Prince of Wales HMS 1765

[shipstamps]

H.M.S. Prince of Wales, on the 35c stamp, was the flagship of Sir Samuel Barrington in 1778 when St. Lucia was once more captured from the French. Admiral Count d'Estaing launched a vigorous attack on the British fleet but, on being repulsed for the second time, he was obliged to retire in confusion. The Prince of Wales (first ship of the name) was laid down as the Hibernia, being renamed on September 20, 1763, and launched by Bird and Fisher, at Milford, on June 4, 1765. She was a 3rd Rate of 74 guns; 1.623 tons builder's measurement; with a length of 170 ft. and a beam of 47 ft. She was broken up at Plymouth in August 1783. SG353 Sea Breezes Sept 1973

[aukepalmhof]

16 December 1761 ordered as a third rate ship-of-the-line.
March 1762 laid down as the HIBERNIA on the yard of Bird & Fisher, Milford for the Royal Navy. She was the largest Royal Navy ship built in Milford during the 18th century.
20 October 1763 renamed in PRINCE OF WALES.
04 June 1765 launched as HMS PRINCE OF WALES.
Tonnage 1,623 ton (bm), dim. 168.7 x 47.0 x 19.9ft, length of keel 138.2ft. draught 13.3ft.
Armament: Lower Deck 28 – 32 pdr; upper deck 28 – 18 pdr; quarter deck 14 – 9 pdr. And on forecastle 4 – 9 pdrs.
Crew 550/600.
30 June 1765 sailed from the builder’s yard bound for Plymouth where she arrived 08 July 1765 for outfitting.
04 October till 22 December 1770 completed at Plymouth.
September 1770 commissioned under command of Captain John Holwall for the Falkland Island dispute.
May 1771 paid off.
Under repair at Plymouth from January 1774 till February 1775.
October 1776 commissioned under command of Captain Samuel Barrington in Home waters in 1777. January 1778 under command of Captain Benjamin Hill and carried the flag of the now Rear-Admiral Barrington.
19 May 1778 sailed for the Leeward Islands, and was at the capture of St Lucia on 14 December 1778, repulse of d’Estaing on 15 December 1778.
06 July 1779 was at the Battle of Granada.
Sold in Plymouth for £499.13.1d and broken up, which was completed 08 August 1783.

St Lucia 1973 35c sg353, scott338.
Source: Log Book. British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792 by Rif Winfield.