HMS Prince William was a 64-gun third-rate ship of the line in the Royal Navy, originally built as the Spanish armed vessel Guipuzcoano, also known as Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. She was a formidable vessel, armed with 64 guns, and was initially part of the Guipuzcoan Company's merchant convoy fleet, serving as the flagship under Commodore Don Juan Agustín de Yardi. During a convoy escort from San Sebastián to Cádiz in late 1779, Guipuzcoano encountered a large British fleet under Admiral Sir George Rodney near Cape Finisterre. In the ensuing engagement on 8 January 1780, Rodney captured the entire convoy, including Guipuzcoano. Recognized for her value, the Royal Navy acquired her, renamed her HMS Prince William in honor of Prince William, and fitted her out at Portsmouth between April and August 1780. She was coppered and commissioned under Captain Stair Douglas, joining the Channel Fleet. Her service in the West Indies was notable; she participated in major battles such as the capture of Sint Eustatius, the Battle of Fort Royal, and the Battle of Saint Kitts. She also fought in the decisive Battle of the Saintes in April 1782, where she served as the last ship in the van division and escaped without casualties. Throughout her active career, HMS Prince William engaged in significant naval actions during the American War of Independence, under various commanders, including Captain George Wilkinson and Captain William Merrick. She spent time in North American waters, blockaded French territories, and returned to Britain in 1783. After her active service, she was converted into a sheer hulk at Portsmouth in 1790, and later served as a receiving ship by 1811. She remained in service through the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars until she was broken up in September 1817. Her career reflects the transition of ships from active combat vessels to support roles, embodying the maritime practices of 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.