Near-field　underwater　explosions　generate　complex　load　forms　and　cause　destructive　strikes　on　ships.　To　investigate　the　damage　characteristics　of　ships　under　the　combined　effect　of　multiple　loads,　local　and　overall　damage　modes　were　first　investigated　through　the　combination　of　experimental　tests　and　numerical　simulation.　Then　a　series　of　numerical　simulations　of　full-scale　ships　subjected　to　near-field　underwater　explosions　with　different　stand-off　distances,　equivalents,　and　detonation　positions　were　carried　out.　The　damage　effects　of　shock　wave,　bubble　pulsation,　after　flow,　and　water　jet　loads　on　ships　were　analyzed.　The　results　show　that　the　combined　effects　of　different　loads　lead　to　different　damage　modes.　Shock　waves　and　after　flow　loads　are　the　main　cause　of　local　damage　and　hogging　damage,　while　pressure　difference　and　bubble　adsorption　are　the　main　reasons　for　the　hogging　damage.　Finally,　a　criterion　was　proposed　to　determine　the　damage　modes　of　ships　under　near-field　underwater　explosions.