HMS Magnanime was a 74-gun ship of the line originally built for the French Navy and launched in 1744 at Rochefort. Designed by Blaise Geslain, she measured approximately 165 French feet in length (about 153.5 feet on the keel), with a breadth of 44.5 French feet and a hold depth of 22 French feet, displacing around 1,600 tons. After her capture by the British in 1748, she was remeasured as 173 feet 7 inches in length along her gundeck, with a beam of 49 feet 4.5 inches, and a hold depth of 21 feet 7 inches, with a capacity of over 1,823 tons burden. Initially, she was partially dismasted in a storm off Ushant while en route to the East Indies. Engaged by British forces, she sustained significant damage, with 45 crew members killed and 105 injured during the confrontation with HMS Nottingham and HMS Portland. Purchased by the Royal Navy in 1749, she underwent extensive refitting before entering service in 1756, commanded by Captain Wittewronge Taylor. She served as flagship in the Channel Fleet under notable commanders and played a prominent role in several key engagements during the Seven Years’ War. Magnanime participated in the 1757 raid on Rochefort, notably bombarding Île-d'Aix to silence its batteries, which was part of a broader strategic effort to divert French military resources. She was involved in the 1759 Battle of Quiberon Bay under Lord Howe, where she contributed to the sinking or destruction of six French ships, including forcing the surrender of the Héros. Throughout her service, she served in various fleets, including under Admiral Hawke and in the Basque Roads. By 1770, after a survey deemed her unseaworthy, HMS Magnanime was laid up and ultimately broken up in 1775 at Plymouth. Her service record highlights her importance as a third-rate ship of the line during pivotal naval campaigns of the mid-18th century.

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