7 JUNE 1913, Page 17

NAMES FOR H.M. SHIPS.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—In your leading notes of last week you suggest names of distinguished literary men for ships to belong to a " Shakespeare class." But would it not be well to utilize the names of some of Shakespeare's own heroines—thus, ' Cordelia,' Desdemona," Miranda," Portia," Imogen,' 6 Ophelia," Cressida," Juliet," Sylvia,' &c. (` Perdita ' and ' Titania' would both be too ominous) ?—I am, Sir, &c., G. J. N.