- HMS Illustrious (1789)
HMS "Illustrious" was a 74-gun
third rate ship of the line of theRoyal Navy , launched on7 July 1789 atBucklers Hard .In 1795, "Illustrious" took part in the Battle of Genoa, famous for the capture of "Ça Ira" by Captain Nelson aboard HMS|Agamemnon|1781|2. "Illustrious" was badly damaged in the engagement with the van of the French fleet, and after the battle was being towed by HMS|Meleager|1785|2 when she broke free of her tow and was forced to anchor in a nearby bay to ride out the bad weather that had descended upon her. Her cables broke, however, and all efforts to save the ship failed. She was set on fire, and all her crew and some portion of her stores were saved. [Ships of the Old Navy entry.]
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.
*Michael Phillips. [http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/I.HTM Ships of the Old Navy, A History of Ships of the 18th Century Royal Navy] . Ships of the Old Navy. Retrieved2 June 2007 .
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