HMS Elephant (1786)
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| Career (UK) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | HMS Elephant |
| Ordered: | 27 December 1781 |
| Builder: | George Parsons, Bursledon |
| Laid down: | February 1783 |
| Launched: | 24 August 1786 |
| Honours and awards: |
Participated in: |
| Fate: | Broken up, 1830 |
| Notes: | 58-gun fourth rate from 1818 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Arrogant class ship of the line |
| Tons burthen: | 1604 tons (1629.7 tonnes) |
| Length: | 168 ft (51 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam: | 46 ft 9 in (14.2 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 19 ft 9 in (6.0 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Full rigged ship |
| Armament: |
74 guns:
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HMS Elephant was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was built by George Parsons in Bursledon, Hampshire, and launched on August 24, 1786.
In late November 1790 the ship narrowly avoided destruction when lightning struck her whilst whe was in Portsmouth harbor. The main topmast exploded but did not plunge through the quarterdeck as it was still held by the toprope.
In 1801 Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson chose Elephant as his flagship during the Battle of Copenhagen due to its suitability for the shallow waters 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.
Elephant was reduced to a 58-gun fourth-rate in 1818, and broken up in 1830.
[edit] References
- 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.
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