Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia is the former royal yacht of the British monarchy. She was in their service from 1954 until 1997. She was the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660, and is the second royal yacht to bear the name, the first being the racing cutter built for the Prince of Wales in 1893. During her 43-year career, the yacht travelled more than a million nautical miles around the world to more than 600 ports in 135 countries. Now retired from royal service, Britannia is permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal, Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland, where it is a visitor attraction with over 300,000 visits each year.
Britannia departs Cardiff for the last time.
Royal Yacht Britannia Crest
HMY Britannia on the Welland Canal in Canada, en route to Chicago in 1959, as part of the celebration for the opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway
Britannia at the Spithead Fleet Review for the Silver Jubilee, 1977
A hospital ship is a ship designated for primary function as a floating medical treatment facility or hospital. Most are operated by the military forces of various countries, as they are intended to be used in or near war zones. In the 19th century, redundant warships were used as moored hospitals for seamen.
United States Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort in 2009.
Tangier circa 1670. Hospital ships were used during the evacuation of the port in the 1680s.
HMS Melbourne, the first modern hospital ship, served during the Second Opium War. Excerpt from The Illustrated London News about the ship (click to read).
RMS Mauretania as hospital ship HMHS Mauretania during World War I.