Combatant Ship Collection

Nelson's inshore blockading squadron at Cadiz, July 1797, c.1800 (oil on canvas)
7337682 Nelson's inshore blockading squadron at Cadiz, July 1797, c.1800 (oil on canvas) by Buttersworth, Thomas (1768-1842); 63x99 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Battle of Lowestoft, 3 June 1665, Showing HMS 'Royal Charles' and the 'Eendracht'
7337616 The Battle of Lowestoft, 3 June 1665, Showing HMS 'Royal Charles' and the 'Eendracht', mid-17th century (oil on wood) by Minderhout

Men in a boat near two Dutch ships, 1652 (oil on panel)
7340545 Men in a boat near two Dutch ships, 1652 (oil on panel) by Sillemans, Experiens (fl.c.1650); 28.7x39.1 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Prison Ship York in Portsmouth Harbour, 1807 (etching)
7341890 Prison Ship York in Portsmouth Harbour, 1807 (etching) by Cooke, Edward William (1811-80); 21.6x28.4 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Duchess before a light breeze, c.1681 (graphite)
7341879 The Duchess before a light breeze, c.1681 (graphite) by Velde, Willem van de, the Elder (1611-93); 27.8x41.5 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Sovereign of the Seas (1637), after an original by Willem Van de Velde, the Elder, 1802 (coloured etching)
7341846 Sovereign of the Seas (1637), after an original by Willem Van de Velde, the Elder, 1802 (coloured etching) by Unknown Artist, (19th century); 29x40.1 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Fleet with a ship on fire, 18th century (pen & ink drawing, grey wash)
7341813 Fleet with a ship on fire, 18th century (pen & ink drawing, grey wash) by Cleveley, Robert (1747-1809); 29x35.5 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Canopus 80 guns First class 2nd rate, c.1849 (etching)
7341808 Canopus 80 guns First class 2nd rate, c.1849 (etching) by Nibbs, Richard Henry (c.1816-93); 27.4x38 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

64-gun ship Dictator (1783) engaging Danish gunboats, 26 June 1808, c.1810 (coloured lithograph)
7341800 64-gun ship Dictator (1783) engaging Danish gunboats, 26 June 1808, c.1810 (coloured lithograph) by Truslew, N. (19th century); 33x45.3 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Attack on Chinese Pirates by the pinnace of HMS Druid, 1842, 19th century (watercolour)
7341826 Attack on Chinese Pirates by the pinnace of HMS Druid, 1842, 19th century (watercolour) by O'Reilly, M. (19th century); 23x37.6 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Battle of Copenhagen, 2 April 1801, 1801 (oil on canvas)
7337697 The Battle of Copenhagen, 2 April 1801, 1801 (oil on canvas) by Serres, John Thomas (1759-1825); 49.5x81.3 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Nelson forcing the passage of the sound, 30 March 1801, prior to the Battle of Copenhagen, 1801-15 (oil on canvas)
7337695 Nelson forcing the passage of the sound, 30 March 1801, prior to the Battle of Copenhagen, 1801-15 (oil on canvas) by Dodd, Robert (1748-1815); 61x91.4 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Battle of the Nile, 1 August 1798, 1801 (oil painting)
7337690 The Battle of the Nile, 1 August 1798, 1801 (oil painting) by Luny, Thomas (1759-1837); 90.2x151.1 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Captain capturing the San Nicolas and the San Jose at the Battle of Cape St Vincent, 14 February 1797
7337680 The Captain capturing the San Nicolas and the San Jose at the Battle of Cape St Vincent, 14 February 1797, 1808 (oil on canvas) by Pocock

The General Goddard capturing Dutch East Indiamen, late 18th century - early 19th century (oil on canvas)
7337677 The General Goddard capturing Dutch East Indiamen, late 18th century - early 19th century (oil on canvas) by Luny, Thomas (1759-1837); 114.3x184.1 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Defence at the Battle of the 1 June 1794, 1811 (oil on canvas)
7337675 The Defence at the Battle of the 1 June 1794, 1811 (oil on canvas) by Pocock, Nicholas (1741-1821); 35.5x50.8 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

