HMS Arrogant was a prominent 74-gun third-rate ship of the line constructed of Suffolk oak by shipbuilder John Barnard, and launched on 22 January 1761 at King's Yard in Harwich. As the first vessel of the Arrogant-class, she was designed by Sir Thomas Slade, reflecting the advanced naval architecture of her time. The ship featured a classic three-deck configuration typical of 74-gun ships, optimized for both firepower and maneuverability in fleet actions. Her service history includes participation in significant naval engagements and deployments. Under her first captain, John Amherst, Arrogant served as a formidable element in the Royal Navy's line of battle. Notably, she was present at the Battle of the Saintes on 12 April 1782, where she was positioned second in line during the main attack against the French fleet. During this engagement, she was commanded by Captain Samuel Cornish under Admiral George Rodney's overall leadership, contributing to a decisive British victory. In addition to battle, Arrogant served in various roles including a guard ship at Portsmouth in 1770, and later as part of the British squadron in the East Indies. In 1795, she shared in the proceeds from the detention of Dutch vessels at Plymouth following the outbreak of war with the Netherlands. She actively participated in the action of 8 September 1796 and was involved in the defense of Macau during the Macau Incident in January 1799. Her operational duties extended to the Sunda Strait in May 1800, where she captured the privateer L'Uni and recaptured the American ship Friendship off Masulipatam under Captain Osborne. By 1804, HMS Arrogant had been downgraded to a hulk at Bombay, serving as a receiving ship, sheer hulk, and floating battery. She was condemned as unfit for further service in 1810 and sold out of service at Bombay the same year. Her later fate remains unclear, with possibilities including being broken up or repurposed as an Indian vessel. HMS Arrogant's distinguished career highlights her as a significant vessel within the Royal Navy's line during the late 18th and early 19th 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.