Papal (Pontifical) Ships


Pontifical Navy flag

Papal ships will be referred as HHFS - His Holy Father's Ship - before ship's name.These abbreviations will distinguish same ship´s name from different nations and government warships from pivateers or privately-owned merchantmen.
The Pontifical Navy (Marina Militare Pontificia) was formed by the John VIII (875-881) and ceased to exist when the main naval base Civitavecchia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy in 1870. Untill 1815 the Navy ships were united with the Merchant Navy under supervision of Prefetto di S. Angelo as commisario del mare. In 1798 twelve the most valuable ships were taken by Napoleon to meet their fate at Aboukir on August 1st, 1798. With the return of the Pope Pius VII to Rome on May 26th, 1814 the Navy was reorganized passing under control of the Camerlengo di Santa Romana Chiesa. In 1817 a Custom Service was formed. In 1828 the Presidenza delle Armi was constituted and the navy passed under its control.


Papal Navy Characters

Sorted by type, start & end service date

Original NameGunsBuilt byShipyardStartEndTypeClass
HHFS San Paolo3017751779frigate
HHFS San Pietro3017751779frigate
HHFS San Giovanni1780corvette
HHFS San Pio1780corvette
HHFS Capitanabef 1793galley
HHFS Patronabef 1793galley
HHFS San Pietrobef 1793galley
HHFS San Andreabef 1793galley
HHFS San Petroniobef 1793galley
HHFS San Giovannibef 1793coast guard
HHFS San Piobef 1793coast guard
HHFS San Ferdinandobef 1793launch
HHFS San Francescobef 1793launch
HHFS San Luigibef 1793launch
HHFS Santa Ferminabef 1793launch
HHFS San Pietro1802c 1815brigantine
HHFS San Paolo1802c 1815brigantine
HHFS San PietroCivitavecchia1823schooner



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