English ship Pelican (1650)

The Pelican was one of six 40-gun fourth-rate frigates, built for the Commonwealth of England under the 1650 Programme. After commissioning she partook in the First Anglo-Dutch War being present at the Battles of Kentish Knock, Portland, the Gabbard and Scheveningen. She was accidentally burnt at Portsmouth in early 1656.[1][2]

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

History
Commonwealth Navy EnsignCommonwealth of England
NamePelican
OrderedDecember 1649
BuilderJohn Taylor, Wapping
Launched1650
Commissioned1650
Honours and
awards
  • Kentish Knock 1652
  • Portland 1653
  • Gabbard 1653
  • Scheveninged 1653
FateAccidentally burnt at Portsmouth 13 February 1656
General characteristics
Class and type42-gun Fourth-rate
Tons burthen516+64⁄94 tons (bm)
Length100 ft 0 in (30.5 m) keel for tonnage
Beam30 ft 8 in (9.3 m)
Depth of hold15 ft 4 in (4.7 m)
Sail planship-rigged
Complement180 personnel in 1653
Armament42 guns (1653)

Pelican was the fourth named vessel since it was used for an 18-gun ship (privateer), with Drake in 1577, renamed Golden Hind in September 1578, mentioned in 1662 (doubtful if ever in the Navy Royal).[3]

Construction and specifications

She was one of six frigates ordered in December 1649. She would be built under contract by John Taylor of Wapping at a contract price of £6.10.0d[Note 1] per ton. She was launched in 1650. Her dimensions were 100 feet 0 inches (30.5 metres) keel for tonnage with a breadth of 30 feet 8 inches (9.3 metres) and a depth of hold of 15 feet 4 inches (4.7 metres). Her tonnage was 500+22⁄94 tons.[1][2]

Her gun armament in 1653 was 42 guns. This armament consisted of culverins[4][Note 2] on the lower deck (LD), demi-culverines[5][Note 3] on the upper deck and sakers[6][Note 4] on the quarterdeck (QD).[2] Her manning was 180 personnel in 1653.[1][2]

She was complete at an initial cost of £3,250.[Note 5][1]

Commissioned service

Service in the Commonwealth Navy

She was commissioned in 1650 under the command of Captain Joseph Jordan for service in Scottish Waters until November when she joined William Penn's Squadron. In 1651 she was with Penn's Squadron in the Mediterranean.[1]

First Anglo-Dutch War

She was at Ayscue's action on 16 August 1652. She then partook in the Battle of Kentish Knock on 28 September 1652.[7] In 1653 she came under command of Captain John Stoakes. She was with Robert Blake's Fleet at the Battle of Portland on 18 February 1653.[8] After the battle she was temporarily under the Command of Captain John Simmonds until Captain Peter Mootham took command. She participated in the Battle of the Gabbard as a member of Red Squadron, Center Division on 2–3 June 1653.[9] She was a member of Red Squadron, Van Division at the Battle of Scheveningen off Texel on 31 July 1653.[10] Later in 1653 she came under command of Captain William Whitehorse to spend the winter of 1653/54 at St Helens.[1]

In 1655 she came under the command of Captain Robert Storey.[1]

Loss

While anchored at Portsmouth she was accidentally burned on 13 February 1656.[1]

Notes
  1. The cost accounting for inflation of approximately £900 in reference to today
  2. The culverin was a gun of 4,500 pounds with a 5.5 inch bore firing a 17.5 pound shot with an twelve pound powder charge
  3. The demi-culverin was a gun of 3,400 pounds with a four inch bore firing a 9.5 pound shot with an eight pound powder charge
  4. The sacar or saker was a gun of 1,400 pounds with a 3.5 inch bore firing a 4 pound shot with an 4 pound powder charge
  5. The cost accounting for inflation of approximately £476,700 in reference to today

Citations
  1. Winfield 5
  2. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p160.
  3. Colledge
  4. Lavery, page 100
  5. Lavery, page 101
  6. Lavery, page 102
  7. Winfield 1
  8. Winfield 2
  9. Winfield 3
  10. Winfield 4

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.
  • British Warships in the Age of Sail (1603 – 1714), by Rif Winfield, published by Seaforth Publishing, England © Rif Winfield 2009, EPUB ISBN 978-1-78346-924-6
  1. Fleet Actions, 1.3 Battle of Kentish Knock
  2. Fleet Actions, 1.5 Battle off Portland (the 'Three Days' Battle')
  3. Fleet Actions, 1.7 Battle of the Gabbard (North Foreland)
  4. Fleet Actions, 1.8 Battle of Scheveningen (off Texel)
  5. Chapter 4, The Fourth Rates - 'Small Ships', Vessels acquired from 24 March 1603, 1650 Programme, Advice
  • Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, by J.J. Colledge, revised and updated by Lt Cdr Ben Warlow and Steve Bush, published by Seaforth Publishing, Barnsley, Great Britain, © 2020, EPUB ISBN 978-1-5267-9328-7, Section P (Pelican)
  • The Arming and Fitting of English Ships of War 1600 - 1815, by Brian Lavery, published by US Naval Institute Press © Brian Lavery 1989, ISBN 978-0-87021-009-9, Part V Guns, Type of Guns
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