and Air Force. ... Irish Naval Jack The Irish Naval Service is the navy of the Republic of Ireland and is one of the three standing branches of the Irish Defence Forces (Óglaigh na hÉireann). ... Main operational areas of the Israeli Sea Corps as seen from Space Shuttle STS-40: Mediterranean Sea (north), Gulf of Aqaba (east), Red Sea (south), and Gulf of Suez (west). ... There have been several entities known as the Kingdom of Italy. ... The Italian Regia Marina (literally: Royal Navy) dates from the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 after Italian unification. ... The Italian Regia Marina (literally: Royal Navy) dates from the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 after Italian unification. ... Marina Militare naval jack Marina Militare (Italian Navy) is one of the four branches of the military forces of Italy. ... The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (: 大日本帝國海軍 Shinjitai: 大日本帝国海軍   or 日本海軍 Nippon Kaigun), officially Navy of Empire of Greater Japan, also known as the Japanese Navy or Combined Fleet was the Navy of Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japans constitutional renunciation of the use of force... The Japan Self-Defense Forces ), or JSDF, are the military forces in Japan that were established after the end of World War II. The force has not been engaged in real combat but has been engaged in some international peacekeeping operations. ... The Latvian National Armed Forces (Latvian: Latvijas Nacionālie bruņotie spÄ“ki) consist of 5910 personnel in uniform. ... Lithuanian Navy is one of the three branches of Armed Forces of the Republic of Lithuania, along with Army and Air Force. ... Military of Malaysia is known officially as the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF, Malay: Angkatan Tentera Malaysia). ... The Mexican military forces are composed of the Mexican Army (which includes the Mexican Air Force as a subordinate entity) and the Mexican Navy. ... Flag of the Royal Netherlands Navy Royal Netherlands Navy Jack The Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy ) is the navy of the Netherlands. ... In Dutch, military ship names are given the prefix Harer Majesteits (her majestys or Hr. ... The military of New Zealand consists of three branches- the New Zealand Army; the Royal New Zealand Navy; and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. ... His or Her Majestys Ship (HMS) is the title used for ships of the navy in some monarchies, either formally or informally. ... Ranks Norwegian military ranks The Royal Norwegian Navy (often abbreviated as RNoN) is the branch of the Norwegian Defence Force responsible for naval operations. ... Ranks Norwegian military ranks The Royal Norwegian Navy (often abbreviated as RNoN) is the branch of the Norwegian Defence Force responsible for naval operations. ... Military manpower Military age 16 years of age Availability 39,028,014 (2005) Males ages 16-49 Reaching military age males: 1,969,055 (2005) Active troops 620,000 (Ranked 7th) Military expenditures Dollar figure $3. ... Peruvian Navy Jack The Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Perú) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the peruvian littoral. ... Peruvian Navy Jack The Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Perú) is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with surveillance, patrol and defense on lakes, rivers and the Pacific Ocean up to 200 nautical miles from the peruvian littoral. ... Once a model for the entire Asian continent and feared and envied by its Southeast Asian neighbors, particularly during the 1950s and 60s, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has since been surpassed by all other armed forces in the region and now is one of the weakest, most underfunded... Flag of the Polish Navy Polish Navy Ensign The Polish Navy (Marynarka Wojenna RP, MW RP) is the branch of Polands armed forces responsible for naval operations. ... ORP may refer to: OkrÄ™t Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej (a traditional ship prefix in the Polish Navy meaning Vessel of the Polish Republic) Oxidation Reduction Potential (chemistry) Operational Ration Pack (the combat ration of the British Armed Forces) Open Runtime Platform (computer science) This page disambiguates a three-character combination which... The Portuguese Armed Forces (Portuguese: Forças Armadas Portuguesas or FAP) are divided into three branches: Army (Exército Português) Navy (Marinha Portuguesa) Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa) In the 20th century, Portugal had only two major military interventions, the first one in the 1st World War... The Russian Navy (Russian: Военно Морской Флот (ВМФ) - Voyenno- Morskoy Flot (VMF) or Military Maritime Fleet) is the naval arm of the Russian armed forces. ... Military branches: Land Force (Army), Navy (including a Naval Air Wing and Marines), Air Force (RSAF), Air Defense Force, Saudi Arabian National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary) Military Situation: With the collapse of the Iraqi Baathist regime in mid-2003, the greatest conventional threat to The Kingdom was... His or Her Majestys Ship (HMS) is the title used for ships of the navy in some monarchies, either formally or informally. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN, Malay: Angkatan Laut Republik Singapura, Simplified Chinese: 新加坡海军部队) is the navy of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). ... The South African Navy (SAN), known in Afrikaans as Suid-Afrikaanse Vloot is the navy of South Africa. ... The Spanish Navy (in Spanish, Armada Española) is the navy of Spain. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Swedish Navy (Swedish Marinen) is the naval branch of the Swedish Armed Forces. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... Today the country officially known as the Republic of China (ROC) is commonly known by the international community as Taiwan and occasionally as Chinese Taipei. It should not be confused with the other country officially known as the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), which is commonly known as China. ... The Republic of China Navy (中華民國海軍; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó HÇŽijÅ«n) is the maritime branch of the armed forces of the Republic of China (Taiwan). ... Thai Navy ensign Thai Navy jack The Royal Thai Navy (Thai: ) is the navy of Thailand and was established in the late 1800s. ... Seal of the Turkish Navy Branch of Turkish Armed Forces, Turkish Navy (Turkish: Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri) can participate in international operations and exercises beyond Mediterranean Sea. ... Royal Mail Ship (or Steamer), usually seen in its abbreviated form RMS, is the ship prefix used of any seagoing vessel that carries mail under contract to the British Royal Mail. ... Royal Mails logo Royal Mail is the national postal service of the United Kingdom. ... Motto: (Latin for No one provokes me with impunity)1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots 2 Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I... Ensign of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) is an executive agency of the Scottish Executive, part of the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department. ... The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is the service that keeps the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom running around the world. ... Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service ensign The Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service is a British Government agency which runs a variety of small support vessels for the Royal Navy. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... His or Her Majestys Ship (HMS) is the title used for ships of the navy in some monarchies, either formally or informally. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... His or Her Majestys Ship (HMS) is the title used for ships of the navy in some monarchies, either formally or informally. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... In the 18th century, the British Royal Navy used the term Bark for a nondescript vessel which did not fit any of its usual categories. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... Motor Gun Boat was a Royal Navy term for a small military vessel of the Second World War. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... A monitor was a special form of warship, little more than a self-propelled floating artillery platform that could move close inshore and give its support to military operations on land. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... Motto: (Welsh for Wales forever) Anthem: Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau Capital Cardiff (Caerdydd) Largest city Cardiff (Caerdydd) Official language(s) Welsh, English Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Rhodri Morgan AM Unification    - by Gruffudd ap Llywelyn 1056  Area    - Total... The Corporation of Trinity House - came into being in 1514 by Royal Charter granted by Henry VIII. Flag of Trinity House Trinity House has three main functions: The care of all lighthouses in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. ... Cape Wrath lighthouse The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), previously known as the Commissioners of Northern Light Houses, is the organisation responsible for marine navigation aids around the coastal areas of Scotland and the Isle of Man. ... A lighthouse tender is a ship specifically designed to maintain, support, or tend to lighthouses, providing supplies, fuel, mail and transportation. ... The armed forces of the United Kingdom are known as the British Armed Forces or Her Majestys Armed Forces, sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown[2]. Their Commander-in-Chief is the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II and they are managed by the Defence Council of the... The Royal Logistic Corps is the British Army corps that provides the logistic support for the Army. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... His or Her Majestys Ship (HMS) is the title of any commissioned ship in the British Royal Navy, and refers to the King or Queen of the United Kingdom as appropriate at the time. ... Aircraft of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and coalition counterparts stationed together at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, in southwest Asia, fly over the desert. ... Starting in 1957 the US Air Force began operating a small fleet of Missile Range Instrumentation Ships to support missile test ranges. ... It has been suggested that United States Army values be merged into this article or section. ... USN redirects here. ... The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is a United States Navy (USN) organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. ... The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is a branch of the United States armed forces involved in maritime law enforcement, mariner assistance, search and rescue, and national defense, among other duties of coast guards elsewhere. ... The United States Revenue Cutter Service was established by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in 1790 as an armed maritime law enforcement service. ... The armed forces of Uruguay are constitutionally subordinate to the president through the Minister of Defense. ... As of 2000, the armed forces enlisted 87,500 individuals in four service branches--the Army, Navy (including the Marine Corps), Air Force, and the Armed Forces of Cooperation (FAC), commonly known as the National Guard. ...

