Famous fictional boat names – Is your boat name on this list?
This Guest Blog was kindly submitted by Fiona Mostyn of INKMILLVINYL.CO.UK
Classic boats need classic names. Something worthy of their unique history and ability to stand the test of time. Do you know the history of your boat name? Perhaps your boat name is on this list.
Lots of famous boat names can be found in classic literature, film and television. Stories of hope, adventure, romance and endurance, which have also stood the test of time, make the perfect inspiration for naming boats. This inspiring list came from the blogging team over at Inkmill Vinyl - who make vinyl decals including lots of boat names. Have a look and see if your boat is named on the list.
Boat names from classic childhood favourites
Sirius and The Unicorn - The Adventures of Tin-Tin books by Herge always had lots of nautical adventure. Captain Haddock and Tin-Tin set sail aboard the trawler Sirius in search of the sunken 17th Century three-masted Royal Naval vessel, The Unicorn, believed to be the site of pirate Red Rackham’s treasure.
Wonkatania - The name of the ship that transports the children through the factory on an exhilarating ride in Roald Dahl’s famous novel and films. The name was based on the famous Cunard line tradition of ending ship’s names with “ania” e.g. The most famous of which was the ill-fated Lusitania, sunk by a German u-boat in 1915.
Jolly Roger - Recognised as a popular name for pirate ships, this was the name of Captain Hook’s ship in the Peter Pan stories by JM Barrie.
Swallow and Amazon - The two sailing dinghies feature in the children’s adventure series written in the 1930’s by Arthur Ransome.
The Mongolia, The Rangoon, The Carnatic, The General Grant and The Henrietta - Steamer ships featured in Around the World in 80 days. The Jules Verne classic novel where Phileas Fogg and assistant Passepartout set out to circumnavigate the globe in order to win a bet.
The Dawn Treader – From the classic children’s series the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader sees the children embark on another adventure after they discover the picture of the ship in their cousin’s home.
Black Pig – The ship of the cartoon character Captain Pugwash
Black Pearl and The Flying Dutchman - Featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean series of films.
The African Queen - The steam powered launch sails through rivers of wartime central Africa. Humphrey Bogart starred alongside Katharine Hepburn to win his only Oscar.
Argo - The argonauts are the heroes aboard the ship in Jason and the Argonauts. Based on the Greek myths. The galley ship Argo sails to the Isle of Bronze in the quest for the Golden Fleece.
New Caledonia - The millionaire’s yacht in Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe. New Caledonia was the screen name. Originally called Tara, then re-named Lovely Lady in 1958 when sold to California where she was hired for film star parties and featured in films and television. Sadly the Lovely Lady sank after taking on water in her berth in Miami in 2009.
Belafonte - The oceanographic research vessel in Wes Anderson’s cult classic film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Benthic Explorer - Support ship in the sci-fi classic The Abyss
HMS Surprise and Acheron – Russell Crowe played captain of the HMS Surprise in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World and Acheron was the French Navy frigate that he was ordered to pursue.
Jenny - Shrimping Trawler that belonged to Forrest Gump. Forrest used a well followed formula for naming his shrimp boat - calling it after the love of his life.
The Sea Queen – The evil Lex Luthor’s yacht in Superman Returns.
Orca – The fishing boat used by police captain Quint to hunt for Jaws.
HMS Shag at Sea – Owned by who else but Austin Powers in Goldmember.
Saracen – The yacht in the psychological thriller Dead Calm.
Boats from classic literature
The Hispaniola – The ship of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. A 19th Century adventure story featuring Long John Silver.
Pequod - The whaling ship from Moby Dick, regarded as perhaps the all-time classic of sea-faring tales.
The Covenant – The brig upon which the main character David is taken in the Robert Louis Stephenson story Kidnapped.
HMS Thunderchild – Steamer ship and last hope of those fleeing the aliens in the futuristic tale of the War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, published in 1897 the story became popular again when a musical version was created for radio in 1978. It has since become one of the best selling albums of all time.
Boats from television
Pacific Princess – A Princess Line Cruiser used to film the popular 1970’s television show Love Boat
From Game of Thrones which house are you for Lannister or Baratheon? Fury and Black Betha – Baratheon. The Royal Fleet of the Lannisters has ships named after the family including Brave Joffrey and Sweet Cersei.
Gone Fission – Yacht of the nuclear power plant owner and Homer Simpson’s Employer Mr Burns.
Was your boat name on the list? Leave us a comment on Facebook if we’ve missed out any of your favourites.
