‘Bellona’ – Third-rate 74

‘Bellona’ – Third-rate 74

No. 74 was a third-class ship, the most important new type of ship of the late 18th century. Bellona It was one of the most successful designs for the Royal Navy and became the prototype for the Type 74.

The French developed the Type 74 in the 1730s, which was better equipped and sailed better than the British Type 70. But it was not until the 1760s that the Royal Navy began to build Type 74 submarines in large numbers.

It became the navy’s standard large warship, dominating the battlefield for 60 years. More than 200 Type 74s were launched. At the Battle of the Nile in 1798, Nelson’s fleet consisted almost entirely of Type 74s; at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, half of Nelson’s fleet consisted of Type 74s.

Bellona One of the most successful designs. More than 40 ships are her close relatives.

Designer

Sir Thomas Slade (naval surveyor, 1755-71)

put up

Chatham. Built in May 1758 and launched in February 1760. Built with the equivalent of about 3,400 mature trees. Total length of rigging about 23.5 miles (37.5 km).

cost

£43,391 11s 4d (equivalent to over £1.6 million today)

aspect

Gundeck length – 168 ft (51 m), width – 46.75 ft (14 m), cargo hold depth – 19.75 ft (6 m)

arms

Lower deck – 28 32-pounders, upper deck – 28 18-pounders, quarterdeck – 14 9-pounders, bow – 4 9-pounders (9-pounders were eventually replaced by carronades)

Copper plating

Model Bellona Probably commissioned to demonstrate copper craft to King George III. The ship was first copper-plated in 1780. Nearly 3,000 plates were used. She was re-coppered seven times.

all staff

1761 Into action Bellona It had 567 soldiers, of which 36 were officers, 434 were enlisted men, and 97 were marines. The official strength of the 74th was 650 men.

Battle Honor

Won France 74 brave1761 (single-ship action); Battle of Copenhagen, 1801 (with Nelson’s fleet); Raid on the Basque Roads, 1809.

destiny

Disbanded at Chatham in 1814