HMS Newcastle (1750)

HMS Newcastle was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Peirson Lock at Portsmouth Dockyard and launched in 1750 for active service during the Seven Years' War against France. Principally engaged in defending British settlements in India, she was wrecked in a storm off Pondicherry in January 1761.

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

History
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
NameHMS Newcastle
Ordered11 November 1745
BuilderPeirson Lock, Portsmouth Dockyard
Laid down17 June 1746
Launched4 December 1750
CommissionedMarch 1755
In service1755–1761
FateWrecked off Pondicherry, 1 January 1761
General characteristics
Class and type1745 Establishment 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen105246⁄94(bm)
Length
  • 144 ft (43.9 m) (gundeck)
  • 117 ft 8 in (35.9 m) (keel)
Beam41 ft 0 in (12.5 m)
Depth of hold17 ft 8 in (5.4 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement350
Armament
  • Gundeck: 22 × 24-pounder guns
  • Upper deck: 22 × 12-pounder guns
  • Quarterdeck: 4 × 6-pounder guns
  • Forecastle: 2 × 6-pounder guns

Fate

On 1 January 1761, a cyclone off Pondicherry, drove Newcastle, HMS Queenborough, and HMS Protector onshore, where they wrecked. Newcastle was able to leave harbour, but the wind shifted, impeding her and eventually driving her ashore two miles south of Pondicherry. The same storm also caught HMS Duc D'Aquitaine and HMS Sunderland. They tried to get out to open water, but were unable to. When they anchored the sea overwhelmed them and they both foundered, each with the loss of almost all on board.[1] The former Captain, Sir Digby Dent, survived, having transferred command to Captain Richard Collins exactly one year before. Collins also survived the wreck.[2]

Notes
  1. Hepper (1994), p.44-5.
  2. "Sir Digby Dent (1739-1817)".

References
  • Hepper, David J. (1994). British Warship Losses in the Age of Sail, 1650–1859. Rotherfield: Jean Boudriot. ISBN 0-948864-30-3.
  • 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.


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