HMS Edgar was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 30 June 1779 from Woolwich Dockyard. Built to slightly modified lines of the Arrogant class, which was designed by Sir Thomas Slade, she was part of a development that improved upon the earlier Bellona class. Her keel was laid on 26 August 1776, and she featured a figurehead with a white design accented in red and black, as recorded circa 1793. Throughout her active service, HMS Edgar participated in significant naval battles and operations. She first saw action at the Battle of Cape St Vincent in January 1780, engaging the Spanish fleet shortly after her commissioning under Captain John Elliot. She played a notable role in the capture of a large convoy in December 1781, intercepting French transports in the Bay of Biscay as part of Admiral Richard Kempenfelt’s squadron. Edgar also fought in the Battle of Cape Spartel in October 1782, which involved an encounter with the combined Franco-Spanish fleet. Her service during the American Revolutionary War included participation in these key engagements, and she spent subsequent years as a guardship and flagship, notably serving as Rear-Admiral John Leveson-Gower's flagship during a cruise off the Irish coast. Recommissioned in 1791, Edgar was active during the French Revolutionary Wars, capturing a French privateer, Dumourier, in April 1793, and escorting prize ships to port with considerable treasure onboard. She was part of the Channel Fleet under Admiral Sir Alan Gardner and took part in the Battle of Copenhagen in April 1801, where she led Vice-Admiral Nelson’s line and was the first to open fire. Her participation in this pivotal battle resulted in 31 killed and 115 wounded. Edgar served as a flagship again in 1805 off the Dutch coast and was involved in a mutiny attempt in 1808, which was suppressed with punishment for the mutineers. She also participated in operations in the Baltic, including capturing Danish gunboats in 1810 and supporting Spanish troops in Denmark. In 1808, she played a role in capturing Danish vessels during a boat action. In 1813, HMS Edgar was converted into a prison hulk, renamed Retribution in 1815, and served in this capacity until her decommissioning. After a 56-year career marked by participation in major naval conflicts and notable actions, she was ordered to be broken up in 1835, ending her distinguished service history.

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