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Battle of Toulon (1744)
Encyclopedia
The naval Battle of Toulon or Battle of Cape Sicié took place on 22 February 1744 in the Mediterranean Sea
off the coast of Toulon
, France. A combined Franco-Spanish fleet fought off Britain's Mediterranean fleet
. The French fleet, officially at peace with Great Britain, only joined the fighting late, when it was clear that the greatly outnumbered Spanish fleet had gained the advantage over its foe. With the French intervention, the British fleet was forced to withdraw.
In Britain the battle was regarded as the most mortifying defeat; the Franco-Spanish fleet successfully ended the British blockade and inflicted considerably more damage to the British than they received, causing the British to withdraw to Minorca
in need of heavy repairs. The retreat of Admiral Mathews
' fleet left the Mediterranean Sea temporarily under Spanish control, allowing the opposite navy to deliver troops and supplies to the Spanish army
in Italy, decisively swinging the war there in their favour.
Thomas Mathews, was tried by court-martial in 1746, on charges of having brought the fleet into action in a disorganised manner, of having fled the enemy, and of having failed to bring the enemy to action when the conditions were advantageous. He was, among seven ship captains
, dismissed from service.
In English-language literature the battle is viewed as indecisive at best and a fiasco at worst.
The outbreak of war with Spain and the imminent threat of war with France during the early stages of the War of the Austrian Succession
led to Mathews' return to active service after seven years of effective retirement, with a promotion directly to vice-admiral of the red on 13 March 1741. He was given a command in the Mediterranean, and made plenipotentiary to Charles Emmanuel III
, king of Sardinia
, and the other courts of Italy
. The appointment was somewhat unexpected, Mathews was not especially distinguished, and had not served in the navy for a number of years. His second in command in the Mediterranean was Rear-Admiral Richard Lestock
, a man Mathews knew from his time as commissioner at Chatham, when Lestock had commanded the guardships stationed in the Medway
. The two had not been on good terms, and on receiving the Mediterranean posting, Mathews requested that Lestock be recalled, a request the Admiralty
declined to act upon.
The two men continued their disagreements during their time in the Mediterranean, though Mathews' continued distractions with diplomatic duties meant that they did not break out into an open argument. In 1742 Mathews sent a small squadron to Naples
to compel King Charles
, later the King of Spain, to remain neutral. It was commanded by Commodore William Martin
, who refused to enter into negotiations, and gave the king half an hour in which to return an answer. The Neapolitans were forced to agree to the British demands.
In June 1742 a squadron of Spanish galleys, which had taken refuge in the Bay of Saint Tropez, was burnt by the fire ships of Mathews' fleet. In the meantime a Spanish squadron had taken refuge in Toulon
, and was watched by the British fleet from Hyeres
. On 21 February 1744 (N.S., 10 February O.S.) the Spaniards put to sea in company with a French force. Mathews, who had now returned to his flagship, followed, and an engagement took place on the 22 and 23 February.
The fleets had become scattered in the light winds as they approached, and as they began to form up for the battle on 22 February, Mathews signalled for the formation of the line of battle
. The line had still not been formed as night fell, leading Mathews to hoist the signal to come to, intending for his ships to first finish forming the line. The van and centre squadrons did so, but Lestock commanding the rear obeyed the order to come to, without having formed the line. By daybreak on 21 February, the rear of the British fleet was separated by a considerable distance from the van and centre. Mathews signalled for Lestock to make more sail, reluctant to start the attack with his ships still disorganised, but the slowness of Lestock to respond caused the Franco-Spanish force to start to slip away to the south. Mathews feared that they would escape him, and pass through the Straits of Gibraltar to join the French force gathered at Brest
for the planned invasion of Britain
.
