The first 'HMS ''Vanguard''', of the British
Royal Navy was a 32-gun
galleon launched in 1586 from
Woolwich. She played a key part in the action against the
Spanish Armada in 1588. She was commanded by
Martin Frobisher in 1594 and by Sir
Robert Mansell in
1596. During actions against
Algerian pirates ''Vanguard'' flew the flag of Sir
Richard Hawkins in 1620. The ship was dismantled in 1599 and again in 1615 and rebuilt, but in 1630 she was broken up.
See
HMS ''Vanguard'' for other ships of this name.
General characteristics
★ Displacement: 500 tons