HMS Defiance (1675)

History
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
Name HMS Defiance
Builder Phineas Pett II, Chatham Dockyard
Launched 1675
Fate Broken up, 1749
General characteristics as built
Class and type 64-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen 890 tons
Length 117 ft (36 m) (keel)
Beam 37 ft 10 in (11.53 m)
Depth of hold 15 ft 10 in (4.83 m)
Propulsion Sails
Sail plan Full-rigged ship
Armament 64 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1695 rebuild
Class and type 64-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen 902 tons
Length 143 ft 10 in (43.84 m) (gundeck)
Beam 37 ft 11 in (11.56 m)
Depth of hold 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m)
Propulsion Sails
Sail plan Full-rigged ship
Armament 64 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1707 rebuild
Class and type 66-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen 949 tons
Length 146 ft 3+12 in (44.6 m) (gundeck)
Beam 38 ft 6 in (11.73 m)
Depth of hold 15 ft 9+12 in (4.8 m)
Propulsion Sails
Sail plan Full-rigged ship
Armament 66 guns of various weights of shot

HMS Defiance was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Phineas Pett II at Chatham Dockyard, and launched in 1675.

In the summer of 1678, Defiance was under the command of John Ernle.

She was rebuilt at Woolwich Dockyard in 1695, again as a 64-gun ship.

Defiance was part of a squadron under Vice-Admiral John Benbow in August 1702. In an action between Benbow's squadron and the squadron of the French Admiral Jean du Casse, Defiance under Captain Richard Kirkby was one of the ships that refused to engage. Along with Windsor, Defiance bore away from the French squadron after only two or three broadsides, and stood out of range. At his court-martial, Captain Kirkby was convicted of cowardice and sentenced to be shot.

In 1707, she was rebuilt for a second time, relaunching from Deptford Dockyard as a 66-gun third rate.

Defiance was reduced to a fourth rate in 1716.

On 30 August 1739, command of her was given to Captain John Trevor.

She was hulked in 1743 and was broken up in 1749.