Knowing that his duty was to attack, Mathews hoisted the signal to engage the enemy aboard his flagship
, and at one o'clock left the line to attack the Spanish rear, followed by Captain James Cornewall aboard HMS Marlborough
. In doing so, the signal to form the line of battle was left flying. The two signals flying simultaneously created confusion, though a number of British commanders, including Captain Edward Hawke
, followed Mathews' example. Heavily outnumbered and unsupported, with his other commanders either too uncertain, or in the case of Lestock, possibly pleased to see Mathews in difficulty and unwilling to help him, Namur and Marlborough managed to successfully engage their opposite numbers in the enemy line, but suffered considerable damage. At the rear of the ships being attacked, five more Spanish ships followed, at some distance due to the slow speed of the one ahead: Brillante, San Fernando, Halcon, Soberbio and Santa Isabel. There was some exchange of fire between these and the lead ships of the English rear. Most of Lestock´s ships in the rear remained inactive during the battle. The main action was being fought around Real Felipe, Navarro´s flagship. Marlborough purposefully crossed the Spanish line, but suffered so severe damage that she was deemed to be on the verge of sinking. The Hercules, astern of the Real Felipe, vigorously fought off three English ships, while the Constante, immediately ahead of the flagship, repelled the attack of an English ship-of-the-line, which was promptly replaced by two more, with whom she continued to fight for nearly three hours. The French ships came about at 5 o'clock to aid the Spanish, a manoeuvre interpreted by some of the British commanders to be an attempt to double the British line and surround them. With no orders from Mathews and a lack of clear instructions or command structure, the British line broke, and began to flee to the northwest. The Spanish, still on the defensive, neglected to capture the defenceless Marlborough, though they did retake the Poder, which had previously surrendered to the British. The Franco-Spanish fleet then resumed their flight to the southwest, and it was not until 23 February that the British were able to regroup and resume the pursuit. They caught up with the enemy fleet again, which was hampered by towing damaged ships, and the unmanouvrable Poder was abandoned and scuttled by the French. By now the British had closed to within a few miles of the enemy fleet but Mathews again signalled for the fleet to come to. The following day, 24 February, the Franco-Spanish fleet was almost out of sight, and Mathews returned to Hyeres, and sailed from there to Port Mahon
, where he arrived in early March.
petitioned King George II
for a public enquiry, and a dozen captains were tried by court-martial and cashiered. Lestock was also tried, but was able to place the blame on Mathews, and with the help of powerful supporters in government, was acquitted and offered further employment. Mathews was tried by court-martial in 1746, on charges of having brought the fleet into action in a disorganised manner, of having fled the enemy, and of having failed to bring the enemy to action when the conditions were advantageous. In his defence it was shown that he had fought bravely, but in June 1747 the court judged the charges were proven, and Mathews was dismissed from the service.
The court-martial was hampered by interference from politicians and civilian courts, so in 1749 Parliament
amended the 1661 Articles of War
to enhance the autonomy of naval courts. It also amended the section that read:
These events were followed by a French declaration of war on Britain and Hanover in March; in May came a French declaration of war on Maria Theresa and an Invasion of the Netherlands. The Spanish admiral Juan José Navarro was created Marquess
of Victory after his conduct of the battle.
4 frigates
4 fire ships
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
off the coast of Toulon
Toulon
Toulon is a town in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the former province of Provence....
, France. A combined Franco-Spanish fleet fought off Britain's Mediterranean fleet
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. The French fleet, officially at peace with Great Britain, only joined the fighting late, when it was clear that the greatly outnumbered Spanish fleet had gained the advantage over its foe. With the French intervention, the British fleet was forced to withdraw.
In Britain the battle was regarded as the most mortifying defeat; the Franco-Spanish fleet successfully ended the British blockade and inflicted considerably more damage to the British than they received, causing the British to withdraw to Minorca
Minorca
Min Orca or Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It takes its name from being smaller than the nearby island of Majorca....
in need of heavy repairs. The retreat of Admiral Mathews
Thomas Mathews
Thomas Mathews was a British officer of the Royal Navy, who rose to the rank of admiral.Mathews joined the navy in 1690 and saw service on a number of ships, including during the Nine Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession. He interspersed periods spent commanding ships with time at home...
' fleet left the Mediterranean Sea temporarily under Spanish control, allowing the opposite navy to deliver troops and supplies to the Spanish army
Spanish Army
The Spanish Army is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies - dating back to the 15th century.-Introduction:...
in Italy, decisively swinging the war there in their favour.
Thomas Mathews, was tried by court-martial in 1746, on charges of having brought the fleet into action in a disorganised manner, of having fled the enemy, and of having failed to bring the enemy to action when the conditions were advantageous. He was, among seven ship captains
Captain (Royal Navy)
Captain is a senior officer rank of the Royal Navy. It ranks above Commander and below Commodore and has a NATO ranking code of OF-5. The rank is equivalent to a Colonel in the British Army or Royal Marines and to a Group Captain in the Royal Air Force. The rank of Group Captain is based on the...
