HMS Ajax (1767) explained

HMS Ajax was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Thomas Bucknall at Portsmouth Dockyard and launched on 23 December 1767. She was designed by William Bateley, and was the only ship built to her draught. She had a crew of 600 men.^[1]

She saw extensive action in the War of American Independence, taking part in the Battles of Cape St. Vincent, the Chesapeake, St. Kitts and the Saintes.^[1]

She was driven ashore and damaged at Saint Lucia in the Great Hurricane of 1780^[2] but was recovered.

On 12 April 1782 she saw action against the French fleet at the Battle of the Saintes under command of Captain Nicholas Charrington.^[3]

She was sold in 1785.

Commanders of note

• John Carter Allen (later Admiral Allen)
• Philip Boteler
• Robert Linzee (later Admiral Linzee)
• Samuel Uvedale
• John Symons

References

• Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. .

Notes and References

1. Web site: British Third Rate ship of the line 'Ajax' (1767) .
2. The Marine List. New Lloyd's List. 1228. 1780-12-29. 78 v .
3. Famous Fighters of the Fleet, Edward Fraser, 1904, p.128