HMS Audacious (1785)

Summary

HMS Audacious was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 23 July 1785 at Rotherhithe.[1] She was the first ship to bear the name.

Audacious
History
Great Britain
NameHMS Audacious
BuilderRandall, Rotherhithe
Laid downAugust 1783
Launched23 July 1785
FateBroken up, August 1815
Notes
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeArrogant-class ship of the line
Tons burthen1624 bm
Length168 ft (51 m) (gundeck)
Beam46 ft 9 in (14.25 m)
Depth of hold19 ft 9 in (6.02 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • 74 guns:
  • Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounders
  • Upper gundeck: 28 × 18-pounders
  • Quarterdeck: 14 × 9-pounders
  • Forecastle: 4 × 9-pounders

She was among the group of ships that dismasted the French three-decker Révolutionnaire before the Glorious First of June. She also took part in the Battle of the Nile, under Captain Davidge Gould, where she engaged the French ship Conquérant and helped to force her surrender.

She was finally broken up in August 1815.[1]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c Lavery, Ships of the Line, vol. 1, p. 180.

References edit

  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
  • Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.

External links edit

  •   Media related to HMS Audacious (ship, 1785) at Wikimedia Commons