, dismissed from service.
In English-language literature the battle is viewed as indecisive at best and a fiasco at worst.
Engagement
War of the Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession – including King George's War in North America, the Anglo-Spanish War of Jenkins' Ear, and two of the three Silesian wars – involved most of the powers of Europe over the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the realms of the House of Habsburg.The...
led to Mathews' return to active service after seven years of effective retirement, with a promotion directly to vice-admiral of the red on 13 March 1741. He was given a command in the Mediterranean, and made plenipotentiary to Charles Emmanuel III
Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia
Charles Emmanuel III was the Duke of Savoy and King of Sardinia from 1730 until his death.-Biography:...
, king of Sardinia
Kingdom of Sardinia
The Kingdom of Sardinia consisted of the island of Sardinia first as a part of the Crown of Aragon and subsequently the Spanish Empire , and second as a part of the composite state of the House of Savoy . Its capital was originally Cagliari, in the south of the island, and later Turin, on the...
, and the other courts of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The appointment was somewhat unexpected, Mathews was not especially distinguished, and had not served in the navy for a number of years. His second in command in the Mediterranean was Rear-Admiral Richard Lestock
Richard Lestock
Richard Lestock was an officer in the Royal Navy, eventually rising to the rank of Admiral. He fought in a number of battles, and was a controversial figure, most remembered for his part in the defeat at the Battle of Toulon, and the subsequent court-martial.-Family and early years:Lestock is...
, a man Mathews knew from his time as commissioner at Chatham, when Lestock had commanded the guardships stationed in the Medway
River Medway
The River Medway, which is almost entirely in Kent, England, flows for from just inside the West Sussex border to the point where it enters the Thames Estuary....
. The two had not been on good terms, and on receiving the Mediterranean posting, Mathews requested that Lestock be recalled, a request the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
declined to act upon.
The two men continued their disagreements during their time in the Mediterranean, though Mathews' continued distractions with diplomatic duties meant that they did not break out into an open argument. In 1742 Mathews sent a small squadron to Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
to compel King Charles
Charles III of Spain
Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese...
, later the King of Spain, to remain neutral. It was commanded by Commodore William Martin
William Martin (Royal Navy officer)
William Martin was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the Wars of the Spanish and the Austrian Successions.Martin rose from obscure origins to see service during the War of the Spanish Succession...
, who refused to enter into negotiations, and gave the king half an hour in which to return an answer. The Neapolitans were forced to agree to the British demands.
In June 1742 a squadron of Spanish galleys, which had taken refuge in the Bay of Saint Tropez, was burnt by the fire ships of Mathews' fleet. In the meantime a Spanish squadron had taken refuge in Toulon
Toulon
Toulon is a town in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the former province of Provence....
, and was watched by the British fleet from Hyeres
Hyères
Hyères , Provençal Occitan: Ieras in classical norm or Iero in Mistralian norm) is a commune in the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France....
. On 21 February 1744 (N.S., 10 February O.S.) the Spaniards put to sea in company with a French force. Mathews, who had now returned to his flagship, followed, and an engagement took place on the 22 and 23 February.
The fleets had become scattered in the light winds as they approached, and as they began to form up for the battle on 22 February, Mathews signalled for the formation of the line of battle
Line of battle
In naval warfare, the line of battle is a tactic in which the ships of the fleet form a line end to end. A primitive form had been used by the Portuguese under Vasco Da Gama in 1502 near Malabar against a Muslim fleet.,Maarten Tromp used it in the Action of 18 September 1639 while its first use in...
. The line had still not been formed as night fell, leading Mathews to hoist the signal to come to, intending for his ships to first finish forming the line. The van and centre squadrons did so, but Lestock commanding the rear obeyed the order to come to, without having formed the line. By daybreak on 21 February, the rear of the British fleet was separated by a considerable distance from the van and centre. Mathews signalled for Lestock to make more sail, reluctant to start the attack with his ships still disorganised, but the slowness of Lestock to respond caused the Franco-Spanish force to start to slip away to the south. Mathews feared that they would escape him, and pass through the Straits of Gibraltar to join the French force gathered at Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
for the planned invasion of Britain
Planned French Invasion of Britain (1744)
A planned invasion of Great Britain was to be undertaken by France in 1744 shortly after the declaration of war between them as part of the War of the Austrian Succession. A large invasion force was prepared and put to sea from Dunkirk in February 1744, only to be partly wrecked and driven back...
