A question about HMS! Help!

There is one question that bothers me recently, and i simply cannot find an answer! I am sure one will be given by some of you guys, seeing that you have a lot of knowledge about these things...
What does HMS mean???

Perhaps this is a stupid question, but remember: "There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers."

Oh, and, this question also applies to USS, KMS, HNMS, etc. (i can figure out everything except the last S. This is not a "ship", isn't it?)

Anyone? I would really appreciate it!!

[Greg Kubasek]

HMS = Her/His Magesty's Service

[Adam H]

Well....

In the naval sense HMS stands for His/Her Majesty's SHIP

Similarly:

HMCS = Her Majesty's Canadian Ship
HMAS = " " Australian "

etc, etc,

Cheers!

Adam

[SHEARING-CROSS]

Hiya ...may be wrong here but can HMS also stand for his / her majesties station ie a shore based camp or are camps also called ships ?

regards Michael

Ah, "His Majesties"... Thank you, guys!


So, that means the following: HMS - His\Her Majesties Ship
USS - United States Ship
KMS - Kriegsmarine Ship
Am I right?

As far as i can tell, HMS cannot mean HM's station or service, because you can see HMS only in front of the name of a British capital ship...

[Tony Farrell]

In the Royal Navy, shore establisments are referred to as 'ships'. They usually have dual identity, e.g. RNAS (Royal Naval Air Station) Yeovilton is also HMS Heron. RNAS Lee-on-Solent is also HMS Daedalus, and RNAS Culdrose is also HMS Seahawk.

OHMS means 'On Her Majesty's Service'. This is used on official service & governmental stationary - predominantly envelopes.