HMS Ranelagh was a three-decker 80-gun third rate ship of the line

Ship of the line

A ship of the line was a type of naval warship constructed from the 17th through the mid-19th century to take part in the naval tactic known as the line of battle, in which two columns of opposing warships would manoeuvre to bring the greatest weight of broadside guns to bear...

 of the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

, launched at Deptford Dockyard on 25 June 1697. She took part in a number of actions during the War of the Spanish Succession

War of the Spanish Succession

The War of the Spanish Succession was fought among several European powers, including a divided Spain, over the possible unification of the Kingdoms of Spain and France under one Bourbon monarch. As France and Spain were among the most powerful states of Europe, such a unification would have...

, including the Battle of Vigo

Battle of Vigo

The Battle of Vigo may refer to:* Battle of Vigo Bay, which took place in 1702 as part of the War of the Spanish Successcion* Capture of Vigo, a British operation to capture the city in 1719 as part of the War of the Quadruple Alliance...

 in 1702 and the Battle of Vélez-Málaga in 1704.

On 20 August 1723 she was ordered to be taken to pieces and rebuilt according to the 1719 Establishment

1719 Establishment

The 1719 Establishment was the first formal 'Establishment' laid down to govern the construction of all ships built or rebuilt down to those of 20 carriage guns, whether in the Royal Dockyards or by commercial contractors...

 at Woolwich

Woolwich

Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...

. She was renamed HMS Princess Caroline in 1728 (while rebuilding). She was relaunched on 15 March 1731.

The Princess Caroline continued in service until 1764, when she was broken up.