Dates: 1788 - 137

By 1805 she was in service with the Channel Fleet under Captain Richard Grindall. At the Battle of Trafalgar, in October that year, she was passed by her whole division, and took over two hours to cover the two or three miles to reach the battle. By the time she arrived most of the enemy fleet was in British hands or had fled, leaving few targets for Prince’s massive broadsides. She did fire on the Spanish flagship Principe de Asturias and Achille, but was not attacked and suffered no damage or casualties.

Whilst engaging Prince, Achille’s fore top caught fire, and the next broadside against her brought her blazing main mast down, engulfing the ship in flames. At this point, knowing that Achille’s fate was sealed and making the most of his unique position, Grindall ceased firing and wore round to clear her, before placing boats in the water to rescue French seamen from Achille and elsewhere. This proved hazardous: Achille’s abandoned but loaded guns were set off by the intense heat now raging below decks, and she exploded at 5:45 pm, by which point only 100 men had been rescued from her. Nonetheless, Prince and nearby British ships were able to rescue hundreds of sailors from the water.

In the week of ferocious storms which followed the battle the sturdy Prince was invaluable, providing replacement stores to more battered ships, towing those that needed it, and saving many men from the heavily-damaged other ships. She and the other undamaged British ships saved many others that would otherwise have sunk and at one point saved 350 men from the sinking Santíssima Trinidad who would otherwise have drowned, taking them to Gibraltar. Upon arrival there, however, she was ready to sail again in a matter of hours.

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving HMS Prince

" I am trying to discover any information about the survivors of the HMS Prince of Wales,torpedoed and sank by the Japanese during WW2. I have/had an uncle who survived the sinking,I know this to be a fact as I met him when I was a youngster. I tried the HMS Prince of Wales’s web site,survivors list ..."

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" New carriers....HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales due to enter service 2012 and 2015.  To be  between 55,000t and 65,000t...crew 1200 including 600 aircrew. Where are they going to find the personnel to man them??....get rid of all the destroyers and frigates!! [CVF_20.jpg]"

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" We are not wholly dependent on foreigners for our defence needs. The Ministry Of Defence will next week finally give the go-ahead for the construction of two aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. The £3.8 billion programme means the giant vessels.HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales,should ..."

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" As it now seems permisable to cope & paste this is what made me think the French were just paying for research & developmen. Have a read & make your own mind up. Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) Project Information The UK is procuring two new Aircraft Carriers for the Royal Navy - HMS QUEEN ..."

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" MPs have voiced concerns that delays in the construction of a £4bn project to build 2 new aircraft carriers (CVF) at sites including Swan Hunter on Tyneside, Govan in Glasgow, Rosyth in Fife, and Portsmouth could lead to job losses. Defence Secretary Des Browne confirmed last month that HMS Queen ..."

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