HMS Elephant (1786)

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HMS Elephant was third-rate ship of the line with 2 gun decks and a complement of 74 guns. Length: 168 feet Across the beam: 47 feet

This ship was built by George Parsons in Bursledon, Hampshire and launched on August 24th 1786.

In late November 1790 the ship narrowly avoided destruction when it was struck by lightning while in Portsmouth Harbour. The mainmast exploded but did not plunge through the quarterdeck as it was still held by the toprope.

In 1801 Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson chose it as his flagship during the Battle of Copenhagen due to its suitability for the shallow waters that prevailed there. It was on this ship that he is said to have put his telescope to his blind eye and claimed not to be able to see a signal ordering him to withdraw.

HMS Elephant was reduced to a 58-gun fourth-rate in 1818, and broken up in 1830.