Dates: 1763 - 1811
During the American War of Independence, Defence served with the Channel fleet, seeing action at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in 1780. She was sent out to India in early 1782 as part of a squadron of five ships under Commodore Sir Richard Bickerton, arriving too late for the battles of that year. But she took part in the last battle of the war, at Cuddalore in 1783. She returned to England at the end of 1785. She was then laid up during the years of peace until the French Revolution.
Recommissioned into the Channel Fleet under Captain James Gambier, she fought at the Glorious First of June in 1794, distinguishing herself in action against Mucius and Tourville, and becoming one of only two British ships to be completely dismasted in the battle. After repairs, she was sent to the Mediterranean, joining Admiral Hotham in time to take part in the Battle of Hyeres in July.
In 1798 she returned to the Mediterranean under Captain John Peyton, taking part in the Battle of the Nile in August.
On 1 July 1800, Defence, Fisgard, Renown and the hired armed cutter Lord Nelson were in Bourneuf Bay when they sent in their boats to attack a French convoy at Île de Noirmoutier. The British destroyed the French ship Therese (of 20 guns), a lugger (12 guns), two schooners (6 guns each) and a cutter (6 guns), of unknown names. The cutting out party also burned some 15 merchant vessels loaded with corn and supplies for the French fleet at Brest. However, in this enterprise, 92 officers and men out of the entire party of 192 men, fell prisoners to the French when their boats became stranded. Lord Nelson had contributed no men to the attacking force and so had no casualties. She did share in the head money with an able seaman receiving 3s 113/4d, and her commander receiving £6 8s 71/2, in 1825.
In 1801, Defence sailed to the Baltic under Captain Lord Henry Paulet with Admiral Hyde Parker’s fleet. She was present at the Battle of Copenhagen (1801), but did not see action as she was part of the reserve under Parker.
In 1805 she saw action again at the Battle of Trafalgar, where, under Captain George Johnstone Hope, she captured the San Ildefonso and fought the Berwick, suffering 36 casualties.
