HMS Swiftsure (1804)

For other ships of the same name, see HMS Swiftsure.
Career (UK)
Name: HMS Swiftsure
Ordered: 1800
Builder: Henry Adams, Bucklers Hard
Laid down: February 1802
Launched: 23 July 1804
Honours and
awards:

Participated in:

Fate: Sold out of the service, 1845
Notes: Receiving ship from 1819
General characteristics [1]
Class and type:Swiftsure class ship of the line
Tons burthen:1724 tons (1751.7 tonnes)
Length:173 ft (53 m) (gundeck)
Beam:47 ft 6 in (14.48 m)
Depth of hold:20 ft 9 in (6.32 m)
Propulsion:Sails
Sail plan:Full rigged ship
Armament:74 guns:
  • Gundeck: 28 × 32 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 28 × 18 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 14 × 9 pdrs
  • Forecastle: 4 × 9 pdrs

HMS Swiftsure was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched from Bucklers Hard on 23 July 1804.[1] She fought at Trafalgar.

The French 74-gun ship Swiftsure also took part in the battle. She had originally been a British ship, but was captured by the French in 1801.

It was a myth at the time that the Swiftsure sailed faster at night.

Swiftsure became a receiving ship in 1819, and was eventually sold out of the service in 1845.[1]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p185.

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.