HMS Alexander (1778)

Launch of HMS Alexander at Deptford in 1778 (BHC1875), by John Cleveley the Younger (NMM) - HMS Alexander is the ship still on the slipway, centre background
History
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
NameHMS Alexander
Ordered21 July 1773
BuilderDeptford Dockyard
Laid down6 April 1774
Launched8 October 1778
Captured6 November 1794, by French Navy
French Navy EnsignFrance
NameAlexandre
Acquired6 November 1794
Captured22 June 1795, by Royal Navy
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
NameHMS Alexander
Acquired22 June 1795
Honours and
awards
FateBroken up, 1819
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeAlfred-class ship of the line
TypeThird rate
Tons burthen1621 (bm)
Length169 ft (52 m) (gundeck)
Beam47 ft 2 in (14.38 m)
Depth of hold20 ft (6.1 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament

HMS Alexander was a 74-gun third-rate of the Royal Navy. She was launched at Deptford Dockyard on 8 October 1778.[2] During her career she was captured by the French, and later recaptured by the British. She fought at the Nile in 1798, and was broken up in 1819. She was named after Alexander the Great.

  1. ^ "No. 21077". The London Gazette. 15 March 1850. pp. 791–792.
  2. ^ a b Lavery, Ships of the Line, vol. 1, p. 180.