Defence, 1763
Type: 3rd rate ; Armament 74
Launched : 1763 ; Disposal date or year : 24 Dec 1811
Disposal Details : Wrecked, St: George & Defence off the coast of Jutland, on passage from Baltic.
BM: 1603 tons
Complement: 594
Notes:

1780 Rodney's victory off Cape St Vincent over Spanish

Fort St George 16 Nov 1784 arrived.

27 Oct 1793, joined the Channel Fleet and departed in search of the French fleet and squadrons. 18 Nov brief skirmish with a French squadron : by mid-December the fleet had returned to Spithead.

2 May - 1 Jun 1794 Departure of the Channel Fleet from St. Helen's, and the lead up to actions and manoeuvres with the French fleet. 29 May - 1 Jun., what was to be known as the Battle of the Glorious 1st June commences, resulting in the capture of six sail of the line and one sunk. Review of the part performed by each British ship engaged. 13 Jun, the fleet arrived back in home ports.

14 Feb 1795 the Channel fleet departed from Torbay for a brief cruise and to see various convoys safe out of the Channel.

Plymouth Circa Apr 1795 Has advised her convoy to prepare to sail up the Channel, the wind now blowing in the appropriate direction.

14 Jun 1795 the British fleet, then off Minorca, joined by a squadron from Gibraltar and England, including the Defence, Captain Thomas Wells.

8 Jul 1795, the fleet, at anchor at in San-Fiorenzo bay, once aware that the French fleet was close by, gave chase. It was sighted on the 13th and later the order was given for the general chase, but apart from the loss of a 74 by the French the result was inconclusive and resulted in not a little criticism, the consequence perhaps being Admiral Hotham's resignation on 1 Nov 1795.

6 Aug 1795, Admiral Hotham put to sea on a cruise, sighting the French fleet in Toulon road.

5 Oct 1795, a squadron under Rear-admiral Mann, including the Defence, departed from San-Fiorenzo in pursuit of a French squadron returning from Toulon to Brest ; but too late !

24 May 1798 departed from off Cadiz with a squadron of 10 ships of the line to join Nelson's squadron in the Mediterranean, arriving 7 Jun.

7 Jun 1798 the search for the French fleet.

1 Aug 1798 the preparation for the Battle of the Nile.

1 Aug 1798 Battle of the Nile.

14 Aug 1798 the Orion, Bellerophon, Minotaur, Defence, Audacious, Theseus, and Majestic, accompanied by the prizes Franklin, Tonnant, Aquilon, Conqu�rant, Peuple-Souverain and Spartiate leave Aboukir Bay.

Mid Sep 1798 arrive Gibraltar with prizes and after making repairs sail for England leaving the Peuple-Souverain (re-named Guerrier) behind as a guard ship.

2 Dec 1798 joined the squadron off Cadiz.

3 May 1799 prepared for action on receipt of news that the French fleet had escaped from Brest and was heading towards Cadiz. The French were sighted the following day, but stood on for the Mediterranean.

10 May 1799 arrived with the fleet at Gibraltar, and having watered and victualled departed for the Mediterranean.

20 May 1799 Edgar went aground off Minorca : assisted by the Barfleur and Defence, anchored in Port-Mahon: departed on 22 with the Fleet on a cruise.

26 Feb 1800 Portsmouth, arrived with a convoy from the Downs.

8 Mar 1800 Portsmouth, departed the Defence, 74, Captain Lord H Paulet, for Torbay.

24 Apr 1800 Torbay, the Channel Fleet, under the command of Sir Alan Gardner, departed, viz. Ville de Paris, Barfleur, Glory, London, Neptune, St George, Temeraire, Windsor Castle, Ajax, Achilles, Cumberland, Canada, Captain, Centaur, Defence, Defiance, Elephant, Excellent, Hector, Impetueux, Marlborough, Ramilies, Resolution, Robust, Russel, Saturn, Superb, Terrible, Venerable, Warrior, Sheerness, Amelia, Sea Horse, Thames, and Havick.

10-11 Jun 1800 boats from the Renown, Defence, Fisgard, and Unicorn cut out a number of vessels from St.-Croix.

