HMS Conqueror (1801)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Conqueror.

HMS Conqueror was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 23 November 1801 at Harwich. She was designed by Sir John Henslow as part of the middling class of 74s, and was the only ship built to her draught. Whereas the common class carried 28 18-pounder guns on their upper gun decks, the middling class carried 30, and only ten 9-pounder guns on their quarterdecks instead of the 12 of the common class.^[1]

Conqueror
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Conqueror
Ordered	10 June 1795
Builder	Graham, Harwich
Laid down	October 1795
Launched	23 November 1801
Fate	Broken up 1822
Notes	Participated in: Battle of Trafalgar
General characteristics [1]
Class and type	74-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	1854 (bm)
Length	176 ft (54 m) (gundeck)
Beam	49 ft (15 m)
Depth of hold	20 ft 9 in (6.32 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	GD: 28 × 32-pounder guns Upper GD: 30 × 18-pounder guns QD: 12 × 9-pounder guns Fc: 4 × 9-pounder guns

Sketch showing Conqueror at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805

She fought at Trafalgar under the command of Captain Israel Pellew, brother of Sir Edward Pellew. Pellew's captain of marines took the surrender of the overall commander of the French-Spanish fleet, Admiral Villeneuve, aboard the French ship Bucentaure (80 guns). However, he was not able to deliver Villeneuve's sword to the Conqueror as she had passed on to engage another ship and it was received by the captain of Mars.

Villeneuve, who spoke English, is alleged to have asked to whom he was surrendering. On being told it was Captain Pellew of the Conqueror, he replied "I am glad to have struck to the fortunate Sir Edward Pellew." When he was informed that the Conqueror's captain was Sir Edward's brother, he said, "His brother? What, are there two of them? Hėlas!" ^[2]

Conqueror towing HMS Africa off the shoals at Trafalgar, three days after the battle, painting by James Wilson Carmichael

On 2 February 1812, Conqueror was driven ashore on the coast of England between Sheerness and Chatham, Kent, during a storm.^[3]

Conqueror was broken up in 1822.^[1]