HMS Ajax was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Thomas Bucknall at Portsmouth Dockyard and launched on 23 December 1767. She was designed by William Bateley, and was the only ship built to her draught.^[1] She had a crew of 600 men.^[2]

The Ajax, a Man of War, sailing into Portsmouth Harbour, with a View of Southsea Castle
History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Ajax
Ordered	4 December 1762
Builder	Portsmouth Dockyard
Launched	23 December 1767
Fate	Sold out of the service, 1785
Notes	Participated in: Battle of Cape St. Vincent Battle of the Chesapeake Battle of St. Kitts Battle of the Saintes
General characteristics [1]
Class and type	74-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	1615
Length	167 ft 10 in (51.16 m) (gundeck)
Beam	47 ft 5 in (14.45 m)
Depth of hold	20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	74 guns: Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounders Upper gundeck: 28 × 18-pounders Quarterdeck: 14 × 9-pounders Forecastle: 4 × 9-pounders

She saw extensive action in the War of American Independence, taking part in the Battles of Cape St. Vincent, the Chesapeake, St. Kitts and the Saintes.^{[citation needed]}

She was driven ashore and damaged at Saint Lucia in the Great Hurricane of 1780^[3] but was recovered.

On 12 April 1782 she saw action against the French fleet at the Battle of the Saintes under command of Captain Nicholas Charrington.^[4]

She was sold in 1785.^[1]