Defence 18 Jun 1800 18 Jun 1800 Plymouth, arrived the Unicorn, 36 guns, Captain Wilkinson, from off the Penmarks, with ten brigs and chasse marees, with provisions and brandy for the French fleet at Brest. 11 sail were cut out from under the batteries by the boats of the Renown, Defence, Fisgard, and Unicorn. One foundered, but the crew were saved.

23 Jun-1 Jul 1800 boats from the Renown, Defence, and Fisgard involved in actions in the Quimper river and off the island of Noirmoutier.

19 Jul 1800 Plymouth, came in from off Brest with the Prince and Excellent.

6 Sep 1800 Plymouth, letters from the fleet off Brest, dated Black Rocks, the 2d inst. state that R.-Adm. Sir R. Calder, Bart, is appointed to the command of the in-shore or flying squadron, consisting of the Caesar, 84, Excellent 74, Marlborough 74, Defence 74, and Elephant 74.

19 Sep 1800 Plymouth, Letters from the Caesar, 84, of 16th, state, that she, with the Excellent, 74 ; Marlborough, 74 ; Elephant, 74 ; and Defence, 74, composing the squadron off the Black Rocks, were all well. They had taken possession of a small island about 2 miles from the coast, where there was plenty of game, rabbits, pigeons, &c. which, with fish and vegetables, affords, them many comforts.

27 Sep 1800 Plymouth, arrived from off Brest, and anchored in Cawsand Bay, owing to very heavy S. W. gales, the Temeraire, 98, Namur, 98, Prince, 98, Barfleur, 98, Royal George, 110, Neptune, 98, Juste, 84, Russel, 74, Mars, 74, Marlborough, 74, Defence, 74, Elephant, 74, Excellent, 74.

1 Oct 1800 Plymouth, arrived a French brig cartel from Nantz, with 114 British seamen and Marines, all of whom were taken prisoners about three months since in the boats of Rear-Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren's squadron, in endeavouring to cut out a French convoy from Isle Nourmouticr, but the tide making a great out, the whole were taken by the French troops; who, while our poor fellows were in the mud and sands, fired upon them in their defenceless situation, and killed and wounded several. Lord H. Paulet's coxswain of the Defence was killed.

16 Oct 1800 Plymouth, departed the Defence, 74, to join the Channel Fleet.

23 Oct 1800 Deuarnez Bay, with the flying squadron off the Black Rocks, composing the ships of the line Caesar, Pompee, Canada, Defence, Edgar, Warrior, Defiance, and Nimrod cutter ; the weather was very fine.

11 Nov 1800 Plymouth, arrived from the coast of France having sprung her bowsprit in a gale.

2 Dec 1800 Portsmouth, arrived the St George, Defence, Ramilies, Robust, Mars, and Saturn, from the Channel Fleet.

28 Feb 1801 the Warrior, Defence and Agincourt embarked the 49th Regt., and a detachment of the Rifle Corps at Spithead.

1 Mar 1801 appointed at Portsmouth, to form a part of the North Sea Fleet, St George, London, 98 ; Bellona, Ganges, Warrior, Ramilies, Russell, Saturn, and Defence, 74 ; Agincourt, 64, Harpy, 18, Alecto, Otter, fire ships ; Discovery, bomb.

2 Mar 1801 departed Spithead with a squadron bound for the Downs, Yarmouth Roads and Copenhagen.

3 Mar 1801 departed the Downs for the Northward.

10 Mar 1801 the North Sea Fleet has come together at N. Yarmouth, and consists of the London, and St George, 98 guns, Adm. Sir Hyde Parker having transferred his flag from the Ardent to the St George ; Monarch, Bellona, Saturn, Ramilies, Ganges, Warrior, Russell and Defence, 74 ; Veteran, Ardent, Polyphemus, Raisonable, Agamemnon, 64 ; Glatton, 54 ; Isis, 50 ; Desiree, Blanche, and Amazon frigates ; Pylades, Hyaena, Dart, and Arrow, sloops ; Harpy ; Biter, Blazer, Bruiser, Tigress, Pelter, Teazer, Hasty, Force, Sparkler Brigs ; Terror, Volcano, Explosion, Hecla, Zebra, Albion, Sulphur, and Discovery bombs ; Eling, schooner ; cutters Fox and Hazard ; and luggers Rover and Lark.

