The Infante was a 70-gun ship of the line constructed for the Spanish Navy in the mid-18th century. She was part of a class of three ships ordered in 1748, designed according to specifications laid out by Ciprian Autran. Built at Havana by shipbuilder Pedro de Torres, Infante was laid down on June 3, 1748, and launched nearly two years later on June 20, 1750. As a ship of the line, Infante was a formidable warship intended for fleet engagements. She was commissioned on August 15, 1751, alongside her sister ships Galicia and Princesa. The vessel departed Havana on March 1, 1752, as part of a squadron that included the 80-gun Rayo, under the overall command of Squadron Commander Francisco Ponce de Leon. The squadron's voyage culminated in their arrival at Cádiz on April 30, 1752, marking her operational entry into the Spanish fleet. During her service, Infante participated in the naval conflicts of the period, most notably during the siege of Havana. On August 13, 1762, during the conflict, she was captured by the British forces. Subsequently, the British Royal Navy commissioned her as HMS Infanta, a third-rate ship of the line, reflecting her robust design and armament. She served under the British flag for over a decade before being decommissioned and sold in 1775. Infante's history highlights her role as a significant military asset of the Spanish Navy during the 18th century, later integrating into British naval forces following her capture. Her construction in Havana, her participation in key naval movements, and her eventual transfer to the Royal Navy underscore her maritime importance during this period.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.