HMS Falmouth (1708)

HMS Falmouth was a 50-gun fourth-rate ship of the line built for the Royal Navy in the first decade of the 18th century. The ship participated in several battles during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–15) and the War of Jenkins' Ear (1739–48).

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

History
Great Britain
Name: Falmouth
Ordered: 8 February 1707
Builder: Stacey, Woolwich Dockyard
Launched: 26 February 1708
Fate: Broken up, 1747
General characteristics (as built)[1]
Class and type: 1706 Establishment 50-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen: 700​45⁄94 (bm)
Length: 130 ft (39.6 m) (gundeck)
Beam: 35 ft 1 in (10.7 m)
Depth of hold: 14 ft (4.3 m)
Sail plan: Full-rigged ship
Complement: 195–280
Armament:
  • 50 guns:
  • Gundeck: 22 × 18-pounder guns
  • Upper gundeck: 22 × 9-pounder guns
  • Quarterdeck: 4 × 6-pounder guns
  • Forecastle: 2 × 6-pounder guns
General characteristics (after 1729 rebuild)[2]
Class and type: 1719 Establishment 50-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen: 760 bm
Length: 134 ft (40.8 m) (gundeck)
Beam: 36 ft (11.0 m)
Depth of hold: 15 ft 2 in (4.6 m)
Sail plan: Full-rigged ship
Armament:
  • 50 guns:
  • Gundeck: 22 × 18-pounder guns
  • Upper gundeck: 22 × 9-pounder guns
  • Quarterdeck: 4 × 6-pounder guns
  • Forecastle: 2 × 6-pounder guns

Description

Falmouth had a length at the gundeck of 130 feet (39.6 m) and 107 feet (32.6 m) at the keel. She had a beam of 35 feet 1 inch (10.7 m) and a depth of hold of 14 feet (4.3 m). The ship's tonnage was 700 ​45⁄94 tons burthen. Officially rated at 50 guns, her armament consisted of 22 twelve-pounder guns on the lower gundeck and 22 six-pounder guns on the upper deck. On the quarterdeck were 8 six-pounder guns with another pair on the forecastle. The ship had a crew of 185–280 officers and ratings.[3]

When rebuilt in 1724, Falmouth had a length at the gundeck of 134 feet 2 inches (40.9 m) and 109 feet (33.2 m) at the keel. She had a beam of 36 feet 1 inch (11.0 m) and a depth of hold of 15 feet 2 inches (4.6 m). The ship's tonnage was 760 ​61⁄94 tons burthen. Her armament was upgraded and now consisted of 22 eighteen-pounder guns on the lower gundeck and 22 nine-pounder guns on the upper deck. The number of six-pounder guns on the quarterdeck was reduced to four, but the pair on the forecastle were retained. The ship now had a crew of 280 officers and ratings.[4]

Construction and career

Falmouth was the third ship in the Royal Navy to be named after the eponymous port.[5] Built to the 1706 Establishment design, the ship was ordered on 8 February 1707. She was built at Woolwich Dockyard under the direction of Master Shipwright Richard Stacey, and was launched on 26 February 1708[6]

On 14 May 1724 Falmouth was ordered to be taken to pieces and rebuilt according to the 1719 Establishment at Woolwich Dockyard, from where she was relaunched on 3 April 1729.[2]

Notes
  1. Lavery, vol. 1, p. 168.
  2. Lavery, vol. 1, p. 170.
  3. Winfield 2009, pp. 403–04.
  4. Winfield 2007, pp. 374–75, 379.
  5. Colledge, p. 49.
  6. Winfield 2009, p. 404.

References
  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
  • 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.
  • Winfield, Rif (2009) British Warships in the Age of Sail 1603–1714: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-040-6.
  • Winfield, Rif (2007). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714–1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84415-700-6.
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