Nelson's flagship on the Nile, HMS Vanguard, was the fifth naval vessel to bear the name. Nelson's Vanguard was designed by Sir Thomas Slade (of Victory fame) and was one of fourteen 74-gun third-class ships that made up the (very successful) Arrogant class. Vanguard was commissioned on 9 December 1779, laid down at Deptford Dockyard on 16 October 1782 and launched on 6 March 1787. At the time of the Battle of the Nile in 1798, the Vanguard may also have carried 6 carronades on the quarterdeck, and it is quite possible that some of the 9-pounders on the upper deck were also replaced by carronades, as these weapons proved devastatingly effective in close combat. Length built: 117 cm. Width 48.6 cm. Height 89.5 cm.
