Canada class ship of the line

HMS Captain capturing the San Nicolas and the San Josef at the Battle of Cape St Vincent, 14 February 1797
Class overview
Name:	Canada
Operators:	Royal Navy
Preceded by:	Ramillies class
Succeeded by:	Albion class
In service:	17 September 1765 - 1834
Completed:	4
General characteristics
Type:	Ship of the line
Length:	170 ft (52 m) (gundeck) 133 ft (41 m) (keel)
Beam:	46 ft 9 in (14.25 m)
Propulsion:	Sails
Armament:	74 guns: Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounders Upper gundeck: 28 × 18-pounders Quarterdeck: 14 × 9-pounders Forecastle: 4 × 9-pounders
Notes:	Ships in class include: Canada, Majestic, Orion, Captain

The Canada class ships of the line were a series of four 74-gun third rates designed for the Royal Navy by William Bateley. The name ship of the class was launched in 1765.

During this period in British naval architecture, the 74-gun third rates were divided into two distinct groupings: the 'large' and 'common' classes. The Canada class ships belonged to the latter grouping, carrying 18-pounder guns on their upper gun decks, as opposed to the 24-pounders of the large class.

HMS Captain, made famous for Nelson's actions at the Battle of Cape St Vincent, belonged to this class of ships.