HMS Vanguard (1787)
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 Blueprint of HMS Vanguard (on display at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London)
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| Ship data | ||
| Surname: | Vanguard | |
| Keel laying : | October 17, 1782 | |
| Launch: | March 6, 1787 | |
| Builder: | Deptford Dockyard | |
| Crew: | ? | |
| Technical specifications | ||
| Type: | Ship of the line (timber construction, two-decker) | |
| Length over all: | ? | |
| Main battery deck length: | 168 feet | |
| Width: | 46 feet, 9 inches | |
| Drive: | sail | |
| Tonnage : | 1,644 t | |
| Draft: | 19 feet, 9 inches | |
| Armor system: | without | |
| Armament | ||
| 18 pounder on the upper battery deck : | 28 | |
| 32 pounder on the battery deck: | 28 | |
| 9-pounder on the forecastle deck: | 4th | |
| 9 pounders on the quarterdeck: | 14th | |
The HMS Vanguard , the fifth ship of this name, was a British ship of the line of the third rank with 74 cannons, which at times served as Admiral Nelson's flagship . It was launched in Deptfort in 1787 and belonged to the arrogant class .
The first in command was Sir Andrew S. Hammond. In 1797, the Vanguard became the flagship of Horatio Nelson's fleet under the command of Commodore Edward Berry. In 1798, the fleet was ordered to the Mediterranean by Admiral John Jervis , where it got caught in a severe storm in May. The Vanguard lost the fore and main mast and was driven into the lion golf . Only one day later she was towed by the HMS Alexander and set out for the necessary repairs to Sardinia , where the fleet assembled.
On August 1, 1798, the ship took part in the sea battle at Abukir , in which Napoleon's expedition fleet was devastated. In the battle, the Vanguard lost three officers and 20 sailors. Captain Taddy also died with seven of his marines. J. Campbell, Nelson's secretary, was among the victims. Nelson himself and 68 other crew members were wounded. After the battle, the fleet sailed to Naples , where the damage suffered was repaired. In September, Thomas Masterman Hardy took command of the flagship.
On December 21, 1799, under the direction of Thomas Hardy, a landing party consisting of boats from the Vanguard and other ships of the association was dispatched to evacuate members of the Sicilian royal family and other people after the imminent capture of Naples by Napoleonic troops threatened . Around 600 people could be shipped to Palermo from Nelson's fleet .
On June 6, 1799 Nelson made the newly built 80-gun ship Foudroyant his new flagship and took Thomas Hardy with him as flag captain. William Brown became the new commander of the Vanguard . In 1800 the ship was temporarily decommissioned.
It was reactivated as early as 1801 and assigned to the Baltic Fleet under Admiral Pole. In 1803 the fleet operated off Jamaica , where the Vanguard and the HMS Bellerophon were able to raise the Dusquesne in a battle against several French ships of the line .
In 1805 the Vanguard was taken out of service again, before it was completely overhauled in 1807 and in 1808 Rear Admiral Thomas Bertie served as the flagship. In 1812 she became a prisoner ship and in 1814 a powder hulk. In 1821 it was finally canceled.
See also
- Other ships of this name: HMS Vanguard