Fortitude, 1780
Type: 3rd rate ; Armament 74
Launched : 1780 ; Disposal date or year : 1820
Disposal Details : BU
BM: 1645 tons
Complement: 584
Notes:

Apr / May 1793 Sailed under the command of Captain William Young, as a part of a squadron for the Mediterranean Fleet, then to be based off Toulon.

5 Feb 1794 sent to the gulf of San-Fiorenzo with troops to secure the anchorage, where the seamen do wonders with ropes, Captain William Young.

2 Apr 1794, sailed for Bastia, arriving on the 4th, which place was subsequently taken on 21 May.

Early Aug 1794, Fortitude, Captain William Young, departed Bastia with Lord Hood in the Victory in pursuit of a French squadron, which sought safety of Gourjean bay. Leaving a squadron to blockade the French the Admiral returned to Corsica to continue operations. Due to stormy weather driving the British out to sea the French squadron was able return to Toulon.

9 Mar 1795, the Mediterranean fleet sailed from Leghorn, sighting the French fleet the following day. At daylight on the 13th Adm Hotham sent out the signal for a general chase which ended the following day with the capture of the Ca-Ira and Censeur and the fleets heading off in opposite directions.

14 Jun 1795 the fleet, whilst on a cruise, was joined by a squadron from Gibraltar and England off Minorca.

8 Jul 1795, the fleet, at anchor at in San-Fiorenzo bay, once aware that the French fleet was close by, gave chase. It was sighted on the 13th and later the order was given for the general chase, but apart from the loss of a 74 by the French the result was inconclusive and resulted in not a little criticism, the consequence perhaps being Admiral Hotham's resignation on 1 Nov 1795.

25 Sep 1795, the Fortitude, Captain Thomas Taylor, Bedford, and Censeur, previously detached from the Mediterranean fleet, for England with a convoy, along with the frigates Argo, Juno, Lutine, and fireship Tisiphone. The Argo and Juno, with 32 sail of the convoy, parted company in the Gut.

7 Oct 1795, off Cape St.-Vincent the Fortitude, Bedford, and Censeur, Lutine, and Tisiphone with their convoy sighted a large French squadron, which sailed in chase. In the subsequent exchange the Censeur was recaptured by the French along with 30 ships of the convoy, the rest continuing their passage to England.

1 Jan 1799 prison ship at Portsmouth ; Lt. J. Gourley.

1805 Portsmouth in Ordinary ; Powder Magazine