HMS Edgar (1779)
| History | |
|---|---|
 UK
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| Name: | HMS Edgar |
| Ordered: | 25 August 1774 |
| Builder: | Woolwich Dockyard |
| Laid down: | 26 August 1776 |
| Launched: | 30 June 1779 |
| Renamed: | HMS Retribution, 1815 |
| Honours and awards: |
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| Fate: | Broken up, 1835 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Arrogant class ship of the line |
| Tons burthen: | 1609 93⁄94 (bm) |
| Length: | 168 ft (51 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam: | 46 ft 9 in (14.25 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Full rigged ship |
| Armament: |
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HMS Edgar was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, that saw service in the American Revolutionary, French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Launched in 1779, she fought in the battles of Cape St Vincent (in 1780) and Copenhagen (in 1801), two of the major naval engagements of the wars.
Edgar also saw service as flagship to two different admirals, and was the scene of a mutiny in 1808. After the end of her active career, she was employed as a prison ship before her 56-year life came to an end in 1835, when she was ordered to be broken up.
Edgar was ordered from Woolwich Dockyard on 25 August 1774. She was built to slightly modified lines of the Arrogant-class, which had been designed by Sir Thomas Slade. The Arrogant class of third rates was a development over Slade's previous Bellona-class, and a further nine ships were ordered from various yards, both Royal and commercial, to the same lines as Edgar. Originally, the Admiralty had intended to order her to be built to the lines of Sir John Williams' Alfred-class, specifically HMS Alexander. Her keel was laid down on 26 August 1776, and she was launched on 30 June 1779.
A list composed in or around 1793, giving details of twelve Royal Navy ships, reveals that Edgar possessed a white figurehead, with details painted in red and black. Of the other eleven ships mentioned, seven had the plain white figureheads as completed by the dockyards, whilst four had painted theirs with a larger palette since being launched.
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Wikipedia