HMS Friday
Encyclopedia
HMS Friday is an urban legend
concerning a disastrous attempt by the Royal Navy
to dispel the superstition against sailing on a Friday. While widely circulated, the story is in fact untrue; moreover, there was never a ship named HMS Friday.
The details of the story vary, but it usually follows this form:
This story, in numerous variations, is frequently recounted, often as fact.
In fact, there has never been any Royal Navy ship of that name. It is unclear where the story originated; however, it seems to have gained in popularity after its recounting by comedian Dave Allen
on his BBC
television show Dave Allen at Large, first broadcast in the 1970s.
Urban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
concerning a disastrous attempt by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
to dispel the superstition against sailing on a Friday. While widely circulated, the story is in fact untrue; moreover, there was never a ship named HMS Friday.
The details of the story vary, but it usually follows this form:
Sometime in the 19th century, the Royal Navy attempted to finally dispel the old superstition among sailors that beginning a voyage on a Friday was certain to bring bad luck. To demonstrate the falseness of this belief, they decided to commission a ship named HMS Friday. Her keel was laid on a Friday, she was launched on a Friday, and she set sail on her maiden voyage on a Friday, under the command of a Captain James Friday. She was never seen or heard from again.
This story, in numerous variations, is frequently recounted, often as fact.
In fact, there has never been any Royal Navy ship of that name. It is unclear where the story originated; however, it seems to have gained in popularity after its recounting by comedian Dave Allen
Dave Allen (comedian)
David Tynan O'Mahoney , better known as Dave Allen, was an Irish comedian, very popular in Great Britain, Australia, and Canada in the 1960s and 1970s. He also became known in the United States through repeats of his shows on public television. His career had a major resurgence during the late...
on his BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television show Dave Allen at Large, first broadcast in the 1970s.