Courageux-class ship of the line

The shipwreck of the Minotaur, oil on canvas, by J. M. W. Turner
Class overview
NameCourageux
Operators Royal Navy
Preceded byGanges class
Succeeded byMars class
In service21 January 1783 - 1848
Completed8
Lost2
General characteristics
TypeShip of the line
Length
  • Standard:
  • 172 ft 3 in (52.5 m) (gundeck)
  • 140 ft 5¼ in (42.8 m) (keel)
  • Lengthened:
  • 172 ft 3½ in (52.5 m) (gundeck)
  • 140 ft 5¼ in (42.8 m) (keel)
  • Modified:
  • 180 ft (54.9 m) (gundeck)
  • 147 ft 7 in (45 m) (keel)
Beam
  • Standard, Lengthened:
  • 47 ft 9 in (14.6 m)
  • Modified:
  • 48 ft ¾ in (14.6 m)
PropulsionSails
Armament
  • 74 guns:
  • Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounders
  • Upper gundeck: 28 × 18-pounders
  • Quarterdeck: 14 × 9-pounders
  • Forecastle: 4 × 9-pounders
NotesShips in class include: Carnatic, Colossus, Leviathan, Minotaur, Aboukir, Bombay, Blake, San Domingo

The Courageux-class ships of the line were a class of six 74-gun third rates of the Royal Navy. Their design was a direct copy of the French ship Courageux, captured in 1761 by HMS Bellona. This class of ship is sometimes referred to as the Leviathan class. A further two ships of the class were built to a slightly lengthened version of the Courageux draught. A final two ships were ordered to a third modification of the draught.