Circa 12 Mar 1801 fleet under Admiral Sir Hyde Parker and Lord Nelson, consisting of 17 ships of the line, 3 frigates, 10 gun-brigs, nearly as many bomb-ketches, with smaller vessels usually attendant on a fleet, making in the whole nearly 50 sail, got under weigh from Yarmouth Roads at the break of day, and by eight o'clock had cleared the Sands ; they directed their course to the northward, wafted by a fine breeze at S.W. as departed from Yarmouth roads for Copenhagen (Naval Chronicle). 31 Mar Copenhagen : remained anchored off the Middle Ground with Admiral Parker whilst Nelson departed with the rest of the fleet for the forthcoming engagement. 2 Apr moved closer to Copenhagen and subsequently detached as a reinforcement to Nelson ; the truce : the casualties : the wash-up :

12 Apr 1801 the fleet departed from Copenhagen into the Baltic.

18 Jun 1801 a letter of this date, received from Kioge Bay, in the Baltic, reports the presence of the following fleet, this at about the same time as Lord Nelson departed in the Kite for N. Yarmouth, V.-Adm Pole having arrived here in the Aeolus to relieve Nelson : the St George, Elephant, Defiance, Polyphemus, Edgar, Agamemnon, Defence, Adder, Aeolus, Kite, Dart, Zebra, Terror, Explosion, Sulphur, Discovery, Volcano, Hecla, Wrangler, Cracker, Safeguard, Sparkler, Attack, Tigress, Bruiser, Hasty, Biter, Otter, Force, Pleaser, Teazer.

19 Jun 1801 arrived at Yarmouth from the Baltic, to join the Channel Fleet off Brest. [As with the Polyphemus, Defence, Sulphur, Explosion, Cracker, Bruizer, Hasty, Otter and Teazer I appreciate that there is some discrepancy here with the dates, so either they departed from the Baltic at an earlier date, or the date of their arrival at Yarmouth is suspect! I can only use the info as I find it.]

28 Jul 1801 arrived Plymouth Sound the Hyaena, from off Copenhagen, last from Cork ; where she left the Warrior, Tyler, Bellona, Ganges, Defiance, Russell, and Defence, of 74 guns each ; a frigate, and Eltham armed schooner, where they are to victual, and then proceed on a cruise.

30 Jul 1801 departed Cork the Russell, Bellona, Warrior, and Defence, on a cruise, destination uncertain, but understood that it may be to join R.-Adm. Sir J. Saumarez, off Gibraltar.

16 Aug 1801 letters, as dated, from off Cadiz, received at Plymouth from an officer of the Thames, state that Rear Admiral Sir J. Saumarez, Bart, with seven sail of the line, two frigates, and a sloop of war, having refitted at Gibraltar, departed the 9th to block up Cadiz, and on the 10th ult. was joined by Commodore Tyler with 4 sail of the Baltic Fleet from Cork ; his fleet now consists of the following ships : Caesar, Warrior, Pompee, Spencer, Venerable, Superbe, Bellona, Defence, Russell, Audacious, Caroline, 44, Thames, 32, and Peterell, 18, all well equipped and in high spirits.

2 Sep 1801 Adm Pole in the St George, Dreadnought, Ramilies, Vanguard, Powerful and Zealous, arrived off Cadiz on 31 Aug., and on 2 Sep., in company with Sir James Saumarez's squadron, consisting of the Defence, Warrior, Spencer, Superb, Audacious, ships of the line ; and Caroline, Thames, frigates ; and sloop Peterell, began cruising before Cadiz. The Bellona was reported to be at Gibraltar fishing her main-mast.

18 Sep 1801 following a chase captured the French lugger privateer Enfant du Carnival, 14 guns and 60 men.

19 Sep 1801 when off Lisbon the Superb reported the departure of the Superb, Defence, and Peterell sloop, from Vice-Admiral Pole on the 6th instant.

20 Sep 1801 the Falmouth packet Walsingham arrived at Lisbon, where she reports that the Defence had just arrived from a cruise.

