HMS Conqueror (1801)
| Career (UK) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | HMS Conqueror |
| Ordered: | 10 June 1795 |
| Builder: | Graham, Harwich |
| Laid down: | October 1795 |
| Launched: | 23 November 1801 |
| Honours and awards: |
Participated in: |
| Fate: | Broken up, 1822 |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Class and type: | 74-gun third rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen: | 1854 tons (1883.8 tonnes) |
| Length: | 176 ft (54 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam: | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 20 ft 9 in (6.32 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Full rigged ship |
| Armament: |
74 guns:
|
HMS Conqueror was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 23 November 1801 at Harwich. She was designed by Sir John Henslow as part of the Middling class of 74s, and was the only ship built to her draught. Whereas the common class carried 28 18 pdrs on their upper gun decks, the middling class carried 30, and only 10 9 pdrs on their quarterdecks instead of the 12 of the common class.[1]
She fought at Trafalgar under the command of Captain Israel Pellew, brother of Sir Edward Pellew. Pellew's captain of marines took the surrender of the overall commander of the French-Spanish fleet, Admiral Villeneuve's sword, aboard the French ship Bucentaure (80). However, he was not able to deliver the sword back to the Conqueror as she had passed on to engage another ship and it was received by the captain of Mars.
Villeneuve is supposed to have asked to whom he was surrendering. On being told it was Captain Pellew, he replied, 'There is no shame in surrendering to the gallant Sir Edward Pellew.' When he was informed that the Conqueror's captain was Sir Edward's brother, he said, 'England is fortunate to have two such brothers.'[citation needed]
Conqueror was broken up in 1822.[1]
Notes
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.
