Namur 1697

Launched in 1697, this 2nd Rate would be first to bear the name Namur, which would become a legendary name with the Royal Navy. with 680 men, 90 guns, Namur was considered to be one of the more powerful warships in the world at the time, during her career she spend many years as a flagship of fleets or squadrons, patrolling the channel or Mediterranean sea.. in 1704 the French Navy attempted to link up with a spanish squadron to retake gibraltar posing a serious threat to the Royal Navy if lost or the French and Spanish could gather, a Anglo-Dutch fleet under Sir George Rooke in the 96 gun Royal Katherine was sent to intercept the French force. during resulting battle of Malaga, Namur under Christopher Myngs was made the flagship of the Vanguard squadron, during the heavy fighting that ensued, Namur held firm and backed by HMS Barfleur and the fleet, the Royal Navy and Dutch managed to drive the French Navy back to France, both fleets suffered heavy casualties and extensive damage Including Namur, however the result of the battle meant the French never again attempted to leave port for the rest of the war and Gibraltar was saved from Invasion.

The rest of Namur's career was quiet she continued, patrolling enemy ports, and making a show of force, part of the reason the French continued to stay in port til the war was over.
However wars don't last forever and by 1714 the war had ended, Namur hadn't seem much action after Malaga and with the French in port she was laid up in 1706, and remained so till 1716 when she was Razeed to the middle gundeck, making her one of the earliest 3 deckers Razeed to a two decker. However she never was comissioned in this new form, remaining in Ordinary till 1723 when she was broken up.