|   Model of a 74-gun ship, 3rd rate, circa 1760. Thought to be either HMS Hercules or HMS Thunderer from 1760. | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Hercules | 
| Operators: |  Royal Navy | 
| Preceded by: | Dublin class | 
| Succeeded by: | Bellona class | 
| In service: | 15 March 1759 - 1784 | 
| Completed: | 2 | 
| Lost: | 1 | 
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Ship of the line | 
| Length: | 
 | 
| Beam: | 46 ft 6 in (14.17 m) | 
| Propulsion: | Sails | 
| Armament: | 
 | 
| Notes: | Ships in class include: Hercules, Thunderer | 
The Hercules class ships of the line were a class of two 74-gun third rates, designed for the Royal Navy by Sir Thomas Slade.
The Hercules class ships were a development on Slade's previous two designs: the Dublin-class, and the subsequent one-off HMS Hero.