HMS Swiftsure (1804)

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

Swiftsure
History
Royal Navy EnsignUnited Kingdom
NameHMS Swiftsure
Ordered1800
BuilderHenry Adams, Bucklers Hard
Laid downFebruary 1802
Launched23 July 1804
Honours and
awards
FateSold out of the service, 1845
NotesReceiving ship from 1819
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeSwiftsure class ship of the line
Tons burthen1724 (bm)
Length173 ft (53 m) (gundeck)
Beam47 ft 6 in (14.48 m)
Depth of hold20 ft 9 in (6.32 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounder guns
  • Upper gundeck: 28 × 18-pounder guns
  • QD: 14 × 9-pounder guns
  • Fc: 4 × 9-pounder guns

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. Coincidentally the French 74-gun ship Swiftsure also took part in the battle; she had originally been a British ship that the French had captured in 1801.

This Swiftsure became a receiving ship in 1819,[1] In September 1844, she heeled over and sank at Portchester, Hampshire.[2] In November 1844, she was in use as a target ship by HMS Excellent.[3] She was sold out of the service in 1845.[1]

Barker family memorial in St Peter's Church, Edensor with reference to HMS Swiftsure and Trafalgar
  1. ^ a b c d Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p185.
  2. ^ "Naval Intelligence". The Times. No. 18727. London. 27 September 1844. col C, p. 8.
  3. ^ "Naval Intelligence". The Times. No. 18771. London. 18 November 1844. col E, p. 7.