HMS Superb was a 74-gun Bellona-class third-rate ship of the line constructed for the Royal Navy. Designed by Sir Thomas Slade, she was built by Adam Hayes at Deptford Dockyard and launched on 27 October 1760. As a sister ship to HMS Dragon, Superb exemplified the typical characteristics of a mid-18th-century battleship, with a substantial armament designed for fleet actions. Throughout her service, HMS Superb played an active role in several notable naval engagements and operations. During the Seven Years' War, in June 1762, she, along with two other ships, successfully defended a convoy from a French squadron commanded by Commodore de Ternay. In 1764, she carried troops to North America, supporting colonial conflicts. Her operational history also includes an incident in January 1768 when she struck a rock in Cork Harbour off Ireland, necessitating repairs at Portsmouth. HMS Superb's service extended to the East Indies, where she participated in significant battles against French forces. In December 1780, she destroyed shipping at Mangalore. She was actively engaged in the major naval battles of 1782, including the Battle of Sadras (17 February), the Battle of Providien (12 April), the Second Battle of Negapatam (6 July), and the Battle of Trincomalee (3 September). During these engagements, she served as the flagship of Admiral Edward Hughes, notably during his series of battles with the French under Admiral Suffren in India. In June 1783, the Superb took part in the Battle of Cuddalore before returning to Bombay for copper sheathing along her hull. Tragically, on 7 November 1783, while undergoing repairs, she developed a severe leak through her copper sheathing into the bilge. This ultimately caused her to sink in Tellicherry Roads off the Bombay coast, resulting in the loss of her commander, Captain Dunbar Maclellan, and her crew of approximately 550 men. The ship's history reflects her importance in Royal Navy operations during a turbulent period of naval warfare and colonial conflict.

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