HMS Nottingham (1703)

HMS Nottingham was a 60-gun fourth-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Deptford Dockyard and launched on 10 June 1703.[1] She was the first ship to bear the name.

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

Samuel Scott's Action between HMS Nottingham and the Mars. Mars was returning to France after the failed Duc d'Anville Expedition, 11 October 1746
History
Great Britain
Name: HMS Nottingham
Builder: Harding, Deptford Dockyard
Launched: 10 June 1703
Honours and
awards:
Fate: Sunk as a breakwater, 1773
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type: 60-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen: 924 bm
Length: 145 ft 9.5 in (44.4 m) (gundeck)
Beam: 38 ft (11.6 m)
Depth of hold: 15 ft 11 in (4.9 m)
Propulsion: Sails
Sail plan: Full-rigged ship
Complement: 365 officers and men
Armament: 60 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1719 rebuild[2]
Class and type: 1706 Establishment 60-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen: 928 bm
Length: 144 ft (43.9 m) (gundeck)
Beam: 38 ft (11.6 m)
Depth of hold: 15 ft 8 in (4.8 m)
Propulsion: Sails
Sail plan: Full-rigged ship
Armament:
  • 60 guns:
  • Gundeck: 24 × 24 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 26 × 9 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 8 × 6 pdrs
  • Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs
General characteristics after 1745 rebuild[3]
Class and type: 1733 proposals 60-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen: 1,077 bm
Length: 144 ft (43.9 m) (gundeck)
Beam: 41 ft 5 in (12.6 m)
Depth of hold: 16 ft 11 in (5.2 m)
Propulsion: Sails
Sail plan: Full-rigged ship
Armament:
  • 60 guns:
  • Gundeck: 24 × 24 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 26 × 9 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 8 × 6 pdrs
  • Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs

Commissioned under Captain Samuel Whitaker, she formed part of Admiral Cloudesley Shovell's fleet that sailed with Admiral Rooke to attack and take the formidable Rock of Gibraltar in 1704. The ship also saw action in the Battle of Cabrita point in March 1705 and in the Mediterranean in 1711.

Nottingham was rebuilt according to the 1706 Establishment at Deptford, from where she was relaunched on 5 October 1719.[2] On 18 May 1739, orders were issued directing that Nottingham be taken to pieces and rebuilt according to the 1733 proposals of the 1719 Establishment at Sheerness, from where she was relaunched on 17 August 1745.[3]

The ship, when captained by Philip de Saumarez,[4] also attacked and captured the French ship Mars, which was returning to France after the failed Duc d'Anville Expedition, 11 October 1746. Nottingham took Augustin de Boschenry de Drucour captive.

Nottingham gained more success with the capture of the French 74-gun Magnanime on 31 January 1748 under Captain Robert Harland.[5]

Nottingham continued in service until 1773, when she was sunk to form part of a breakwater.[3]

Shown here as a member Sir George Pocock's Blue Squadron, circa 1762

Notes
  1. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p166.
  2. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p168.
  3. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p171.
  4. Wikisource:Saumarez, Philip (DNB00)
  5. "Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Review, Volume 18". The Gentleman's Magazine: 136. March 1748.

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.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.