HMS Agamemnon (1781)

HMS Agamemnon was a 64-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was designed by Sir Thomas Slade, and launched in 1781 from Buckler's Hard, Hampshire. Agamemnon is best known for her association with Admiral Horatio Nelson, who served aboard her for three years during the French Revolutionary Wars.

Agamemnon saw extensive service throughout her career. Initially commissioned during the American Revolutionary War, she participated in the Third Battle of Ushant in 1782. Following a period of relative inactivity, she was recommissioned for service in the Mediterranean during the French Revolutionary Wars.

It was during this period that Nelson served as her captain, from January 1793 to June 1796. Under Nelson's command, Agamemnon was heavily involved in operations in the Mediterranean, including the siege of Toulon, and the naval battles of Genoa and Cap Corse. Nelson formed a strong bond with the ship and her crew, and his experiences aboard Agamemnon were formative in his development as a naval commander.

After Nelson left the ship, Agamemnon continued to serve actively. She participated in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 under the command of Captain Sir Edward Berry, playing a vital role in the British victory. In 1809, while operating in the River Plate, Agamemnon ran aground on a shoal and was wrecked. There were no fatalities. Her wreck lies off Maldonado Bay, Uruguay.