HMS Prince, also known as Royal Prince, was a formidable 100-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, constructed at Deptford Dockyard by Phineas Pett the Younger and launched in 1670. As a first-rate vessel, she was among the largest and most heavily armed ships of her era, designed for flagship duties and fleet actions. During the Third Anglo-Dutch War, HMS Prince served as the flagship of the Lord High Admiral, the Duke of York (later James II & VII). Notably, during the Battle of Solebay in 1672, she engaged in a fierce two-hour duel with the Dutch flagship De Zeven Provinciën, during which she sustained heavy damage. The engagement was intense, and Captain Sir John Cox was killed aboard her. The Duke of York had to shift his flag to HMS St Michael amid the chaos. Her second captain, John Narborough, distinguished himself with conspicuous valor, earning knighthood shortly afterward. In 1692, HMS Prince was rebuilt by Robert Lee at Chatham Dockyard and was renamed HMS Royal William. Under this new identity, she participated in the Battle of Barfleur during the War of the Grand Alliance, where she belonged to the red squadron and carried the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell. She was the first ship to break the French line during the battle, marking a significant tactical achievement. A second rebuild occurred around 1714, overseen by John Naish at Chatham Dockyard, with her relaunch on 3 September 1719. After this, she remained laid up without active service until 1756, when she was reduced to an 84-gun second-rate ship. During the Seven Years' War, she participated in various notable campaigns, including the unsuccessful expedition against Rochefort in 1757, and the attack on Louisbourg in 1758, where she played a role in the capture of Quebec. She also served as Boscawen's flagship at Quiberon Bay in 1760 and cruised off Brest during the conflict. Royal William's active service concluded after the Seven Years' War, and she was broken up in 1813. Throughout her long career, HMS Prince/Royal William was a significant vessel, participating in key naval battles and embodying the evolution of ship design and naval warfare during the late 17th and 18th centuries.

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