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Hercules-class ship of the line

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Model of a 74-gun ship, 3rd rate, circa 1760. Thought to be either HMS Hercules or HMS Thunderer from 1760.
Class overview
NameHercules
Operators Royal Navy
Preceded byDublin class
Succeeded byValiant class
In service15 March 1759 - 1784
Completed2
Lost1
General characteristics
TypeShip of the line
Length
  • 166 ft 6 in (50.75 m) (gundeck)
  • 136 ft 0 in (41.45 m) (keel)
Beam46 ft 6 in (14.17 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: Hercules, Thunderer

The Hercules class ships of the line were a class of two 74-gun third rates, designed for the Royal Navy by Sir Thomas Slade.

Design

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The Hercules class ships were a development on Slade's previous two designs: the Dublin-class, and the subsequent one-off HMS Hero.

Ships

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Builder: Deptford Dockyard
Ordered: 15 July 1756
Launched: 15 March 1759
Fate: Sold out of the service, 1784
Builder: Woolwich Dockyard
Ordered: 15 July 1756
Launched: 19 March 1760
Fate: Wrecked, 1780

References

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  • Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.