HMS Defence was a Royal Navy ship launched in 1815, serving as a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line. It participated in various naval operations, including the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 under the name HMS Windsor Castle. Renamed to HMS Defence in 1815, the ship saw action in the War of 1812 against the United States. In 1816, it was decommissioned and served as a target ship for gunnery practice. The ship was eventually sold for scrap in 1861, ending its long and eventful naval career. HMS Defence played a significant role in British naval history, showcasing the evolution of naval warfare during the early 19th century.

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