.
Knowing that his duty was to attack, Mathews hoisted the signal to engage the enemy aboard his flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
, and at one o'clock left the line to attack the Spanish rear, followed by Captain James Cornewall aboard HMS Marlborough
HMS St Michael (1669)
HMS St Michael was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by John Tippetts of Portsmouth Dockyard and launched in 1669....
. In doing so, the signal to form the line of battle was left flying. The two signals flying simultaneously created confusion, though a number of British commanders, including Captain Edward Hawke
Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke
Admiral of the Fleet Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke KB, PC was an officer of the Royal Navy. He is best remembered for his service during the Seven Years' War, particularly his victory over a French fleet at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759, preventing a French invasion of Britain...
, followed Mathews' example. Heavily outnumbered and unsupported, with his other commanders either too uncertain, or in the case of Lestock, possibly pleased to see Mathews in difficulty and unwilling to help him, Namur and Marlborough managed to successfully engage their opposite numbers in the enemy line, but suffered considerable damage. At the rear of the ships being attacked, five more Spanish ships followed, at some distance due to the slow speed of the one ahead: Brillante, San Fernando, Halcon, Soberbio and Santa Isabel. There was some exchange of fire between these and the lead ships of the English rear. Most of Lestock´s ships in the rear remained inactive during the battle. The main action was being fought around Real Felipe, Navarro´s flagship. Marlborough purposefully crossed the Spanish line, but suffered so severe damage that she was deemed to be on the verge of sinking. The Hercules, astern of the Real Felipe, vigorously fought off three English ships, while the Constante, immediately ahead of the flagship, repelled the attack of an English ship-of-the-line, which was promptly replaced by two more, with whom she continued to fight for nearly three hours. The French ships came about at 5 o'clock to aid the Spanish, a manoeuvre interpreted by some of the British commanders to be an attempt to double the British line and surround them. With no orders from Mathews and a lack of clear instructions or command structure, the British line broke, and began to flee to the northwest. The Spanish, still on the defensive, neglected to capture the defenceless Marlborough, though they did retake the Poder, which had previously surrendered to the British. The Franco-Spanish fleet then resumed their flight to the southwest, and it was not until 23 February that the British were able to regroup and resume the pursuit. They caught up with the enemy fleet again, which was hampered by towing damaged ships, and the unmanouvrable Poder was abandoned and scuttled by the French. By now the British had closed to within a few miles of the enemy fleet but Mathews again signalled for the fleet to come to. The following day, 24 February, the Franco-Spanish fleet was almost out of sight, and Mathews returned to Hyeres, and sailed from there to Port Mahon
Mahon
Mahón is a municipality and the capital city of the Balearic Island of Minorca , located in the eastern part of the island. Mahon has the second deepest natural harbor in the world: 5 km long and up to 900m. wide...
, where he arrived in early March.
Enquiry and dismissal
The failure of the British fleet to bring a decisive action against a foe of such an inferior number had significant consequences. The opposing fleet was able to deliver troops and supplies to the Spanish army in Italy, decisively swinging the war there in their favour. This was widely remarked on back in Britain. The House of CommonsHouse of Commons of Great Britain
The House of Commons of Great Britain was the lower house of the Parliament of Great Britain between 1707 and 1801. In 1707, as a result of the Acts of Union of that year, it replaced the House of Commons of England and the third estate of the Parliament of Scotland, as one of the most significant...
petitioned King George II
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
for a public enquiry, and a dozen captains were tried by court-martial and cashiered. Lestock was also tried, but was able to place the blame on Mathews, and with the help of powerful supporters in government, was acquitted and offered further employment. Mathews was tried by court-martial in 1746, on charges of having brought the fleet into action in a disorganised manner, of having fled the enemy, and of having failed to bring the enemy to action when the conditions were advantageous. In his defence it was shown that he had fought bravely, but in June 1747 the court judged the charges were proven, and Mathews was dismissed from the service.
