**DEFINITION:**
HMS Howe (1805) was a 120-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1805. She served during the Napoleonic Wars and was one of the largest warships of her time.
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**HMS Howe (1805)**
HMS Howe was a first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1805. Armed with 120 guns, she was among the most powerful warships of the early 19th century. Designed for fleet engagements, Howe played a role during the Napoleonic Wars, although she saw limited active combat. The ship was part of the Royal Navy’s efforts to maintain naval supremacy during a period of intense maritime conflict. After several decades of service, HMS Howe was eventually decommissioned and broken up.
### Design and Construction
HMS Howe was built at the Portsmouth Dockyard and launched in 1805. As a first-rate ship, she carried 120 guns distributed across three gun decks. Her design emphasized firepower and durability, intended to serve as a flagship in major naval battles.
### Service History
During her operational life, HMS Howe was primarily assigned to fleet duties and blockades. Despite her formidable armament, she did not participate in any major battles but contributed to the Royal Navy’s dominance at sea during the Napoleonic Wars.
### Decommissioning
Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars and changes in naval technology, HMS Howe was gradually phased out. She was decommissioned and broken up in the mid-19th century, marking the end of her service.
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**META_DESCRIPTION:**
HMS Howe (1805) was a 120-gun first-rate Royal Navy ship of the line, launched during the Napoleonic Wars. She served primarily in fleet duties before being decommissioned in the mid-19th century.