HMS Hastings was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line constructed for the Honourable East India Company in Calcutta, later acquired by the Royal Navy. Built with high-quality teak woods such as saul, sissoo, Pegue, and Java teak, her design followed Sir Robert Seppings's principles, ensuring both longitudinal and transverse support for enhanced durability and stability. Her construction cost was approximately 8,71,406 Sicca rupees (£108,938), with the full readiness expenses bringing the total to about Sa.Rs. 8,71,406 (£116,375). The vessel was funded by subscriptions from Calcutta merchants and patriotic individuals, reflecting local investment in maritime strength. HMS Hastings’s maiden voyage commenced under Captain John Hayes on 28 March 1818, departing from Calcutta. She sailed via Madras, reaching Port Louis in July, then proceeded to St. Helena in September, and finally arrived at The Downs in November of that year. The Admiralty purchased her on 22 June 1819, at a cost roughly half of her original construction expense, possibly undervalued due to local rivalries with Thames shipbuilders. Throughout her service, Hastings played notable roles, including transporting Lord John Lambton, the then-governor, to Canada in 1838, arriving at Quebec on 27 May. She participated in combat operations, notably fighting Chinese pirates at the Battle of Tonkin River between October 20–22, 1849. In 1855, she was retrofitted with screw propulsion, marking a significant technological upgrade. By 1857, HMS Hastings was deployed to Liverpool for coastal defense duties, later transitioning to the Royal Naval Reserve as a training ship. After nearly seven decades of service, the vessel was sold out of the navy in 1886. Her long operational history, from her construction in India to her role in maritime defense and training, underscores her significance as a durable and adaptable warship of the 19th 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.