HMS Edgar (1779)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Edgar.

HMS Edgar in the Downs circa 1810
History
Great Britain
NameHMS Edgar
Ordered25 August 1774
BuilderWoolwich Dockyard
Laid down26 August 1776
Launched30 June 1779
RenamedHMS Retribution, 1815
Honours and
awards
FateBroken up, 1835
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeArrogant-class ship of the line
Tons burthen1,60993⁄94 (bm)
Length168 ft (51 m) (gundeck)
Beam46 ft 9 in (14.25 m)
Depth of hold19 ft 9 in (6.02 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • 74 guns:
  • Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounder guns
  • Upper gundeck: 28 × 18-pounder guns
  • Quarterdeck: 14 × 9-pounder guns
  • Forecastle: 4 × 9-pounder guns

HMS Edgar was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, that saw service in the American Revolutionary, French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Launched in 1779, she fought in the battles of Cape St Vincent (in 1780) and Copenhagen (in 1801), two of the major naval engagements of the wars.

Edgar also saw service as flagship to two different admirals, and was the scene of a mutiny in 1808. After the end of her active career, she was employed as a prison ship before her 56-year life came to an end in 1835, when she was ordered to be broken up.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Mayo 1897, Vol. 2, p.304 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Lavery, The Ship of the Line – Volume 1, p180.