HMS Monarch (1747)

Drawings of the sterns of two French 74-gun warships captured at Cape Finisterre in October 1747. On the left is Terrible, and on the right, Monarque
History
French Royal Navy EnsignFrance
NameMonarque
BuilderBrest
Laid downJanuary 1745
LaunchedMarch 1747
CompletedJuly 1747
CapturedBy the Royal Navy on 14 October 1747
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
NameHMS Monarch
BuilderBrest Dockyard
Laid downJanuary 1745
LaunchedMarch 1747
CompletedJuly 1747
Acquired14 October 1747 (by Britain)
FateSold for breaking up on 25 November 1760
General characteristics
Class and type74-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen1,776 17/94 bm
Length
  • 174 ft 10 in (53.3 m) (overall)
  • 149 ft 10 in (45.7 m) (keel)
Beam47 ft 2.5 in (14.4 m)
Depth of hold20 ft 1.5 in (6.13 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement650
Armament
  • Lower deck: 28 × 32-pdrs
  • Upper deck: 30 × 18-pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 10 × 9-pdrs
  • Forecastle: 6 × 9-pdrs

HMS Monarch was originally the 74-gun ship of the line Monarque of the French Navy launched in March 1747. Captured on 14 October 1747, she was taken into Royal Navy service as the third rate HMS Monarch.

Monarque was built during the War of the Austrian Succession at Brest to a design by Blaise Ollivier, but lasted only a few months in French service. She was captured by the British just three months after being completed, one of several prizes taken by Sir Edward Hawke's fleet at the Battle of Cape Finisterre. Brought into the Royal Navy, she was used for the rest of the War of the Austrian Succession as a guardship and to carry troops. She saw service during the Seven Years' War, forming part of fleets sent to North America and the Mediterranean under Hawke, Boscawen and Osborn, and being commanded at one stage by future admiral George Rodney.

Monarch was the scene of the execution of Admiral Sir John Byng, who had been sentenced to death for failing to do his utmost during the Battle of Minorca (1756), and was shot on Monarch's quarterdeck on 14 March 1757. Monarch went out to the Mediterranean during the last years of the Seven Years' War, and played a role in the British victory at the Battle of Cartagena. She returned home and was reduced to harbour service, and was sold for breaking up in 1760.