HMS Brunswick breaking the line at the Battle of the First of June, 1794, 1795 (oil on canvas)
7337674 HMS Brunswick breaking the line at the Battle of the First of June, 1794, 1795 (oil on canvas) by Pocock, Nicholas (1741-1821); 4.5x58.5 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Brunswick and the Vengeur du Peuple at the Battle of the 1 June 1794, 1795 (oil on canvas)
7337672 The Brunswick and the Vengeur du Peuple at the Battle of the 1 June 1794, 1795 (oil on canvas) by Pocock, Nicholas (1741-1821); 139.7x190.5 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Action between HMS Crescent and the Reunion, 20 October 1793: ships engaged (painting)
7337671 Action between HMS Crescent and the Reunion, 20 October 1793: ships engaged (painting) by Jones, C. M. (18th century); 30.5x45.7 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Moonlight Battle: the Battle off Cape St Vincent, 1780 (oil on canvas)
7337661 The Moonlight Battle: the Battle off Cape St Vincent, 1780 (oil on canvas) by Paton, Richard (1717-91); 101.6x147.3 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 20 November 1759, 1812 (oil painting)
7337656 The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 20 November 1759, 1812 (oil painting) by Pocock, Nicholas (1741-1821); 67.3x108 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 20 November 1759, 1779 (oil painting)
7337655 The Battle of Quiberon Bay, 20 November 1759, 1779 (oil painting) by Serres, Dominic (1722-93); 114.3x182.8 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: Dominic Serres)

Lord Anson's victory off Cape Finisterre, 3 May 1747, 18th century (oil painting)
7337646 Lord Anson's victory off Cape Finisterre, 3 May 1747, 18th century (oil painting) by Scott, Samuel (c.1702-72); 106.6x189.2 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Commodore Walker's action: the Privateer Boscawen engaging a fleet of French ships, 23 May 1745
7337645 Commodore Walker's action: the Privateer Boscawen engaging a fleet of French ships, 23 May 1745, 18th century (oil on canvas) by Brooking

The Battle of Texel, 11 August 1673, 1685 (oil on canvas)
7337640 The Battle of Texel, 11 August 1673, 1685 (oil on canvas) by Bakhuizen, Ludolf (1630-1708) ; 67.4x80 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The burning of the Soleil Royal at the Battle of La Hogue, 23 May 1692, late 17th century (oil on canvas)
7337634 The burning of the Soleil Royal at the Battle of La Hogue, 23 May 1692, late 17th century (oil on canvas) by Velde, Willem van de, the Elder (1611-93); 62.4x75.7 cm; National Maritime Museum

The Battle of Barfleur, 19 May 1692, 17th century (grisaille on panel)
7337630 The Battle of Barfleur, 19 May 1692, 17th century (grisaille on panel) by Salm, Adriaen or Abraham (c.1660-1720); 87.8x160 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

HMS Royal Prince and other vessels at the Four Days Battle, 1-4 June 1666, late 17th century (oil on canvas)
7337617 HMS Royal Prince and other vessels at the Four Days Battle, 1-4 June 1666, late 17th century (oil on canvas) by Storck, Abraham (1644-1708); 78.8x110.6 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Battle of The Sound, 29 October - 8 November 1658, c.1660 (oil painting)
7337613 The Battle of The Sound, 29 October - 8 November 1658, c.1660 (oil painting) by Velde, Willem van de, the Elder (1611-93); 96.5x139.7 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Battle of the Gabbard, 2 June 1653, c.1653 (grisaille on panel)
7337610 The Battle of the Gabbard, 2 June 1653, c.1653 (grisaille on panel) by Witmont, Heerman (c.1605-c.83); 111.8x179.1 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

HMS Edinburgh on anti-torpedo exercise, c.1887 (oil on canvas)
7337796 HMS Edinburgh on anti-torpedo exercise, c.1887 (oil on canvas) by Martino, Eduardo de (1838-1912); 52x91.5 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

English warships at anchor in a calm, drying sails, early 18th century (oil on canvas)
7337760 English warships at anchor in a calm, drying sails, early 18th century (oil on canvas) by Monamy, Peter (1681-1749); 77.2x107.8x2.6 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

A royal yacht with a fleet getting under way in a breeze, c.1720 (oil on canvas)
7337755 A royal yacht with a fleet getting under way in a breeze, c.1720 (oil on canvas) by British School, (18th Century); 59x72.5 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

A Dutch ship close-hauled, c.1610 (oil on panel)
7337734 A Dutch ship close-hauled, c.1610 (oil on panel) by Anthonisz, Aert (c.1579/80-1620); 25.4x38.1 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Battle of Navarino, 20 October 1827, 1828 (oil on canvas)
7337716 The Battle of Navarino, 20 October 1827, 1828 (oil on canvas) by Luny, Thomas (1759-1837); 40.6x52.1 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