The court-martial was hampered by interference from politicians and civilian courts, so in 1749 Parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
amended the 1661 Articles of War
Articles of War
The Articles of War are a set of regulations drawn up to govern the conduct of a country's military and naval forces. The phrase was first used in 1637 in Robert Monro's His expedition with the worthy Scots regiment called Mac-keyes regiment etc. and can be used to refer to military law in general...
to enhance the autonomy of naval courts. It also amended the section that read:
These events were followed by a French declaration of war on Britain and Hanover in March; in May came a French declaration of war on Maria Theresa and an Invasion of the Netherlands. The Spanish admiral Juan José Navarro was created Marquess
Marquess
A marquess or marquis is a nobleman of hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The term is also used to translate equivalent oriental styles, as in imperial China, Japan, and Vietnam...
of Victory after his conduct of the battle.
Order of battle
| Franco-Spanish fleet | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ship | Rate | Guns | Commander | Notes | |||
| Van | |||||||
| Boreé | Third rate | 64 | Captain Marqueu | ||||
| Tolouse | Fourth rate | 60 | Captain Dárton | ||||
| Tigre | Fourth rate | 50 | Captain Saurin | ||||
| Eole | Third rate | 64 | Captain D'Alver | ||||
| Alcyon | Fourth rate | 56 | Captain Lancel | ||||
| Duc D'Orleans | Third rate | 68 | Captain Dornés | ||||
| Espoir | Third rate | 74 | Captain D'Hericourt (Ensign of Gavaret) | ||||
| Centre | |||||||
| Trident | Third rate | 64 | Captain Caylus | ||||
| Heureux | Fourth rate | 60 | Captain Gramier | ||||
| Achileon | Fourth rate | 60 | Captain Vaudevil | ||||
| Solide | Third rate | 64 | Captain Chateauneuf | ||||
| Diamant | Fourth rate | 50 | Captain Manak | ||||
| Ferme | Third rate | 70 | Captain Gorgues | ||||
| Terrible | Third rate | 74 | Vice-Admiral De Court Captain Jonquiere |
||||
| Sancti Espiritus | Third rate | 68 | Captain Poisin | ||||
| Serieux | Third rate | 64 | Captain Cahyla | ||||
| Rear | |||||||
| Oriente | Fourth rate | 60 | Captain Joaquín Villena | ||||
| América | Fourth rate | 60 | Captain Aníbal Petrucci | ||||
| Neptuno | Fourth rate | 60 | Captain Enrique Olivares | ||||
| Poder | Fourth rate | 60 | Captain Rodrigo de Urrutia. | Captured by the British Recaptured and scuttled by the French |
|||
| Constante | Third rate | 70 | Captain Agustín Iturriaga | ||||
| Real Felipe | First rate | 110 | Admiral Jose Navarro Captain Nicolas Geraldino |
||||
| Hércules | Third rate | 64 | Captain Cosme Álvarez | ||||
| Brillante | Fourth rate | 60 | Captain don Blas de la Barreda | ||||
| Alcón | Fourth rate | 60 | Captain José Rentería | ||||
| San Fernando | Third rate | 64 | Count of Vegaflorida | ||||
| Soberbio | Fourth rate | 50 | Captain Juan Valdés | ||||
| Santa Isabel | Third rate | 80 | Captain Ignacio Dautevil | ||||
4 frigates
4 fire ships
| British Fleet | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ship | Rate | Guns | Commander | Notes | |||
| Van | |||||||
| HMS Chatham HMS Chatham (1691) HMS Chatham was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 20 October 1691 at Chatham Dockyard.In 1705 she captured the French 60-gun Third Rate Auguste built in Brest in 1704. The British took her into service as Auguste.She underwent a rebuild according to the 1719... |
Fourth rate | 50 | Captain Richard Hughes | ||||
| HMS Nassau HMS Nassau (1699) HMS Nassau was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, launched at Portsmouth Dockyard in 1699.Nassau was wrecked in 1706.... |
Third rate | 70 | Captain James Lloyd | ||||
| HMS Chichester HMS Chichester (1695) HMS Chichester was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Chatham Dockyard on 6 March 1695.She underwent a rebuild in 1706 at Woolwich Dockyard. Chichester served until 1749, when she was broken up.... |
Third rate | 80 | Captain William Dilkes | ||||
| HMS Boyne HMS Boyne (1692) HMS Boyne was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Deptford Dockyard on 21 May 1692.She was rebuilt to the 1706 Establishment at Blackwall Yard, mounting her guns on three instead of her original two gundecks, though she was still classified as a third rate. She was... |
Third rate | 80 | Captain Rowland Frogmore | ||||
