HMS Charles was a formidable 96-gun first-rate ship of the line constructed for the Royal Navy in the late 17th century. Built at Deptford Dockyard by Christopher Pett, her construction began before March 1668, with Pett overseeing the process until his death that month. The vessel was then completed by Jonas Shish and launched in March 1668. Initially named Charles the Second, she was commonly referred to as Charles, particularly after 1673 when the newer Royal Charles was launched. The ship's armament and size positioned her as a significant component of the Royal Navy’s battlefleet. In 1687, she was renamed HMS St George and reclassified as a second-rate ship in 1691. Between 1699 and 1701, she underwent a major rebuild at Portsmouth Dockyard, emerging as a 90-gun second-rate vessel, reflecting the evolving naval standards and her continued importance. HMS St George participated in notable historical events during her service. In 1707, she was part of Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell’s fleet. Under Captain James Lord Dursley, she engaged in the ill-fated Battle of Toulon and was present during the disaster off the Isles of Scilly, where Shovell and four other ships (Association, Firebrand, Romney, and Eagle) were lost, resulting in nearly 2,000 sailor fatalities. During this incident, St George herself struck rocks near the Isles but managed to free herself. Her service life included another major rebuild at Portsmouth between 1726 and 1740, based on the 1733 proposals of the 1719 Establishment. Launched anew in April 1740, she continued serving until she was ultimately broken up in September 1774. Throughout her long career, HMS Charles/St George exemplified the evolution of naval architecture and the tumultuous history of Royal Navy battles during her era.

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