The names speak for themselves: Ascension, Assail, Attack. Unbeaten, Unbending, Undaunted. Empire, Indefatigable, Espoir. Dreadnought. Sans Pareil. Victory. For over two hundred years, from 1700 until World War II, Britain regulated and largely ruled the world, through an uncontested control of the seas. Neither shy nor embarrassed, the British frankly proclaimed their confidence and ambition in the names of their imperial ships: Dominion, Dictator, Destiny. Any challenge risked an encounter with HMS Devastation. They were Indomitable, Invincible, Irresistible. And Inflexible, Impregnable, even Insolent. Reveling in self-assurance, conceding nothing, free of doubt, above all intimidating. It seems, now, so vain. But they had guts. The sheer nerve of it!

Herewith, the Best British Ship Names

Adamant
Adroit
Adversary
Affray
Aggressor
Agile
Alacrity
Ambush
Answer
Antagonist
Arrogant
Asp
Assault
Assiduous
Astute
Audacious
Awe
Badger
Blessing
Brilliant
Bruiser
Bulwark
Bustler
Busy
Ca Ira
Careful
Challenger
Chance
Charger
Chasseur
Chivalrous
Cobra
Colossus
Combatant
Combustion
Comet
Conflagration
Confounder
Conquerant
Conquestador
Convolvulus
Courageux
Counterguard
Convulsion
Crash
Crusader
Dagger
Dapper
Daring
Dart
Dasher
Defiance
Delight
Despatch
Desperante
Destiny
Destruction
Determinee
Devastation
Dextrous
Dictator
Disdain
Dreadful
Due Repulse
Engageante
Escapade
Espion
Espoir
Explosion
Extravagant
Ferret
Fierce
Firm
Force
Formidable
Forte
Fortitude
Fulminate
Furieuse
Fury
Gadfly
Gauntlet
Genereux
Gentille
Gleaner
Gloire
Gnat
Grace Dieu
Grappler
Growler
Hardy
Harrier
Haughty
Heartsease
Hearty
Heir Apparent
Hostile
Hound
Ignition
Imperieuse
Impeteux
Implacable
Impregnable
Impulsive
Incendiary
Indefatigable
Indignant
Indomitable
Inflexible
Insolent
Intelligence
Intrepid
Inveterate
Invincible
Irresistible
Jalouse
Janus
Javelin
Jolly
Jonquil
Jubilant
Juste
L'Abondance
L'Impassable
Lightning
Little Charity
Lively
Loosestrife
Loyal
Magicienne
Magnanime
Magnificent
Malice
Mandate
Matchless
Mindful
Mischief
Monsieur
Mordaunt
Nemesis
Nettle
Nimble
Noble
Nomad
Nonpareil
Nonsuch
Obdurate
Odin
Onslaught
Opportune
Oracle
Paradox
Paramour
Patrician
Pelter
Persistent
Petard
Petulant
Piercer
Pincher
Pique
Plantagenet
Porcupine
Pouncer
Prohibition
Prompte
Prospero
Protector
Prudent
Puck
Puissant
Puncher
Pursuer
Qu'appelle
Quest
Quickmatch
Quittance
Rapid
Ready
Redoubt
Relentless
Renown
Repulse
Resolute
Restless
Revenge
Rigorous
Robust
Rubble
Sanguine
Savage
Scourge
Sentinel
Sickle
Skirmisher
Smiter
Snapper
Spanker
Spikenard
Spiteful
Sprightly
Stalwart
Staunch
Steadfast
Stour
Striker
Stronghold
Stubborn
Sturdy
Subtle
Superb
Swiftsure
Tactician
Tenacious
Terrible
Thrasher
Thruster
Thrasher
Thruster
Tiptoe
Tireless
Tormentor
Torrent
Torrid
Towser
Trenchant
Truant
Truculent
Truncheon
Tumult
Turbulent
Tyrant
Ultimatum
Unbeaten
Unbending
Unbridled
Unbroken
Undaunted
Unruffled
Unruly
Unshaken
Unsparing
Unswerving
Untamed
Untiring
Upholder
Uproar
Upshot
Urgent
Usurper
Utile
Utmost
Valorous
Vanquisher
Vehement
Vendetta
Venerable
Vengeance
Venomous
Versatile
Vigilant
Vindictive
Violent
Vivid
Wrangler
Zealous
Zest