USS Virginia was one of nine 74-gun warships authorized by the United States Congress on 29 April 1816. It was laid down at the Boston Navy Yard, in May 1822, was finished about May 1825, and was kept on the stocks. Naval policy and the expense involved discouraged launching or commissioning the 74s except when the national interest clearly required it. Virginia remained on the stocks at Boston until it was broken up there starting in 1874.