HMS Colchester (1746)

HMS Colchester was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Southampton according to the dimensions laid down in the 1741 proposals of the 1719 Establishment, and launched on 20 September 1745.[1] She was ordered as a replacement for the previous HMS Colchester, which had been wrecked just two months after being launched.[1][2]

History
Great Britain
Name:	HMS Colchester
Ordered:	6 November 1744
Builder:	Carter, Southampton
Launched:	20 September 1746
Fate:	Broken up, 1773
General characteristics [1]
Class and type:	1741 proposals 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen:	978
Length:	140 ft (42.7 m) (gundeck)
Beam:	40 ft (12.2 m)
Depth of hold:	17 ft 2 ^1⁄2 in (5.2 m)
Propulsion:	Sails
Sail plan:	Full-rigged ship
Armament:	50 guns: Gundeck: 22 × 24 pdrs Upper gundeck: 22 × 12 pdrs Quarterdeck: 4 × 6 pdrs Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs

Colchester served until 1762, when she was found to be unfit for service.[3] She was eventually broken up in 1773.[1]

Notes

1. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol. 1, p. 172.
2. Ships of the Old Navy, Colchester (1744).
3. Ships of the Old Navy, Colchester (1746).

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.
• Michael Phillips. Colchester (50) (1744). Michael Phillips' Ships of the Old Navy. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
• Michael Phillips. Colchester (50) (1746). Michael Phillips' Ships of the Old Navy. Retrieved 10 August 2008.