HMS Torbay (1693)

HMS Torbay was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Deptford Dockyard on 16 December 1693.[1] In 1707, she served as flagship of Rear-Admiral of the Blue Sir John Norris and belonged to Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell's fleet. She saw action during the unsuccessful Battle of Toulon and was present during the great naval disaster off the Isles of Scilly when Shovell and four of his ships (Association, Firebrand, Romney and Eagle) were lost, claiming the lives of nearly 2,000[3] sailors. Torbay suffered little to no damage and finally managed to reach Portsmouth.

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

History
Great Britain
Name: HMS Torbay
Builder: Harding, Deptford Dockyard
Launched: 16 December 1693
Fate: Broken up, 1749
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type: 80-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen: 1,202 bm
Length: 156 ft (47.5 m) (gundeck)
Beam: 41 ft 11 in (12.8 m)
Depth of hold: 17 ft 4 in (5.3 m)
Propulsion: Sails
Sail plan: Full-rigged ship
Armament: 80 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1719 rebuild[2]
Class and type: 1706 Establishment 80-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen: 1,296 bm
Length: 156 ft (47.5 m) (gundeck)
Beam: 43 ft 6 in (13.3 m)
Depth of hold: 17 ft 8 in (5.4 m)
Propulsion: Sails
Sail plan: Full-rigged ship
Armament:
  • 80 guns:
  • Gundeck: 26 × 32 pdrs
  • Middle gundeck: 26 × 12 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 24 × 6 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 4 × 6 pdrs

She was rebuilt at Deptford, according to the 1706 Establishment, and was relaunched on 23 May 1719. After this, her 80 guns were mounted on three gundecks instead of her original two, though she continued to be classified as a third rate.[2]

In 1726 Torbay was the flagship of Sir Charles Wager[4] at the Naval Blockade of Reval.

Torbay was broken up in 1749.[2]

Torbay was notable for breaking the defensive boom in the Battle of Vigo Bay.

Notes
  1. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p163.
  2. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p167.
  3. Sobel, Dava, Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time, Fourth Estate Ltd., London 1998, p. 6, ISBN 1-85702-571-7
  4. London Gazette Issue 6475 page 1 dated 7 May 1726

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.


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