Canada-class ship of the line

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.

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	Arrogant class
Succeeded by	Ramillies 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

Design

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.

Service

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

Ships

• HMS Canada

Builder: Woolwich Dockyard

Ordered: 1 December 1759

Launched: 17 September 1765

Fate: Broken up, 1834

• HMS Majestic

Builder: Adams & Barnard, Deptford

Ordered: 23 August 1781

Launched: 11 December 1785

Fate: Broken up, 1816

• HMS Orion

Builder: Barnard, Deptford

Ordered: 2 October 1782

Launched: 1 June 1787

Fate: Broken up, 1814

• HMS Captain

Builder: Batson, Limehouse

Ordered: 14 November 1782

Launched: 26 January 1787

Fate: Burned and broken up, 1813

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.