HMS Belleisle was originally the French East Indiaman Bertin, launched in 1760, before being captured by the British Royal Navy in April 1761. The capture involved HMS Hero and HMS Venus, which sent Bertin into Plymouth, where the Royal Navy purchased her. After acquisition, she was commissioned as a third-rate ship of the line. The vessel underwent fitting in August 1761 and again in 1762, during which she participated in prize-taking activities. Notably, she shared in the prize money awarded for the capture of the French East Indiaman St Priest in March 1762. Her service was relatively brief as she was paid off in July 1763. Following her decommissioning, Belleisle was repurposed multiple times. She was fitted as a guard ship at Plymouth in January 1764 and served as a troopship in May 1765 and again in March 1768. Between 1771 and 1772, she received repairs at Plymouth, indicating ongoing maintenance and readiness for service. During this period, she was also fitted with an all-carronade armament and received masts from a 60-gun ship, reflecting modifications for combat or patrol roles. Throughout the late 1770s, Belleisle was refitted multiple times, serving again as a guard ship and undergoing preparations for East Indies service. She was also fitted for duty at Plymouth in April and June 1778, and again in February 1779. Her final major service involved her being converted to a lazarette in 1784, marking a shift from active combat or patrol duties to a quarantine or hospital role. Eventually, Belleisle was transferred to Customs and struck from the Navy List. She was sold on 3 February 1819, ending her maritime career. Her varied service history, from a captured merchant vessel to a guard ship, troopship, and lazarette, illustrates her adaptability and the versatile use of ships within the Royal Navy during the 18th century.

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