HMS Cape

HMS Cape was a mighty galleon, constructed by the grandfather of the ship builder Master Hawkins. Although widely considered the best and most durable vessel of its time, it sank in a storm off the Cape of Heroes southeast of the Shrine of Honor some time prior to the events related in Ultima IV.

In Ultima IV, the Stranger could retrieve the magical wheel of the HMS Cape from the seabed. When used on a ship, it enhanced that vessel's durability. This made the wheel very useful for defeating the pirate fleet anchored in the western bay of the Isle of the Avatar when the Stranger had to push past this blockade to reach the Abyss.

In Ultima V, the "lost" construction plans for the HMS Cape could be found in the storeroom of Master Hawkins' shop. Much like the wheel from the previous game, it could be used on a frigate to improve its capabilities, but this time the plans improved the ship's rigging to double sailing speed.

Trivia

 * Although both the wheel and the plans are extremely useful items, neither are essential for completing Ultima IV or Ultima V.