HMS Fame (1759)
| History | |
|---|---|
 UK
|
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| Name: | HMS Fame |
| Ordered: | 13 April 1756 |
| Builder: | Bird, Deptford |
| Launched: | 1 January 1759 |
| Renamed: | HMS Guildford, December 1799 |
| Honours and awards: |
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| Fate: | Sold out of the service, 1814 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | 74-gun third rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen: | 1565 89⁄94 (bm) |
| Length: | 165 ft 6 in (50.44 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam: | 46 ft 7 in (14.20 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 19 ft 10 in (6.05 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Full rigged ship |
| Armament: |
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HMS Fame was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Deptford on 1 January 1759. She was designed by William Bateley, and was the only ship ever built to her draught.
In 1762, while in company with Lion, she captured the French 10-gun ship Ecureuil. On 20 January 1768, she was driven from her moorings at Plymouth, Devon onto St. Nicholas Island and was severely damaged. She collided with the Irish ships Freemason and Valentine. The former was also driven ashore on St. Nicholas Island, the latter sank in the Hamoaze. HMS Fame was refloated on 5 February and taken in to Plymouth for repairs.
In 1778, commanded by Captain Stephen Colby, she proceeded to the North American station in a fleet of 14 ships commanded by Vice-Admiral the Hon. John Byron with his flag in Princess Royal.
On 6 July 1779, commanded by Captain John Butchart, Fame took part in the Battle of Grenada against the French. The French fleet, under Admiral D’Estaing, consisted of 25 ships of the line and several frigates. The British fleet, under Vice-Admiral Byron, had 21 ships of the line and 1 frigate. The French were anchored off Georgetown on the south-west of the island, and the English approached during the night. D’Estaing weighed at 4 am and Byron chased. The British ships attacked in utter disorder and confusion. Fame and three other ships got separated from the main body, and were very badly mauled. The French lost no ships and eventually hauled off. The British lost 183 killed and 346 wounded. Fame lost 4 killed and 9 wounded. The French lost 190 killed and 759 wounded. This action reflected no credit on either side.
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Wikipedia