HMS Edgar (1668)

HMS Edgar was a 72-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Baylie of Bristol and launched in 1668.[1] The diarist and naval administrator Samuel Pepys visited the town during its construction, noting that in his opinion, "it will be a fine ship".[4] By 1685 she was carrying 74 guns.[1]

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Edgar.

History
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
NameHMS Edgar
BuilderBaylie, Bristol
Launched1668
FateBurnt, 1711
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type72-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen994
Length124 ft (38 m) (keel)
Beam39 ft 10 in (12.14 m)
Depth of hold16 ft (4.9 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament72 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1700 rebuild[2]
Class and type70-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen1199 tons
Length153 ft 6 in (46.79 m) (gundeck)
Beam39 ft 9 in (12.12 m)
Depth of hold15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament70 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1709 rebuild[3]
Class and type1706 Establishment 70-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen1120 tons
Length150 ft (46 m) (gundeck)
Beam41 ft (12 m)
Depth of hold17 ft 4 in (5.28 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • 70 guns:
  • Gundeck: 26 × 24 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 26 × 12 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 14 × 6 pdrs
  • Forecastle: 4 × 6 pdrs

In May 1689 Edgar saw action in the Nine Years' War under the command of Cloudesley Shovell, who later became Admiral of the Fleet and after injuries in the Scilly naval disaster of 1707 he would die.[5] During this war, Edgar was present at the first fight of the Battle of Bantry Bay when a French fleet was landing troops against King William III.[5]

In 1700 Edgar underwent a rebuild at Portsmouth Dockyard as a 70-gun ship.[2] She was rebuilt for a second time by Burchett of Rotherhithe as a 70-gun ship to the 1706 Establishment, relaunching on 31 March 1709.[3]

Edgar was destroyed by fire at Spithead, Hampshire in 1711.[3][6] All on board perished. The wrecked was cleared in May 1844.[6]

32-pounder salvaged in 1844, 133 years after the sinking, now on display at the Tower of London

Notes
  1. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p161.
  2. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p166.
  3. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p168.
  4. Pepys, Samuel (15 December 2000). The Diary of Samuel Pepys, Vol. 9: 1668-1669. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520227019 – via Google Books.
  5. "www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk - The legacy of Sir Cloudsley Shovel". Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
  6. "Operations Against the Wreck of the Edgar at Spithead". The Times. No. 18612. London. 17 May 1844. col C, p. 6.

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.
  • Maps made by; Heather (1797), Faden (1796), Bellin (1762)


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