HMS Hibernia was a formidable 110-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Plymouth dockyard on 17 November 1804. She was uniquely built to her specific draught, designed by Sir John Henslow, making her a distinctive vessel of her time. As a first-rate, she represented the pinnacle of naval firepower and grandeur, featuring multiple decks equipped to carry a large complement of artillery. In her early years, HMS Hibernia experienced a significant incident on 11 January 1806 when she capsized in the Wembury River, likely near the River Yealm off Wembury, Devon, resulting in the tragic loss of 19 crew members. She was subsequently refloated, repaired, and returned to active service. During the Napoleonic Wars, between 1807 and 1808, she played a notable role under the command of Sir William Sidney Smith, leading the British escort of the Portuguese Royal Family during their transfer to Brazil, highlighting her importance in diplomatic and military operations. From 1816 until 1855, HMS Hibernia served as the flagship of the British Mediterranean Fleet, based in Grand Harbour, Malta. Her long tenure in this role underscored her significance in maintaining British naval dominance in the Mediterranean. Beyond her flagship duties, she undertook varied responsibilities, including transporting convicts to New South Wales. Notably, in 1818–1819, she carried 160 male convicts from Portsmouth to Sydney, along with passengers such as Richard Hill, the first Minister of St James' Church in Sydney. HMS Hibernia was also involved in notable maritime events, including hosting the ten-day court-martial in 1893 for officers and crew of HMS Victoria following her sinking after a collision with HMS Camperdown. She was sold for £1,010 in 1902 to Michele Apap and dismantled at Pietà in 1903. Her legacy endures through artifacts such as her figurehead, displayed at the Malta Maritime Museum, and a statue of the Virgin Mary carved from her main mast, now housed in the Collegiate Parish Church of St Paul's Shipwreck in Valletta.

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