HMS Prince Regent (1814) was a 98-gun second-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was one of the largest warships built for the Royal Navy during the later period of the Napoleonic Wars and was named in honour of the Prince Regent (later King George IV).
Construction: Ordered on 12 March 1807, Prince Regent was laid down in April 1810 at Chatham Dockyard. She was built to a modified design of the Boyne-class 98-gun ships, with the modifications leading to her being classified as a unique design. The ship was launched on 12 July 1814, a time when the major naval engagements of the Napoleonic Wars were largely concluded. Her construction took place under the supervision of Edward Sison, the Master Shipwright at Chatham.
Service History: Despite being a formidable vessel for her era, Prince Regent saw little active service in major conflicts due due to her late commissioning near the end of the Napoleonic Wars. She spent much of her early career either in reserve or as a guardship. Her duties often involved routine patrols, flag-showing duties, and serving as a depot or receiving ship in various locations. For a period, she served as a receiving ship at Port Royal, Jamaica, providing accommodation and administrative support for other naval personnel.
Later Career and Fate: In 1859, as naval technology advanced rapidly, Prince Regent underwent a conversion into a screw guardship, being fitted with a propeller and auxiliary steam power. However, this conversion was a relatively late attempt to extend her useful life, and she saw minimal active service in this new capacity. The ship was ultimately broken up in 1864, after half a century of service, most of which was spent in reserve or in non-combat roles, marking the end of her career as the Royal Navy transitioned fully to steam-powered ironclad warships.