Boat-Ed's Top 10 Most Famous Ships in History
Before trains, planes, or automobiles, boating was the way to get where you wanted to go. Sailing was the sole method for transporting goods and supplies around the world.
During wartime, ships were also an integral part of strategy and tactics. As you can guess, that means there were quite a lot of ships on the water – but out of all those, some stand out as particularly significant.
Keep reading to learn about ten of the most famous ships in history. We'll also mention how you can stay safe whether you're on a big, famous ship or your own personal vessel!
1. The Santa Maria
"In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue..."
The Santa Maria, a clumsy, complicated vessel, famously transported Christopher Columbus from Spain to the "New World" in 1492. That same year, the ship ran aground on Christmas Day – but not all was lost.
Another ship, the Navidad, was built with its salvaged wood.
2. H.L. Hunley
The Confederate Army built the H.L. Hunley submarine during the American Civil War to sink Union Navy ships.
Ironically, it sank twice in the testing process, killing a dozen people (including its designer, Horace L. Hunley). Eventually, the submarine did manage to launch a torpedo, sinking the Housatonic and becoming the first combat submarine to sink a ship.
Afterward, the submarine unfortunately sank itself for a third and final time.
3. The Mayflower
In 1620, the Mayflower transported English Separatists and Puritans, known today as Pilgrims, to the "New World."
The Pilgrims lived on the Mayflower for a few months, but eventually, the ship made its way back to England. The Pilgrims, of course, stayed behind, establishing the first British colonies in America.
4. The USS Constitution
The USS Constitution holds the title of the longest-serving warship in history, retiring from service at 85 years old in 1882.
In its time, the ship struck fear in the hearts of the British Royal Navy and gained quite the reputation as "Old Ironsides." Even today, the ship is still intact and serves as a museum in Boston, where it takes museumgoers on a short annual cruise.
5. The Battleship USS Arizona
In 1941, the USS Arizona was destroyed by the Japanese in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack killed 1,177 crew members, including the captain, and engulfed the ship in flames that burned for days.
The ship could not be salvaged but remains in Pearl Harbor as a war memorial.
6. The Battleship USS Missouri
The surrender documents that announced the end of World War II were signed on the USS Missouri, aka "Mighty Mo," in September 1945.
If that wasn't enough to warrant a spot on our list, the ship was also used again in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.
7. The HMS Victory
The HMS Victory, used by the British Royal Navy during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, is the world's oldest commissioned warship.
Currently, it serves as the Flagship of the First Sea Lord and is also a "living" museum in England.
8. The Battleship USS Maine
In 1898, a mysterious explosion ripped the USS Maine in two while it was anchored in Havana, Cuba, killing most of its crew.
To this day, no one knows the cause of the explosion. However, at the time, it was suspected to be an act of sabotage, which sparked a short war between the U.S. and Spain.
9. The German Battleship Bismarck
The massive Bismarck, known as the most hunted ship in history, took several hits from the British Navy in 1941 before it finally sank.
It remained at the bottom of the sea until 1989 when Robert Ballard (the same man who had found the Titanic) located it.
10. The British Luxury Liner RMS Titanic
In its time, the Titanic was known as the largest ship on the sea. Considered "unsinkable," the large luxury ship went down two hours after sideswiping an iceberg.
Because of a lack of lifeboats, more than 1,500 people died in the tragedy. Robert Ballard discovered the ship's wreckage in 1985 and went on to inspire one of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Stay Safe on Any Ship In History
What do you think of this list? While plenty of famous ships are out there, we feel this is a pretty good list of top contenders.
No matter what type of boat you prefer – big or small, famous or not – we hope you stay safe on the water this season. The best way to do that is to take a boater education course to get safety certified before hitting the water.
Boat-Ed offers state-approved online courses to prepare boaters for operating any boat. You'll learn how to navigate the waters, crucial safety equipment to have on board, why you should have a float plan, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Enjoy more safe seasons on the water! Find the course for your state and start learning.
Originally published May 22, 2015. Content updated July 24, 2023.