Notes

The designations for United Kingdom ships applied at the time of the British Empire, before the establishment of separate navies for the Dominions.^{[citation needed]}

In the Royal Netherlands Navy, "HNLMS" is the prefix in English, a translation of the Dutch original "Hr.Ms." or "Zr.Ms.". "Hr.Ms." should preferably not be used English-language documents; nevertheless it is often seen on the World Wide Web. Until the moment a Dutch naval ship officially enters active service in the fleet, the ship's name is used without the prefix. Flag of the Royal Netherlands Navy Royal Netherlands Navy Jack The Koninklijke Marine (Royal Netherlands Navy ) is the navy of the Netherlands. ... In Dutch, military ship names are given the prefix Harer Majesteits (her majestys or Hr. ... WWWs historical logo designed by Robert Cailliau The World Wide Web (WWW or simply the Web) is a system of interlinked, hypertext documents that runs over the Internet. ...

In the United States Navy, all prefixes other than "USS," "USNS" and "USCGC" were obsoleted in 1901 when President Theodore Roosevelt signed into law a bill fixing American naval nomenclature. The presidential seal was used by President Hayes in 1880 and last modified in 1959 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ... Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. ...

A United States ship that has not yet been commissioned in the Navy does not hold the title of USS, it holds the title of PCU (Pre-commissioned unit). For example, say a shipyard is building a new aircraft carrier:—the Flattop. From the date the keel is laid to the date it is commissioned, it is called the PCU Flattop. Only after it enters active service in the fleet and is commissioned will it be referred to as the USS Flattop. In Australia, the prefix NUSHIP is used to denote ships that have yet to be commissioned into the fleet.

Note that while calling a US ship "the USS Flattop" may make grammatical sense, the preliminary article "the" is deprecated by nearly all style guides, and the U.S. Navy. The Navy uses ship names without article, except for USS The Sullivans, named for the five Sullivan brothers, all lost at sea during World War II. Its British equivalent ("the HMS Flattop") is also deprecated, since "the Her Majesty's Ship" would be grammatically incorrect. USS The Sullivans (DDG-68), an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the five Sullivan brothers — George, Francis, Joseph, Madison, and Albert Sullivan, aged 19 to 27 — who lost their lives when their ship, Juneau, was... The brothers on board Juneau; from l to r, Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George Sullivan The Sullivan brothers were five siblings who all died during the same incident in World War II, the sinking of the light cruiser USS Juneau (CL-52), the vessel on which they all served. ... Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom France Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Charles de Gaulle Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian...

External links

• Warship National Prefixes