Editing Template:Infobox ship begin/Usage guide (section)

===Total Ships===
For the following "Total Ships" fields, do not list the names of individual ships.  When appropriate, include dates for classes that are currently under construction.

'''Total ships planned'''
* Number of ships planned.  This field requires regular maintenance until all of the class is built.

'''Total ships on order'''
* Number of ships ordered.  This field requires regular maintenance until all of the class is built.

'''Total ships building'''
* Number of ships under construction. This field requires regular maintenance until all of the class is built.

'''Total ships completed'''
* Number of ships that have been or were built.  This field requires regular maintenance until all of the class is built.

'''Total ships cancelled'''
* Number of planned or ordered ships that were cancelled.  This field requires regular maintenance until all of the class is built.

'''Total ships active'''
* Number of ships currently operational.  This field requires regular maintenance until all of the class is retired.

'''Total ships laid up'''
* Number of ships currently non-operational (placed in reserve, etc.) but expected to return to service.

'''Total ships lost'''
* Number of ships destroyed as a result of attack or accident.
* Do not include scuttlings and other intentional sinkings here.

'''Total ships retired'''
* Number of ships currently non-operational (placed in reserve, etc.) but not expected to return to service.

'''Total ships scrapped'''
* Number of ships [[ship breaking|broken up for scrap]], intentionally sunk, or scuttled.

'''Total ships preserved'''
* Number of ships that exist as [[museum ship]]s or are similarly preserved.