5 Feb 1802 letters received Plymouth from the Caesar, 84, state that Adm. Gantheaume's squadron had passed the Gut of Gibraltar the 20th ult., and that Sir James had dispatched after them the Bellona, 74 ; Warrior, 74 ; Zealous, 74 ; Defence, 74, to watch them ; destination unknown.

13 May 1802 the Brunswick, Bellona, Vengeance, Orion, Defence, Edgar, Elephant, Powerful, and Carnatic departed Jamaica for England.

24 Jun 1802 arrived off the Isle of Wight the Defence, Edgar, Elephant, and Powerful, which continued to the Eastward to Sheerness to be paid off and arrived in the Downs later that day ; the Bellona, Vengeance, Brunswick, and Orion, which had accompanied them from Jamaica for 6 weeks having departed for Portsmouth, the Carnatic having already been sent into Plymouth.

27 Jun 1802 arrived Sheerness, from the West Indies, and departed to Chatham to be paid off.

20 Jul 1802 head money for those present at the Engagement at Copenhagen, on the 2d April 1801, due for payment.

10 May 1803 her fitting is getting forward at Chatham.

Circa 28 May 1803 Capt W Hope apptd in command of the Defence.

3 Jul 1803 arrived at the Nore.

9 Jul 1803 following the receipt of an express message at Sheerness, presumably from the Admiralty ? the Monarch, 74 ; Defence, 74 ; Seine, 38, frigate ; and Ferrier, gun brig, were sent to sea to the Northwards, without even paying monies due to some ship's companies today. I guess we'll discover the urgency as the story unfolds ?

11 Jul 1803 departed Sheerness for the Northwards in company with the Monarch.

29 Jul 1803 is under orders to depart Spithead for Plymouth to complete her manning and to be paid.

10 Aug 1803 arrived the Iris, Smith, from Geneva, bound to Amsterdam, with oil and goods, prize to the Defence.

29 Aug 1803 arrived Sheerness, the Defence, to be refitted.

30 Oct 1804 arrived Spithead the Defence, Capt Hope, from the Downs.

2 Nov 1804 departed Spithead, the Swiftsure, with flag officer, V.-Adm Order, Capt Robinson ; Defence, Capt Hope ; Polyphemus, Capt Lawford ; Ruby, Capt Rowley ; and the Agamemnon, Capt Harvey, with sealed orders.

May 1805 With Vice Admiral Sir John Orde.

10 Oct 1805 off Cadiz - the tactical preparations etc. for the forthcoming battle. 20 Oct combined fleet departed Cadiz, fleet manoeuvres.

21 Oct 1805 England expects�.. &c. signalled, the first shots of the Battle of Trafalgar are fired. Nelson shot. Resum� of what had taken place. Individual ship actions and losses : Defence. The post-mortem commences ; Summary of British casualties ; Death of Nelson ;

22-30 Oct 1805 losses amongst the prizes due to bad weather etc: Redoutable, Rayo, Monarca (sank) ; Fougueux, Bucentaure, Indomptable, San-Francisco-de-Asis, Aigle, Berwick (wrecked) ; Alg�siras (taken into Cadiz) ; Santa-Ana, Neptuno (recaptured) ; Santisima-Trinidad (scuttled) ; Achille, Intr�pide, San-Augustin (burnt) ; the washup ; burial of Nelson ;

8 Aug 1807 arrived at Copenhagen with a convoy of transports and remained until 13 Aug when she and the Comus were ordered to capture the Danish frigate Frederickscoarn, which, after a chase the Comus achieved in the early hours of the 15th.

Dec 1807 had departed from England to join a squadron under R.-Adm. Sir W. S. Smith, blockading the Tagus.

Yarmouth 31 Dec 1809 arrived with a small convoy from the Baltic.

Deal 18 Jan 1810 arrived from the Baltic.

Dover 27 Oct 1810 Wednesday night a boat from the Defence upset in the surf and two of the crew drowned whilst attempting to come ashore.

Plymouth 28 Feb 1811 departed for Portsmouth.

Deal 20 Mar 1811 departed on a cruise off the Texel.

Harwich 22 Apr 1811 Hoseley Bay.

9 Nov-24 Dec 1811 a series of gales which resulted in the loss of the St.-George and the Defence, wrecked on the western coast of Jutland.