HMS Dido

HMS Dido was the name of several ships of the British Royal Navy, named after the mythological Queen Dido of Carthage. Among the most notable are:

• HMS Dido (1784): A 28-gun sixth-rate frigate launched in 1784. She served during the French Revolutionary Wars and was wrecked in 1795.

• HMS Dido (1869): A Dido-class corvette launched in 1869. She was a screw-propelled vessel and saw service in various parts of the world. She was sold in 1906.

• HMS Dido (37): The lead ship of the Dido-class light cruisers. Launched in 1939, she served extensively during World War II, earning numerous battle honours in the Mediterranean and other theatres. She was sold for scrap in 1957. The Dido-class cruisers were characterized by their multiple 5.25-inch dual-purpose guns.

The name "HMS Dido" represents a historical continuity within the Royal Navy, reflecting the tradition of reusing successful or significant ship names. Each ship named Dido has contributed to the history and operational capabilities of the Royal Navy during its respective period of service.