HMS Leda

Six ships of the British Royal Navy have been named HMS Leda, after the Leda of Greek mythology.

• The first Leda was a 36-gun fifth-rate launched in 1783 and foundered 1796.

• The second Leda was a 38-gun fifth-rate launched 1800 and wrecked 1808.

• The third Leda was a 36-gun fifth-rate launched 1809 and sold 1817.

• The fourth Leda was a 46-gun fifth-rate launched in 1828, used as a police hulk from 1864, and sold in 1906.

• The fifth Leda was a torpedo gunboat launched in 1892, converted to a minesweeper 1909 and sold 1920.

• The sixth Leda was a minesweeper launched 1937 and sunk in 1942 by U-435.