HMS Edgar (1779)

HMS Edgar in the Downs circa 1810
History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Edgar
Ordered	25 August 1774
Builder	Woolwich Dockyard
Laid down	26 August 1776
Launched	30 June 1779
Renamed	HMS Retribution, 1815
Honours and awards	Participated in: Battle of Cape St. Vincent, 1780 Battle of Ushant, 1781 Battle of Cape Spartel, 1782 Battle of Copenhagen, 1801 Naval General Service Medal with clasp: "11 Aug Boat Service 1808"[1]
Fate	Broken up, 1835
General characteristics [2]
Class and type	Arrogant-class ship of the line
Tons burthen	1,60993⁄94 (bm)
Length	168 ft (51 m) (gundeck)
Beam	46 ft 9 in (14.25 m)
Depth of hold	19 ft 9 in (6.02 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	74 guns: Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounder guns Upper gundeck: 28 × 18-pounder guns Quarterdeck: 14 × 9-pounder guns Forecastle: 4 × 9-pounder guns

HMS Edgar was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, that saw service in the American Revolutionary, French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Launched in 1779, she fought in the battles of Cape St Vincent (in 1780) and Copenhagen (in 1801), two of the major naval engagements of the wars.

Edgar also saw service as flagship to two different admirals, and was the scene of a mutiny in 1808. After the end of her active career, she was employed as a prison ship before her 56-year life came to an end in 1835, when she was ordered to be broken up.