HDMS Elephanten (1773)

HDMS Elephanten was a Danish-Norwegian ship of the line launched in 1773. She was a second-rate ship armed with 70 guns. The Elephanten served in the Danish-Norwegian navy during a period of relative peace, and details of her active service are limited. Ships of the line like the Elephanten formed the backbone of naval power at the time, designed to engage in fleet battles and protect trade routes. The "HDMS" prefix stands for "Her Danish Majesty's Ship" (or "His Danish Majesty's Ship," depending on the reigning monarch). Her namesake, the Elephanten of 1687, was among the most decorated and storied ships in Danish naval history, thus giving the 1773 vessel a symbolic connection to previous naval power. Details of her eventual fate (whether she was decommissioned, broken up, or captured) require further research and are not readily available in common naval history sources.