HMS Magnanime (1780)

HMS Magnanime was a 64-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1780. She was designed by Sir Thomas Slade and built at Woolwich Dockyard.

Magnanime saw service during the American Revolutionary War, participating in several key naval engagements. She was present at the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781, a decisive French victory that contributed significantly to the British defeat at Yorktown.

In the years following the American Revolution, Magnanime continued to serve in the Royal Navy, primarily in the Channel Fleet. She participated in routine patrols and exercises, ensuring British naval dominance in home waters.

By the late 1790s, Magnanime was considered increasingly obsolete compared to newer, larger ships of the line. She was eventually converted to a storeship in 1799 and renamed HMS Magnificent. In this role, she transported supplies and provisions to British naval bases around the world.

HMS Magnificent (ex-Magnanime) continued her service as a storeship until she was broken up in 1811. Her career spanned over three decades, encompassing periods of intense naval conflict and peacetime duties. She represents a typical example of a mid-sized warship that played a significant role in maintaining British maritime power during a turbulent period of history.