HMS Ajax
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Eight ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Ajax after the Greek hero Ajax the Great:
- The first Ajax, launched in 1765, was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line broken up sold in 1785.
- The second Ajax, launched in 1798, was another 74-gun third-rate that fought at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and was burned in 1807.
- The third Ajax, launched in 1809, was another 74-gun third-rate. She was converted to screw propulsion in 1846 and broken up in 1864.
- The fourth Vanguard, launched in 1835, was renamed Ajax in 1867.
- The fifth Ajax, launched in 1880, was the lead ship of her class of ironclad battleships. She was sold in 1904.
- The sixth Ajax, launched in 1912, was a King George V-class battleship that served in World War I and was broken up in 1926.
- The seventh Ajax (22), launched in 1934, was a Leander-class light cruiser that served in World War II, and was broken up in 1949.
- The eighth Ajax (F114), launched in 1962, was a Leander-class frigate, broken up in 1988.