Name the top five war ships in naval history

The Hunley was one of the first submarines in combat but the first was the Turtle used in the Revolutionary War. New York Harbor was under blockade by the British Royal Navy and the Turtle Tried to attack the Flag ship HMS Eagle but it failed since the bottom of Eagle was covered by iron plates. the charge that was going to be attached to Eagle was detonated in the harbor and the British fearful of a underwater attack did break the blockade so it was also a success at the same time

Don't know exactly how to rate the "top five" warships, as I am as interested in the men who sailed them and the historic situations in which they operated, as I am in the machines themselves - probably more so.  But it is hard to imagine a list of the top five warships of all time without it including CV-6, the USS Enterprise.  She stood-to in the PTO from start to finish, and had herself in the thick of it all the way, retiring only long enough to give her wounds a lick or two before burrowing right back into it.  It is hard to believe she got scrapped for her steel - a completely sad and totally unfitting end for such a tried and true warrior.

I would add HMS Victory, as it is also difficult to imagine such a list without her on it as well.  Other than that, I'm not sure how to determine.

I think that  listing five leaves out several imortant ships in history. Too many to list from Destroyers to Flat Tops but here's mine:

1. CSS Hunley.  Firt submarine used in combat. Although it met a tragic end, it was the beginning of

                          things to come for the submarine service.

2. CSS Monitor. A different concept or armor in fighting ships, sinking two wooden Federal ships.

3. HMS Victory. Saved England from a seaborne invasion.

4. Bismarck. Germany's massive battleship that squared off against a large Royal Navy Battle

                    Battle Group and almost won.

5. USS Missouri. Earned 11 Battle Stars in WWII, Korea and The Gulf. Site where Japan signed

                           the surrender document.

I will be lazy and just add one to the list. The sailing frigates that were used by the British and the French in the period around the Napoleonic wars were fantastic ships and performed many tasks that the larger ships of the line were unable to do.

Chris

jadgpanther302

That one ship that one all those battles...I think Jefferson Starship!

HMS Victory, the Trafalgar one. Represents all First rates.

Any of the type 7 u-boats. As a class, they defined naval warfare for a period of time.

USS Missouri because that was  the last and best battleship class that served.

IJN Yamato because if the USN had three of them, it would have been a fight...but only if protected by carriers....

The Essex class carrier. Superior in design, by the fact that they were converted and useful for 30 years,; numerous; twelve were in service by mid 1945.

That one ship that one all those battles...I think Jefferson Starship!

Zuiho...

The replies seem very heavily aimed at 20th Century ships.  There were warships that existed before 20th Century- lots of them!

In addition to the Victory, already mentioned, I'd have to mention Constitution, Warrior, Gloire, British standard 74s, Sovereign  of the Seas (warship, not clipper).

I suspect the ranking in terms of effectiveness would go very much by date.  Newer is better, more powerful.

1. Yamoto

2. Hms dreadnought

3. Bismark

4. Uss enterprise

5. Hms victory

Honorable mention: uss nautilus

Why not post in Ships?

1. Iowa Class - Fast Battleship; United States

2. Nimitz Class - Aircraft Carrier; United States

3. Queen Elizabeth Class - Battleship; Great Britain

4. Ticonderoga Class - Missile Cruiser; United States

5. Fletcher Class - Destroyer; United States