HMS Royal James was a 100-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1671. This ship played a significant role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars and the Third Anglo-Dutch War in the late 17th century. It was one of the largest warships of its time, measuring 165 feet in length and displacing over 1,400 tons. HMS Royal James participated in several major naval engagements, including the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665 and the Raid on the Medway in 1667. The ship was lost during the Battle of Solebay in 1672 when it caught fire and exploded. The loss of HMS Royal James was a significant blow to the Royal Navy, leading to the capture of several other ships and the death of many crew members. The sinking of HMS Royal James marked the end of an era for large, unwieldy warships and highlighted the need for improved safety measures in naval warfare.

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