Mars-class ship of the line

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Mars (1794), Centaur (1797).jpg
Mars (1794), Centaur (1797)
Class overview
NameMars
OperatorsNaval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy
Preceded by Courageuxclass
Succeeded by Ajaxclass
In service25 October 1794–1823
Completed2
General characteristics
Type Ship of the line
Length
  • 176 ft (54 m) (gundeck)
  • 144 ft 3 in (43.97 m) (keel)
Beam49 ft (15 m)
PropulsionSails
Armament
  • 74 guns:
  • Gundeck: 28 × 32 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 30 × 24 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 12 × 9 pdrs
  • Forecastle: 4 × 9 pdrs
NotesShips in class include: Mars, Centaur

The Mars-class ships of the line were a class of two 74-gun third rates of the large class ships of the line, designed for the Royal Navy by Sir John Henslow.

The two ships of the Mars class were the first large 74s since the Valiantclass of 1759, carrying the heavier armament of 24 pdrs on their upper decks, as opposed to the 18 pdrs of the middling and common classes.

Ships

Builder: Deptford Dockyard
Ordered: 17 January 1788
Launched: 25 October 1794
Fate: Broken up, 1823
Builder: Woolwich Dockyard
Ordered: 17 January 1788
Launched: 14 March 1797
Fate: Broken up, 1819

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