HMS Royal James was a first-rate ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, launched in 1671. The ship had an illustrious career, serving in various battles and campaigns, including the Third Anglo-Dutch War and the Franco-Dutch War. In 1672, Royal James was involved in the Battle of Solebay, where it sustained significant damage. The ship was later rebuilt and continued to serve in the navy, participating in the Battle of Schooneveld in 1673. Tragically, in 1665, HMS Royal James caught fire and exploded during the Battle of Solebay, resulting in the loss of the ship and many crew members. The ship's destruction was a significant blow to the English fleet at the time. Despite its tragic end, HMS Royal James remains a notable vessel in naval history, representing the power and importance of first-rate ships of the line during the age of sail.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.