HMS Nottingham (1703)

HMS Nottingham was a 60-gun fourth-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Deptford Dockyard and launched on 10 June 1703.[1] She was the first ship to bear the name.

Action between HMS Nottingham and the Mars by Charles Dixon. Mars was returning to France after the failed Duc d'Anville Expedition, 11 October 1746
History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Nottingham
Builder	Harding, Deptford Dockyard
Launched	10 June 1703
Honours and awards	Second Battle of Cape Finisterre, 1747 Battle of Cabrita Point
Fate	Sunk as a breakwater, 1773
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type	60-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	924 bm
Length	145 ft 9.5 in (44.4 m) (gundeck)
Beam	38 ft (11.6 m)
Depth of hold	15 ft 11 in (4.9 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Complement	365 officers and men
Armament	60 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1719 rebuild[2]
Class and type	1706 Establishment 60-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	928 bm
Length	144 ft (43.9 m) (gundeck)
Beam	38 ft (11.6 m)
Depth of hold	15 ft 8 in (4.8 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	60 guns: Gundeck: 24 × 24 pdrs Upper gundeck: 26 × 9 pdrs Quarterdeck: 8 × 6 pdrs Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs
General characteristics after 1745 rebuild[3]
Class and type	1733 proposals 60-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	1,077 bm
Length	144 ft (43.9 m) (gundeck)
Beam	41 ft 5 in (12.6 m)
Depth of hold	16 ft 11 in (5.2 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	60 guns: Gundeck: 24 × 24 pdrs Upper gundeck: 26 × 9 pdrs Quarterdeck: 8 × 6 pdrs Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs

Commissioned under Captain Samuel Whitaker, she formed part of Admiral Cloudesley Shovell's fleet that sailed with Admiral Rooke to attack and take the formidable Rock of Gibraltar in 1704. The ship also saw action in the Battle of Cabrita point in March 1705 and in the Mediterranean in 1711.

Nottingham was rebuilt according to the 1706 Establishment at Deptford, from where she was relaunched on 5 October 1719.[2] On 18 May 1739, orders were issued directing that Nottingham be taken to pieces and rebuilt according to the 1733 proposals of the 1719 Establishment at Sheerness, from where she was relaunched on 17 August 1745.[3]

The ship, when captained by Philip Saumarez,[4] also attacked and captured the French ship Mars, which was returning to France after the failed Duc d'Anville Expedition, 11 October 1746. Nottingham took Augustin de Boschenry de Drucour captive.

Nottingham gained more success with the capture of the French 74-gun Magnanime on 31 January 1748 under Captain Robert Harland.[5]

Nottingham continued in service until 1773, when she was sunk to form part of a breakwater.[3]

Shown here as a member Sir George Pocock's Blue Squadron, circa 1762