| HMS Barfleur HMS Barfleur (1697) HMS Barfleur was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Deptford Dockyard on 10 August 1697.She was rebuilt according to the 1706 Establishment at Deptford, relaunching on 27 June 1716. Barfleur was hulked in 1764, and eventually broken up in 1783.... |
Second-rate Second-rate In the British Royal Navy, a second rate was a ship of the line which by the start of the 18th century mounted 90 to 98 guns on three gun decks; earlier 17th century second rates had fewer guns and were originally two-deckers or had only partially armed third gun decks. The term in no way implied... |
90 | Rear-Admiral William Rowley William Rowley (Royal Navy officer) Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Rowley KB was a British naval commander who distinguished himself during the War of the Austrian Succession and also became a Member of Parliament.-Naval career:... (Red) Captain Meyrick de L'Angle |
||||
| HMS Princess Caroline HMS Ranelagh (1697) HMS Ranelagh was a three-decker 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Deptford Dockyard on 25 June 1697. She took part in a number of actions during the War of the Spanish Succession, including the Battle of Vigo in 1702 and the Battle of Vélez-Málaga in 1704.On 20... |
Third rate | 80 | Captain Henry Osborn | ||||
| HMS Berwick HMS Berwick (1743) HMS Berwick was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built to the 1733 proposals of the 1719 Establishment at Deptford Dockyard, and launched on 13 June 1743. It participated in the Battle of Toulon under the command of Sir Edward Hawke.Berwick was broken up in 1760.... |
Third rate | 70 | Captain Edward Hawke Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke Admiral of the Fleet Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke KB, PC was an officer of the Royal Navy. He is best remembered for his service during the Seven Years' War, particularly his victory over a French fleet at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759, preventing a French invasion of Britain... |
||||
| HMS Stirling Castle HMS Stirling Castle (1742) HMS Stirling Castle was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Chatham Dockyard to the 1733 proposals of the 1719 Establishment, and launched on 24 April 1742.... |
Third rate | 70 | Captain Thomas Cooper | ||||
| HMS Bedford HMS Bedford (1698) HMS Bedford was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Woolwich Dockyard on 12 September 1698. She carried twenty-two 24-pounder guns and four culverins on the lower deck; twenty-six 12-pounder guns on the upper deck; fourteen sakers on the quarter-deck and... |
Third rate | 70 | Captain Hon. George Townshend | ||||
| HMS Feversham HMS Feversham HMS Feversham was a 32-gun fifth rate warship. She was built at Shoreham, United Kingdom in 1696, and shipwrecked with the loss of 102 lives on 7 October 1711 during a voyage from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to New York City, after participating in Admiral Hovenden Walker's disastrous expedition to... |
Fifth rate | 40 | |||||
| HMS Winchelsea HMS Winchelsea Seven ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Winchelsea, or the archaic variant HMS Winchelsey, after the Sussex town of Winchelsea:... |
Sixth rate | 20 | |||||
| Centre | |||||||
| HMS Dragon HMS Dragon (1736) HMS Dragon was a 60-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built to the 1733 proposals of the 1719 Establishment at Woolwich Dockyard, and launched on 11 September 1736.In February 1744, she took part in the Battle of Toulon.... |
Fourth rate | 60 | Captain Charles Watson | ||||
| HMS Royal Oak HMS Royal Oak (1674) HMS Royal Oak was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Jonas Shish at Deptford and launched in 1674. She was one of only three Royal Navy ships to be equipped with the Rupertinoe naval gun... |
Third rate | 70 | Captain Edmund Williams | ||||
| HMS Princess HMS Princess (1740) HMS Princess was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She had briefly sailed as the Princesa for the Spanish Navy, until her capture off Cape Finisterre in 1740 during the War of the Austrian Succession.... |
Third rate | 70 | Captain Robert Pett | ||||
| HMS Somerset HMS Somerset (1731) HMS Somerset was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built to the 1719 Establishment at Woolwich and launched on 21 October 1731. She was the second ship to bear the name.... |
Third rate | 80 | Captain George Slater | ||||
