Some of the best ships in the sailing Royal Navy were designed and built in France or Spain and commissioned after capture, when they often kept their original name, but with the value added distinction of an “HMS”.

The Old Barky Sarky, as her crew called her, was a fine example – but fictional.

Some of you may not recognise ‘Pompey’, although all Royal Navy people will know and use this affectionate name for Portsmouth, an ancient and still operational navy port in southern England.  Obviously, HMS Sardonique was not ‘taken’ there, she was ‘taken TO’ there.