The term has its origin in Britain's Royal Navy, which until the late 19th century housed training and other support facilities in hulks--old wooden ships of the line--moored in ports as receiving ships, depot ships, or floating barracks.
The term has its origin in Britain's Royal Navy after it's use of Diamond Rock, off Martinique, as a'sloop of war' to harass the French. Until the late 19th century housed training and other support facilities in hulks--old wooden ships of the line--moored in ports as receiving ships, depot ships, or floating barracks.