Seven ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Orpheus. Orpheus was the magical father of songs in Greek mythology.
HMS Orpheus was a modified Lowestoffe class frigate launched in 1773. She was burnt in 1778 to avoid capture by the French at Rhode Island.HMS Orpheus was a 32-gun fifth-rate launched in 1780. In 1807 she was wrecked in the West Indies.HMS Orpheus was a 36-gun fifth-rate launched in 1809. She was broken up in 1819.HMS Orpheus was a 22-gun Jason-class wooden screw corvette launched in 1860. She was wrecked on the Manukau sandbars in New Zealand in 1863.HMS Orpheus was an M class destroyer launched in 1916. She was sold for scrap in 1921.HMS Orpheus was an Odin class submarine launched in 1929. She was lost with all hands off Tobruk in 1940 after being depth-charged by the Italian destroyer Turbine.HMS Orpheus was an Oberon class submarine, launched in 1959. She was paid off in 1987 and became a harbour training ship. She was sold for scrap in 1994.