HMS Leith

HMS Leith was a British Royal Navy warship that served under that name in several iterations. The name typically represents a vessel associated with the Scottish port of Leith. Specific vessels bearing the name include:

• HMS Leith (1703): A 32-gun fifth-rate frigate launched in 1703 and wrecked in 1709.

• HMS Leith (1745): A 44-gun fifth-rate frigate launched in 1745 and sold in 1763.

• HMS Leith (1757): A storeship purchased in 1757 and sold in 1770.

• HMS Leith (1776): A 14-gun sloop launched in 1776 and wrecked in 1778.

• HMS Leith (L39): A Grimsby-class sloop launched in 1934. She saw service during World War II and was scrapped in 1958. She is perhaps the most well-known ship to bear the name. Her wartime service included anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort duties.

The existence of multiple ships bearing the same name over time is a common practice in naval traditions, allowing the Royal Navy to honour historical connections or geographical locations. Ships named "Leith" specifically commemorate the port of Leith, a significant historical and contemporary harbour in Scotland.