   {|    |} hms defiance was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the royal navy, built by randall and co., at rotherhithe on the river thames, and launched on 10 december 1783. ==history== she was commissioned by lt m.t. hewitt for captain george keppel. he sailed her with the channel fleet during september and october 1796 at which time it was reported that, her qualifications are described as having been of a very superior order. she stowed her provisions well, and when sailing with the channel fleet in september and october, 1796, beat all the line of battle ships, and kept pace with the frigates. " upon a wind," rays the master's report, " spared them" (the line of battle ships) " main-sail and top-gallant sails, and sailing two or three points free or before the wind, beat them still more." at this time the defiance's draught of water forward was 20 feet 5 inches; aft, 22 feet 5 inches; height of the midship port, 5 feet 8 inches. her masts were stayed thus: "foremast nearly upright, main and mizenmasts rake aft."the united service magazine, london, 1844, p.98 her crew mutinied three times, firstly in october 1795, when she was under the command of captain sir george home. he initially had to release the ringleaders when the ratings attempted to storm the officer's quarters, but later these and additional mutineers were put in irons when,
1783_ships Elizabeth-class_ships_of_the_line Rotherhithe-built_ships Royal_Navy_mutinies Ships_of_the_line_of_the_Royal_Navy