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ILLUSTRIOUS
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(74) |
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Built in 1789, Bucklers Hard.
Wrecked in 1795. |
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- 1791 Capt. Charles POLE.
- 1794 Capt. Thomas Lennox FREDERICK.
- On 8 March 1795 ILLUSTRIOUS was lying in Livorno roads with Ad. HOTHAM's fleet of 14 sail of the line and 6 frigates when MOSELLE appeared in the offing with news of an enemy fleet.
On the 10th. the French were sighted working back to Toulon and when it became obvious that they had no intention of stopping to fight a signal for General Chase was made on the 13th. CA-IRA, which had damaged herself in a collision, and CENSEUR, which had taken her in tow, were captured by BEDFORD and CAPTAIN while COURAGEUX and ILLUSTRIOUS kept the enemy's van at bay. Taking in tow the dismasted ships and prizes the British fleet made for La Spezia.
The ILLUSTRIOUS, badly damaged, having parted company in tow of MELEAGER, anchored in Valence Bay to shelter from very bad weather but parted her cables and, when all efforts to save her failed, she was set on fire. All her crew and part of her stores were saved.
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