Definition
HMS Robust (1764) was a third‑rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, rated at 74 guns. She was constructed in the mid‑18th century and served in various naval operations before being decommissioned and broken up in the early 19th century.
Overview
The vessel was ordered in 1759 as part of a naval expansion programme aimed at strengthening Britain’s fleet during the Seven Years’ War. Built at Deptford Dockyard on the River Thames, she was launched on 15 July 1764. Throughout her career, HMS Robust operated primarily in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. She saw service during the American Revolutionary War, the French Revolutionary Wars, and the early Napoleonic conflicts, undertaking duties that included convoy escort, fleet actions, and blockades. By the early 1800s she had been withdrawn from front‑line service and was repurposed as a prison ship (a “prison hulk”) before being broken up in 1815.
Etymology / Origin
The name Robust follows the Royal Navy tradition of using adjectives that convey strength or steadfastness. The term “robust” entered English from the Latin robustus (“hard, strong”), reflecting the intended qualities of the ship.
Characteristics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Third‑rate ship of the line |
| Armament | 74 guns (typically: 28 × 32‑pdr on lower deck, 28 × 18‑pdr on upper deck, 18 × smaller guns on quarterdeck and forecastle) |
| Displacement | Approx. 1,700 tons burthen (builder’s measurement) |
| Dimensions | Length on gundeck: ~168 ft; beam: ~47 ft; depth of hold: ~20 ft |
| Propulsion | Sail‑powered, full‑rigged ship |
| Construction | Oak frames and planking; built at Deptford Dockyard under Master Shipwright Thomas Bucknall |
| Service Entry | 1764 |
| Fate | Converted to a prison hulk (c. 1800); broken up in 1815 |
Related Topics
- Ships of the line – The dominant class of warships in the Age of Sail, designed to fight in the line of battle.
- Royal Navy ship rating system – A hierarchical classification based on the number of guns; third‑rate ships typically carried 64–80 guns.
- Deptford Dockyard – One of the principal Royal Dockyards on the River Thames, active from the 16th to the 19th century.
- Prison hulks – Decommissioned vessels used as floating prisons, especially during the Napoleonic Wars.
Note: While the existence of HMS Robust (1764) is recorded in several naval reference works, such as “Ships of the Royal Navy” by J.J. Colledge and B. Warlow, detailed operational logs for the ship are limited, and some specifics of her service record remain unverified.