HMS Swiftsure (1804)

Swiftsure
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Swiftsure
Ordered1800
BuilderHenry Adams, Bucklers Hard
Laid downFebruary 1802
Launched23 July 1804
Honours &
awards
FateSold out of the service, 1845
NotesReceiving ship from 1819
General characteristics [1]
Class & typeSwiftsure class ship of the line
Tons burthen1724 (bm)
Length173 ft (53 m) (gundeck)
Beam47 ft 6 in (14.48 m)
Depth of hold20 ft 9 in (6.32 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounder guns
  • Upper gundeck: 28 × 18-pounder guns
  • QD: 14 × 9-pounder guns
  • Fc: 4 × 9-pounder guns

HMS Swiftsure was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched from Bucklers Hard on 23 July 1804.[1]

She fought at Trafalgar. Coincidentally the French 74-gun ship Swiftsure also took part in the battle; she had originally been a British ship that the French had captured in 1801.

This Swiftsure became a receiving ship in 1819,[1] In September 1844, she heeled over and sank at Portchester, Hampshire.[2] In November 1844, she was in use as a target ship by HMS Excellent.[3] She was sold out of the service in 1845.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Lavery, Ships of the Line, vol. 1, p. 185.
  2. ^ "Naval Intelligence". The Times. No. 18727. London. 27 September 1844. col C, p. 8.
  3. ^ "Naval Intelligence". The Times. No. 18771. London. 18 November 1844. col E, p. 7.

References

  • Lavery, Brian (1983) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650–1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.