| HMS Norfolk HMS Norfolk (1693) HMS Norfolk was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was built at Southampton and launched on 28 March 1693, and was the first ship to bear the name. She was rebuilt at Plymouth according to the 1719 Establishment, and was re-launched on 21 September 1728... |
Third rate | 80 | Captain Hon. John Forbes | ||||
| HMS Marlborough HMS St Michael (1669) HMS St Michael was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by John Tippetts of Portsmouth Dockyard and launched in 1669.... |
Second-rate Second-rate In the British Royal Navy, a second rate was a ship of the line which by the start of the 18th century mounted 90 to 98 guns on three gun decks; earlier 17th century second rates had fewer guns and were originally two-deckers or had only partially armed third gun decks. The term in no way implied... |
90 | Captain James Cornwall | ||||
| HMS Dorsetshire HMS Dorsetshire (1694) HMS Dorsetshire was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Southampton on 8 December 1694.She was rebuilt according to the 1706 Establishment at Portsmouth Dockyard, and relaunched on 20 September 1712... |
Third rate | 80 | Captain George Burrish | ||||
| HMS Essex HMS Essex (1679) HMS Essex was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Blackwall Yard in 1679.She was rebuilt at Rotherhithe in 1700, retaining her 70-gun armament. She underwent a second rebuild in 1713, and on 20 May 1736 she was ordered to be taken to pieces and rebuilt at Woolwich as... |
Third rate | 70 | Captain Richard Norris | ||||
| HMS Rupert HMS Rupert (1666) HMS Rupert was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, ordered on 26 October 1664 as part of the ship construction programme of that year... |
Third rate | 60 | Captain John Ambrose John Ambrose John Ambrose was an English captain in the navy, promoted to that rank in March 1734, and appointed to the Greyhound, in which ship he was employed in the Channel and Mediterranean till September 1740, when he was transferred to the Rupert of 60 guns... |
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| HMS Namur HMS Namur (1697) HMS Namur was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Woolwich Dockyard in 1697.On 11 June 1723 she was ordered to be taken to pieces and rebuilt at Deptford, according to the 1719 Establishment. She was relaunched on 13 September 1729. In 1745, she was razeed to 74... (Flagship Flagship A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag... ) |
Second-rate Second-rate In the British Royal Navy, a second rate was a ship of the line which by the start of the 18th century mounted 90 to 98 guns on three gun decks; earlier 17th century second rates had fewer guns and were originally two-deckers or had only partially armed third gun decks. The term in no way implied... |
90 | Admiral Thomas Mathews Thomas Mathews Thomas Mathews was a British officer of the Royal Navy, who rose to the rank of admiral.Mathews joined the navy in 1690 and saw service on a number of ships, including during the Nine Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession. He interspersed periods spent commanding ships with time at home... (Blue) Captain John Russell |
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| HMS Dursley Castle | Sixth rate | 20 | |||||
| HMS Anne Galley | Fireship | 8 | Captain Mackay | Blew up | |||
| Sutherland | Hospital Ship | 18 | |||||
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| HMS Salisbury HMS Salisbury (1707) HMS Salisbury was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Chatham Dockyard to the dimensions of the 1706 Establishment, and launched on 3 July 1707... |
Fourth rate | 50 | Captain Peter Osborne | ||||
| HMS Romney HMS Romney (1708) HMS Romney was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Sir Joseph Allin to the 1706 Establishment at Deptford Dockyard, and launched on 2 December 1708.... |
Fourth rate | 50 | Captain Henry Godsalve | ||||
| HMS Dunkirk HMS Dunkirk (1651) Worcester was a 48-gun third rate frigate built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Woolwich Dockyard, and launched in 1651.After the Restoration in 1660, she was renamed HMS Dunkirk. By 1677 her armament had been increased to 60 guns. In 1704 she underwent a rebuild at Blackwall Yard,... |
Third rate | 60 | Captain Charles Wager Purvis | ||||
