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]

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

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 (773.2 tonnes)
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 (879.9 tonnes)
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 taken to pieces at Deptford Dockyard, and rebuilt 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 in 1747.[2]

Notes
  1. Lavery, Ships of the Line, vol. 1, p. 161.
  2. Lavery, Ships of the Line, vol. 1, p. 171.
  3. "1119 August 3 Admiralty Office". Calendar of State Papers 1705-1706 (1119, 3 August 1705): 194. 1705. ISBN 9781843832515.

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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