HMS Elephant was a Royal Navy 74-gun third-rate ship of the line launched in 1776. The ship had a significant career during the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolutionary Wars. Noteworthy battles include the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1780 and the Battle of Camperdown in 1797. HMS Elephant was also involved in the capture of several French and Dutch ships. The ship went through various refits and repairs, including being converted to a prison ship in 1810. HMS Elephant was eventually broken up in 1814. The ship had a long and active service history, participating in key naval engagements of the late 18th century. Its role as a third-rate ship of the line showcased the importance of large, heavily armed vessels in naval warfare during this era. The HMS Elephant's legacy lives on through its contributions to British naval history and its role in shaping naval tactics and strategy during the Age of Sail.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.