HMS Colossus
HMS Colossus was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 4 April 1787 at Gravesend and lost in a shipwreck off the Isles of Scilly on 10 December 1798 after a distinguished career in the French Revolutionary Wars.[1] Built to the Leviathan class design, which was derived from the French Courageux class, she measured approximately 51 meters in length and carried a crew of over 600 officers and men.[2][3] As one of the most successful warship types of the late 18th century, Colossus exemplified the standard 74-gun ship that dominated naval engagements during this era.[2] Commissioned shortly after her launch, Colossus initially served in the Mediterranean Fleet, participating in key operations such as the blockade of Toulon in 1793, where she helped secure the port during the early stages of the French Revolutionary Wars.[3] Under captains including George Lumsdaine and later Charles Powell Hamilton, she captured the French privateers Le Vanneau and Vrai Patriote in 1793, demonstrating her effectiveness in convoy protection and commerce raiding.[2] In 1795, she fought at the Battle of Groix off the coast of France, contributing to the British victory that captured two French ships of the line.[3] Her most prominent action came in 1797 at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, where, as part of Admiral John Jervis's fleet, she helped secure a decisive triumph over a larger Spanish squadron, firing broadsides that supported the British line's maneuver to cut off the enemy van.[1][2] By 1798, Colossus had transitioned to a supporting role, serving as a stores ship for the British fleet during the Battle of the Nile and later in the blockade of Malta.[3] On her final voyage from Lisbon to England, she carried wounded sailors from the Nile engagement, the body of Admiral Lord Shuldham, and a valuable cargo including eight crates of antiquities—primarily Greek vases—from diplomat Sir William Hamilton's collection, along with spices and other goods.[1][3] During a severe gale on 7 December 1798, while anchored in St. Mary's Roads near the Isles of Scilly, her anchor cable parted due to the storm's force and the lack of a spare bower anchor, driving her onto the rocks south of Samson Island.[2] Despite Captain George Murray's efforts to save her, Colossus struck the shallows, flooded rapidly, and broke apart; remarkably, all but one crew member were rescued by local boats, though much of the cargo, including most of Hamilton's vases, was lost to the sea.[1][3] The wreck of Colossus proved to be one of the era's most culturally significant maritime disasters, with Hamilton's collection—valued for its Etruscan and Roman artifacts—inspiring reproductions by Josiah Wedgwood and contributing to the neoclassical art movement.[1] Initial salvage in 1798 recovered some items, including one crate of vases and a 72-cwt anchor, but the site lay forgotten until its rediscovery in 1974 by divers.[3] Subsequent excavations by the British Museum and others recovered approximately 35,000 pottery fragments in 1975, and in 2000, the site was redesignated a protected wreck following the discovery of additional artifacts like a carved wooden statue.[3] Today, remnants such as her guns, salvaged in 1852 and displayed at St. Mary's Garrison, and the recovered ceramics held by institutions like the British Museum, underscore Colossus's enduring legacy as both a warship and an archaeological treasure.[1][2]Design and construction
Specifications
HMS Colossus was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line belonging to the Courageux class (also known as the Leviathan class), designed by Sir Thomas Slade as a direct copy of the captured French ship Courageux (1753) and serving as a mainstay in the Royal Navy's battle fleet during the late 18th century.[4][1] As a third-rate, she was intended for the main line of battle, balancing firepower, speed, and durability for engagements against comparable enemy vessels.[3] The ship's dimensions followed standard proportions for a large 74-gun vessel, measuring 172 feet 3 inches (52.5 meters) along the gundeck, with a keel length of 140 feet 1 inch (42.7 meters), a beam of 47 feet 9 inches (14.6 meters), and a depth of hold of 20 feet 9½ inches (6.3 meters).[4] Her tonnage was calculated at 1,703 tons burthen using the builders' measurement system, reflecting the volume of timber used in construction.[4] Colossus was constructed primarily from oak, a durable hardwood essential for the structural integrity of Royal Navy warships, with additional copper sheathing applied to the hull in 1787 to protect against marine growth and fouling.[5] The total cost of building her under contract at William Cleverley's yard in Gravesend was £40,561, covering materials, labor, and fittings as per Navy Board records.[6] Propulsion relied entirely on sail power, with a full-rigged configuration featuring three masts—fore, main, and mizzen—supporting square sails and additional fore-and-aft rigging for maneuverability in fleet actions.[4] The crew complement typically exceeded 600 officers and ratings, with records indicating 647 men aboard during operations in 1795, allowing for efficient handling of sails, guns, and boarding parties.[4] Her armament conformed to the establishment for a 74-gun third-rate, emphasizing heavy long guns for broadside fire:| Deck | Guns | Caliber |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Gundeck | 28 × long guns | 32-pounders |
| Upper Gundeck | 28 × long guns | 18-pounders |
| Quarterdeck | 14 × long guns | 9-pounders |
| Forecastle | 4 × long guns | 9-pounders |