| HMS Revenge HMS Swiftsure (1673) HMS Swiftsure was a 70-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Sir Anthony Deane at Harwich, and launched in 1673. By 1685 she had been reduced to a 66-gun ship.In 1692 she saw action at the Battles of Barfleur and La Hogue.... |
Third rate | 70 | Captain Hon. G. Berkeley | ||||
| HMS Cambridge HMS Cambridge (1695) HMS Cambridge was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Deptford Dockyard on 21 December 1695.She was rebuilt according to the 1706 Establishment at Woolwich Dockyard, and relaunched on 17 September 1715... |
Third rate | 80 | Captain Charles Drummond | ||||
| HMS Neptune HMS Neptune (1683) HMS Neptune was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was built under the 1677 "Thirty Great Ships" Programme and launched in 1683 at Deptford Dockyard. She was first commissioned in 1690 under Captain Thomas Gardiner, as the flagship of Vice-Admiral George Rooke... |
Second rate | 90 | Vice-Admiral Richard Lestock Richard Lestock Richard Lestock was an officer in the Royal Navy, eventually rising to the rank of Admiral. He fought in a number of battles, and was a controversial figure, most remembered for his part in the defeat at the Battle of Toulon, and the subsequent court-martial.-Family and early years:Lestock is... (White) Captain George Stepney |
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| HMS Torbay 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. In 1707, she served as flagship of Rear-Admiral of the Blue Sir John Norris and belonged to Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell's fleet... |
Third rate | 80 | Captain John Gascoigne | ||||
| HMS Russell HMS Russell (1692) HMS Russell was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Portsmouth Dockyard on 3 June 1692.She was rebuilt according to the 1706 Establishment at Rotherhithe, and was relaunched on 16 March 1709... |
Third rate | 80 | Captain Robert Long | ||||
| HMS Buckingham HMS Buckingham (1731) HMS Buckingham was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Deptford Dockyard to the 1719 Establishment, and launched on 13 April 1731.Buckingham served until 1745 when she was broken up.... |
Third rate | 70 | Captain John Towry | ||||
| HMS Elizabeth HMS Elizabeth (1706) HMS Elizabeth was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Woolwich Dockyard and launched on 1 August 1706.On 4 September 1733 orders were issued directing Elizabeth to be taken to pieces and rebuilt according to the 1733 proposals of the 1719 Establishment at Chatham, from... |
Third rate | 70 | Captain Joshua Lingen | ||||
| HMS Kingston HMS Kingston (1697) HMS Kingston was a 60-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Frame in Hull and launched on 13 March 1697. She had an eventful career, taking part in numerous engagements.-Career:... |
Third rate | 60 | Captain John Lovatt | ||||
| HMS Oxford HMS Oxford (1674) HMS Oxford was a 54-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Francis Baylie in Bristol and launched in June 1674. Her guns comprised twenty-two 24-pounders on the lower deck, with twenty-two large sakers on the upper deck and ten smaller sakers on the quarter deck.On 23... |
Fourth rate | 50 | Captain Harry Powlett Harry Powlett, 6th Duke of Bolton Admiral Harry Powlett, 6th Duke of Bolton PC was a British nobleman and naval officer.He was the second son of Harry Powlett, 4th Duke of Bolton and Catherine Parry. Educated at Winchester , he joined the Royal Navy, becoming a lieutenant aboard Shrewsbury on 4 March 1740... |
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| HMS Warwick HMS Warwick (1733) HMS Warwick was a 60-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built to the 1719 Establishment at Plymouth Dockyard, and launched on 25 October 1733.... |
Third rate | 60 | Captain Temple West Temple West Vice-Admiral Temple West was a British naval officer, best known for his role as second-in-command to Admiral John Byng in the Battle of Minorca.-Early career and family:West was a younger son of Rev. Dr... |
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| HMS Mercury HMS Mercury Eighteen ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Mercury, or HMS Mercure, after the God Mercury, of Roman mythology:*HMS Mercury was a 6-gun galley launched in 1592 and sold in 1611.... |
Fireship | 8 | |||||
| Table information is from Battles of the British Navy by Joseph Allen, Vol. I , p. 150. and Schomberg, I., Naval Chronology, App. 36, London, 1802 | |||||||