English ship Antelope (1651)

The Antelope was a 56-gun great frigate of the navy of the Commonwealth of England, launched at Woolwich Dockyard in 1652. Notwithstanding the term "frigate", this was the largest of the warships ordered by the Commonwealth, and was eventually classed as a second rate.

For other ships with the same name, see Antelope (ship) and HMS Antelope.

History
Commonwealth Navy EnsignEngland
NameAntelope
Ordered8 August 1651
BuilderWoolwich Dockyard
LaunchedSpring 1652
FateWrecked, 30 September 1652
General characteristics [1]
Class and type56-gun third rate great frigate
Tons burthen828 tons
Length120 ft (36.6 m) (keel)
Beam36 ft (11.0 m)
Depth of hold16 ft (4.9 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement250 (or possibly more)
Armament56 guns of various weights of shot

The Antelope was fitted out in July 1652, and sailed from Woolwich in August. She was commissioned under Captain Andrew Ball, and deployed to the Danish coast to convoy merchantmen from the Sound. She sailed for home on 27 September but was wrecked off Jutland at around 3 o'clock in the morning of 30 September 1652, in bad weather. Most of her crew were saved.

Notes
  1. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p159.

References
  • Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.
  • Winfield, Rif (2009) British Warships in the Age of Sail 1603-1714: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-040-6.


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