H. M. S. Ganges at target practice, 1813-23 (lithograph)
7337573 H. M. S. Ganges at target practice, 1813-23 (lithograph) by Boone, C. (fl.c.1813); 27.5x38.7 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: C. Boone (artist); H. M

40-gun ship Lion (1557, also known as Golden Lion'), mid 17th century (engraving)
7337504 40-gun ship Lion (1557, also known as Golden Lion'), mid 17th century (engraving) by Visscher, Claes Jansz (c.1550-c.1612); National Maritime Museum, London

Naval battle, organized as an exhibition fight for the people of Rome by Emperor Claudius, historical engraving of 1883
UIG5414170 Naval battle, organized as an exhibition fight for the people of Rome by Emperor Claudius, historical engraving of 1883; UIG

A 17th century French galley under sail. (print)
7419950 A 17th century French galley under sail. (print); (add.info.: A 17th century French galley under sail. After a print dated 1703.); Photo © Ken Welsh. All rights reserved 2024

The capture of the Guillaume Tell, 31 March 1800, 1802 (watercolour)
7341816 The capture of the Guillaume Tell, 31 March 1800, 1802 (watercolour) by Pocock, Nicholas (1741-1821); 26.5x40.6 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

View of the British Fleet under the command of Admiral Duncan, 1797 (aquatint)
7341600 View of the British Fleet under the command of Admiral Duncan, 1797 (aquatint) by Fairburn, J. (19th Century); 25.9x36.6 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Carmania sinking Cap Trafalgar off Trinidade in the South Atlantic, 14 September 1914, 1923 (paper, watercolour)
7341572 Carmania sinking Cap Trafalgar off Trinidade in the South Atlantic, 14 September 1914, 1923 (paper, watercolour) by Dixon, Charles Edward (1872-1934); 34x46.5 cm; National Maritime Museum

HMS Victory, late 18th to early 19th century (coloured lithograph)
7341662 HMS Victory, late 18th to early 19th century (coloured lithograph) by Mitchell, William Frederick (1845-1914); 25.2x33 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Rodney's fleet taking in prizes after the Moonlight Battle, 16 January 1780, late 18th century (oil painting)
7339090 Rodney's fleet taking in prizes after the Moonlight Battle, 16 January 1780, late 18th century (oil painting) by Serres, Dominic (1722-93); 106.7x152.4 cm; National Maritime Museum

Dutch ship Eendracht, 17th Century (grisaille on panel)
7338120 Dutch ship Eendracht, 17th Century (grisaille on panel) by Witmont, Heerman (c.1605-c.83); 26.7x40.6 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The Charles Galley before a light breeze, late 17th century (oil on panel)
7338112 The Charles Galley before a light breeze, late 17th century (oil on panel) by Velde, Willem van de, the Younger (1633-1707); 71.1x95.2 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

A view of the Royal Navy of Great Britain, 1804 (aquatint)
7339212 A view of the Royal Navy of Great Britain, 1804 (aquatint) by Heideloff, Nicolaus von (c.1761-1837); 66.2x48.6 cm; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Creator: Heildeloff)

Before the Battle of the Downs, 21 October 1639, showing Tromp's Flagship 'Amelia', c.1639 (oil on canvas)
7338105 Before the Battle of the Downs, 21 October 1639, showing Tromp's Flagship 'Amelia', c.1639 (oil on canvas) by Nooms, Reinier (c.1623-64); 91.4x111.7 cm; National Maritime Museum

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A combatant ship, also known as a warship, is a powerful vessel designed for battle on the high seas. These ships are equipped with advanced weaponry and technology to defend against enemy attacks and engage in combat operations. From ancient times to modern warfare, combatant ships have played a crucial role in naval battles and protecting national interests. These formidable vessels come in various classes and sizes, ranging from small patrol boats to massive aircraft carriers, and are manned by highly trained sailors and officers who operate complex systems such as radar, sonar, missiles, guns, and torpedoes, and are essential components of any navy's fleet, providing both offensive capabilities and defensive measures. Whether patrolling international waters or participating in military exercises, combatant ships project power and deter potential adversaries. Their presence can influence diplomatic negotiations and provide support during humanitarian missions or disaster relief efforts. In times of conflict, these warships stand ready to defend their country's interests at sea. The combatant ship represents strength, resilience, and determination in the face of adversity. It symbolizes the unwavering commitment of sailors who serve onboard to protect their nation's sovereignty and uphold maritime security. As long as there are threats on the horizon, these mighty vessels will continue to sail into harm's way with courage and honor.