HMS Temeraire (1798)

HMS "Temeraire" was a 98-gun second-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 11 September 1798 at Chatham, which fought at the Battle of Trafalgar. She was named after the French 74-gun ship taken at the Battle of Lagos (1759), following the British custom of naming new ships after old prizes.

At Trafalgar under the command of Eliab Harvey, she was next astern to "Victory". "Temeraire" was badly damaged as she fought to relieve Nelson's flagship. During the battle, "Temeraire" helped force the surrender of the French ship "Redoutable" and captured the French ship "Fougueux".

She became famous as the subject of two paintings by J. M. W. Turner, one showing her .

"Temeraire" served as a prison ship from 1812–1815 and as a receiving ship until 1836 when she was briefly recommissioned. She was sold and broken up in 1838, and some of her timbers were used to build a communion table and two bishop's chairs in St. Mary's Church, Rotherhithe.

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.