HMS Implacable in her final days von umbry101
Über Flickr:
A striking example of the lack of respect this country has for its naval history and heritage. HMS Implacable was built in France between 1794-1800 and began life as the French 86-gun ship of the line Duguay-Trouin. She fought in the French fleet at Trafalgar, and was one of only 4 French ships to avoid capture during the battle, withdrawing from the action when her captain realised the battle was lost. She did however, have the honour of firing several broadsides at HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship during the battle.
She was eventually captured several weeks later in a fierce fight in which her captain was killed and her masts shot away. She was brought back to England, repaired and refitted as a 3rd-rate 74-gun ship and renamed HMS Implacable on being commissioned into the Royal Navy. during 1808-09 she fought against her former masters, and in 1839-40 took part in actions against the Egyptians. She was moored in Portsmouth during the second world war, and, like her former adversary HMS Victory , survived that conflict unscathed. But in 1947, she was sunk with full honours by the French and Royal Navy after no one was able to keep her.
