HMS Gloucester (1711)

HMS Gloucester was a 50-gun fourth-rate ship of the line built at Deptford by Joseph Allin the elder for the Royal Navy in 1710/11. She participated in the War of the Spanish Succession. The ship was burned to prevent capture after she was damaged in a storm during Commodore George Anson's voyage around the world in 1742.

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

Gloucester
History
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
NameGloucester
Ordered29 July 1710
BuilderDeptford Dockyard
Launched4 October 1711
Commissioned1711
FateBurned to avoid capture, 1742
General characteristics (as built)
Class and type1706 Establishment 50-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen714 34⁄94 bm
Length130 ft 8 in (39.8 m) (Gundeck)
Beam35 ft 3 in (10.7 m)
Depth of hold14 ft (4.3 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement185–280
Armament
  • 50 guns:
  • Gundeck: 22 × 18-pdr cannon
  • Upper gundeck: 22 × 6-pdr cannon
  • Quarterdeck: 4 × 6-pdr cannon
  • Forecastle: 4 × 6-pdr cannon
General characteristics after 1737 rebuild
Class and type1733 proposals 50-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen863 tons bm
Length134 ft (40.8 m) (gundeck)
Beam38 ft 6 in (11.7 m)
Depth of hold15 ft 9 in (4.8 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • 50 guns:
  • Gundeck: 22 × 18 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 22 × 9 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 4 × 6 pdrs
  • Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs

Description

Gloucester had a length at the gundeck of 130 feet 8 inches (39.8 m) and 108 feet 1 inch (32.9 m) at the keel. She had a beam of 35 feet 3 inches (10.7 m) and a depth of hold of 14 feet (4.3 m). The ship's tonnage was 714 34⁄94 tons burthen.[1] Gloucester was armed with twenty-two 18-pounder cannon on her main gundeck, twenty-two 9-pounder cannon on her upper gundeck, and four 6-pounder cannon each on the quarterdeck and forecastle.[2] The ship had a crew of 185–280 officers and ratings.[3]

Construction and career

Gloucester, named after the eponymous port, was the fourth ship of her name to serve in the Royal Navy.[4] She was ordered on 29 July 1710 and was built by Master Shipwright Joseph Allin to the 1706 Establishment of dimensions at Deptford Dockyard.[2] The ship was launched on 4 October 1711 and commissioned that same year under Captain James Carlton for service in the English Channel.[1]

Gloucester was ordered to be dismantled to be rebuilt to the dimensions of the 1719 Establishment at Sheerness on 6 November 1724 and this was completed on 20 January 1725.[1] The rebuilding was suspended until 22 May 1733 when the ship was reordered to the 1733 revisions; she was relaunched on 22 March 1737.[5]

Fate

In 1742 Gloucester was damaged in a storm under Captain Matthew Michell, and she was burned in order to avoid her being captured.[5]

Notes
  1. Winfield 2009, p. 849.
  2. Lavery, p. 168.
  3. Winfield 2009, p. 839.
  4. Colledge, p. 143
  5. Lavery, p. 171.

References
  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
  • Lavery, Brian (1983). The Ship of the Line. Vol. 1: The Development of the Battlefleet 1650-1850. London: 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. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-040-6.
  • Winfield, Rif (2007). British Warships in the Age of Sail, 1714-1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84415-700-6.
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