HMS Trincomalee

HMS Trincomalee is a British Royal Navy frigate in Hartlepool, England, featuring three masts, four decks and timber construction with traditional sail rigging. She rests in a dedicated dock at Hartlepool Marina and visitors board via gangways leading onto the main deck.

The warship was built in Bombay in 1817 from Malabar teak and served on many oceans as patrol and combat vessel. In 1860 she was converted into a training ship and from 1986 underwent restoration in her current dock.

Crew members in period uniform demonstrate knot work, rigging repair and canvas sewing aboard the vessel throughout opening hours. Cannon demonstrations take place regularly so visitors can hear the loud report and smell the gunpowder smoke of naval warfare.

The vessel opens Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM with longer hours during school holidays. The decks feature steep ladders and low doorways so good mobility is helpful for exploring below.

This frigate is the oldest floating warship in Britain and the last surviving Royal Navy vessel built in India. She carries Malabar teak that shows almost no splitting or rot after two centuries.

Location: Hartlepool

Inception: January 1, 1817

Length: 54.86 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Part of: National Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool

Website: https://nmrn.org.uk/visit-us/hartlepool/hms-trincomalee

GPS coordinates: 54.69030,-1.20667

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:45