HMS Europa ( 1765 ) HMS " Europa was a 64 - gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy , launched on 21 April 1765 at Lepe , Hampshire . She was renamed HMS " Europe in 1778 , and spent the rest of her career under this name . Completed too late to see service in the Seven Years ' War , most of " Europe " s service took place during the American War of Independence , supporting fleet movements and serving as the flagship for a number of admirals , including John Montagu , Molyneux Shuldham and Mariot Arbuthnot . During her time in North American waters she took part in the attack on Saint Pierre and Miquelon in 1778 , and the battles of Cape Henry on 16 March and the Chesapeake in 1781 . Her last notable commanders as the war drew to a close were John Duckworth and Arthur Phillip , the latter taking her to the East Indies before returning after the conclusion of the war . " Europe " was then reduced to ordinary in the draw down of the navy following the end of hostilities , and was not reactivated on the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars . She only returned to service in 1796 , recommissioning as a prison ship based at Plymouth , in which role she served out the remainder of the French Revolutionary Wars , and the Napoleonic Wars , finally being broken up in 1814 . Construction and commissioning . She was ordered from Henry Adams , of Lepe on 16 December 1761 , laid down at his yards in February 1762 , and launched there on 21 April 1765 . By this time the Seven Years ' War was over and she was ordered to be fitted for ordinary rather than entering active service immediately , a process completed by 5 May 1765 . She had received the name " Europa " on 18 April 1763 , while under construction . The outbreak of the American War of Independence led to a need for more ships , and an Admiralty order was issued on 19 September 1777 for her to be refitted and then prepared for sea . She was taken in hand at Portsmouth Dockyard , which had already been working on a small repair since October 1776 , and she was commissioned in September 1777 under her first captain , Timothy Edwards . She was renamed HMS " Europe " on 9 January 1778 , and completed her fitting out in March that year . Service . Edwards was succeeded by Captain Francis Parry in April 1778 , and " Europe " became the flagship of Vice - Admiral John Montagu , under whom she sailed for Newfoundland in May 1779 . She was part of the attack on Saint Pierre and Miquelon on 14 September 1778 , and later that month Parry was succeeded by Captain Thomas Davey , serving with Molyneux Shuldham ’ s squadron . In April 1779 she came under the command of Captain William Swiney , by now serving as the flagship of Vice - Admiral Mariot Arbuthnot , and after some time in home waters she sailed again for North America in May 1779 . Captain Smith Child took over command of " Europe " in August 1780 , and she participated in the battles of Cape Henry on 16 March and the Chesapeake on 5 September 1781 . During the Battle of the Chesapeake she formed the leading part of the centre division , along with the 74 - gun , and was heavily involved in the fighting . These two ships suffered heavy damage , with " Europe " in a leaking condition , with her rigging badly cut , and a number of guns dismounted . Nine members of her crew were killed , and a further 18 wounded . The British fleet eventually withdrew from the action . She was then paid off in March 1782 , undergoing a refit at Plymouth between May and September that year , during which time she was coppered . " Europe " was recommissioned in August 1782 under the command of Captain John Duckworth , with command passing the following year to Captain Arthur Phillip . He sailed to the East Indies in January 1783 , returning the following year and paying " Europe " off in May 1784 . She was fitted for ordinary at Plymouth in July 1784 , and spent the rest of the years of peace in this condition . French Revolutionary Wars . " Europa " was recommissioned during the French Revolutionary Wars , in July 1796 . She was used as a prison ship at Plymouth under Lieutenant John Gardiner , until being paid off again in September 1800 . Recommissioned again in September 1801 under Lieutenant Thomas Darracot , she again served as a prison ship until being paid off in March 1802 . Napoleonic Wars . She was again in service , still as a prison ship , between November 1804 and December 1809 , under Lieutenant William Styles , and was briefly commissioned in 1814 under Lieutenant John Mills Mudge . " Europe " was finally broken up at Plymouth in July 1814 .