HMS Medea explained

Seven ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Medea, or HMS Medee, after the Medea of Greek mythology, whilst another was planned:

• was a 26-gun sixth rate, originally the French . She was captured by in 1744 and was sold in 1745. She subsequently operated as the privateer .
• was a 28-gun sixth rate launched in 1778 and sold in 1795.
• HMS Medee was the 36-gun fifth rate Médée captured from the French in 1800. She was used as a prison ship from 1802 and was sold in 1805.
• HMS Medea was to have been a 32-gun fifth rate of 658 tons. She was ordered from Woolwich Dockyard in 1800 but was later cancelled.
• was a paddle sloop launched in 1833 and sold in 1867.
• was a second class cruiser launched in 1888 and sold in 1914.
• was a, originally to be the Greek Kriti. She was purchased on the ways in 1914, launched in 1915, and sold for breaking up in 1921.
• HMS Medea was an monitor, launched in 1915 as . She was renamed HMS Medea in 1925 and was sold in 1938, wrecked after parting tow to the breaker's yard 23 or 28, January 1939.