HMS Woolwich (1675)

HMS Woolwich was a 54-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Phineas Pett III at Woolwich Dockyard and launched in 1675.[1] She underwent a rebuild in 1702.[1]

HMS Woolwich, c.1677 (oil painting by Willem van de Velde, the Elder).
History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Woolwich
Builder	Phineas Pett III, Woolwich Dockyard
Launched	1675
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type	54-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	761 tons
Length	112 ft (34 m) (keel)
Beam	35 ft 9 in (10.90 m)
Depth of hold	15 ft (4.6 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	54 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1702 rebuild
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
General characteristics after 1741 rebuild[2]
Class and type	1733 proposals 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	866 tons
Length	134 ft (41 m) (gundeck)
Beam	38 ft 6 in (11.73 m)
Depth of hold	15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	50 guns: Gundeck: 22 × 18 pdrs Upper gundeck: 22 × 9 pdrs Quarterdeck: 4 × 6 pdrs Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs

In 1705, when Thomas Ekines was in command, she was involved in the seizure of a Dutch ship which Ekines claimed was trading with Britains enemies of the War of the Spanish Succession. Although Ekines right to seize the ship was upheld, his further seizure of the bulk of the cargo for his personal gain caused major problems for his ongoing naval career.[3]

On 10 June 1736 she was ordered to be stripped at Deptford Dockyard, and rebuilt by Richard Stacey to the lines of a 50-gun fourth rate according to the 1733 proposals of the 1719 Establishment. She was relaunched on 6 April 1741.[2]

Woolwich was broken up at Chatham Dockyard in 1747.[2]