The Ajax, a Man of War, sailing into Portsmouth Harbour, with a View of Southsea Castle
History
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
NameHMS Ajax
Ordered4 December 1762
BuilderPortsmouth Dockyard
Launched23 December 1767
FateSold out of the service, 1785
Notes
General characteristics [1]
Class and type74-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen1615
Length167 ft 10 in (51.16 m) (gundeck)
Beam47 ft 5 in (14.45 m)
Depth of hold20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • 74 guns:
  • Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounders
  • Upper gundeck: 28 × 18-pounders
  • Quarterdeck: 14 × 9-pounders
  • Forecastle: 4 × 9-pounders

HMS Ajax was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Thomas Bucknall at Portsmouth Dockyard and launched on 23 December 1767. She was designed by William Bateley, and was the only ship built to her draught.[1] She had a crew of 600 men.[2]

She saw extensive action in the War of American Independence, taking part in the Battles of Cape St. Vincent, the Chesapeake, St. Kitts and the Saintes.

She was driven ashore and damaged at Saint Lucia in the Great Hurricane of 1780[3] but was recovered.

On 12 April 1782 she saw action against the French fleet at the Battle of the Saintes under command of Captain Nicholas Charrington.[4]

She was sold in 1785.[1]

Commanders of note

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Lavery, Ships of the Line, vol. 1, p. 177.
  2. ↑ "British Third Rate ship of the line 'Ajax' (1767)".
  3. ↑ "The Marine List". New Lloyd's List (1228): 78 v. 29 December 1780.
  4. ↑ Famous Fighters of the Fleet, Edward Fraser, 1904, p.128

References

  • 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.
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