Five ships and one shore establishment of the Royal Navy have been named HMS President, after the office of president meaning "one who presides over an assembly". In the case of the first two British ships, the name may have applied to the Lord President of the Privy Council.

This ship-name lapsed from 1660 to 1806, when it was revived by the capture of the French frigate Président, and then perpetuated by the 1815 capture of the American super-frigate USS President. These captures were commemorated by a new *HMS President, which survived from 1829 till 1903, and which passed the name to a series of Presidents of which three survive to this day.

Battle honours

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See also

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