HMS Defence (1763)
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HMS Defence was a 3rd rate ship of the line of 74 guns, built at Plymouth (Devonport) dockyard in 1763 for the Royal Navy. She was one of the most famous ships of the period, taking part in several of the most important naval battles of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars.
During the American War of Independence, Defence served with the Channel fleet, seeing action at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in 1780. She was sent out to India in early 1782 as part of a squadron of five ships under Commodore Sir Richard Bickerton, arriving too late for the battles of that year. But she took part in the last battle of the war, at Cuddalore in 1783. She returned to England at the end of 1785.
She was then laid up during the years of peace until the French Revolution.
Recommissioned into the Channel Fleet under Captain James Gambier, she fought at the Glorious First of June in 1794, distinguishing herself in action against the Mucius and the Tourville and becoming one of only two British ships to be completely dismasted in the battle. After repairs, she was sent to the Mediterranean, joining Admiral Hotham's in time to take part in the Battle of Hyeres in July.
In 1798 she returned to the Mediterranean under Captain John Peyton, taking part in the Battle of the Nile in August.
In 1801, she sailed to the Baltic with Admiral Hyde Parker's fleet. She was present at the Battle of Copenhagen (1801), but did not see action as she was part of the reserve under Parker.
In 1805 she saw action again at the Battle of Trafalgar, where, under Captain George Johnstone Hope she captured the San Ildefonso and fought the Berwick, suffering 36 casualties.
She ran aground on 24 December 1811 off the west coast of Jutland, Denmark, and all but five of crew perished. The St. George was lost in the same storm.
