HMS Monarch (1747)
Encyclopedia
HMS Monarch was a 74-gun
third rate ship of the line
of the Royal Navy
. She had previously served in the French Navy
under the name Monarque.
Monarque was built during the War of the Austrian Succession
, but lasted less than a year in French service. She was captured by the British just three months after being completed, one of several prizes taken by Sir Edward Hawke's
fleet at the Battle of Cape Finisterre
. Brought into the Royal Navy, she was used for the rest of the War of the Austrian Succession as a guardship and to carry troops. She saw service during the Seven Years' War
, forming part of fleets sent to North America and the Mediterranean under Hawke, Boscawen
and Osborn, and being commanded at one stage by future admiral George Rodney
.
Monarch was the scene of the execution of Admiral Sir John Byng
, who had been sentenced to death for failing to do his utmost during the Battle of Minorca
, and was shot on Monarchs quarterdeck
on 14 March 1757. Monarch went out to the Mediterranean during the last years of the Seven Years' War, and played a role in the British victory at the Battle of Cartagena
. She returned home and was reduced to harbour service, and was finally sold for breaking up in 1760.
on January 1745, and was built to a design by Blaise Ollivier. On Ollivier's death in October 1746, work on the ship was completed by Luc Coulomb. She was launched in March 1747, and was completed by July that year. Her career with the French was short-lived. She joined the fleet under Admiral Desherbiers de l'Etenduère in October 1747, with orders to escort a convoy across the Atlantic. The French were brought to battle off Cape Finisterre
by a fleet under Admiral Sir Edward Hawke
, and Monarque was one of the ships captured in the resulting defeat for the French, at the Battle of Cape Finisterre
.
and was surveyed there in July 1748. The Navy Board
authorised her purchase for the navy on 30 September 1748, paying the sum of £17,555.16.8d, having deducted a sum for repairs. A small repair was carried out and she was fitted for service between December 1748 and March 1749. Monarch commissioned for service in December 1748 under the command of Captain Robert Harland, and became the guardship at Portsmouth. She passed to Captain John Amherst in 1751, still serving as the Portsmouth guardship, but returned to sea later that year to carry troops to Minorca
. She was paid off in November 1752, and fitted for continued service as a guardship the following year. She recommissioned as the Portsmouth guardship in January 1753 under Captain Roger Martin, and was again involved in trooping duties, this time Gibraltar
in 1754. She passed under Captain Henry Harrison in 1754, followed by Captain Abraham North in 1755. Monarch became the flagship
of Rear-Admiral Savage Mostyn
, and sailed for North America in April 1755.
Monarch joined Vice-Admiral Edward Boscawen
's squadron in North America, with Captain North being succeeded by Captain George Rodney
in 1756. Monarch joined Henry Osborn's fleet in January 1756, and served with Sir Edward Hawke
from March that year. By 1757 she was back in Portsmouth, during the court martial of Admiral Sir John Byng
.
, he drew off and allowed the island to fall to the French. Incensed, the British public demanded an investigation. Byng was arrested, and tried by court martial for having breached the Articles of War
. Though Byng was acquitted of cowardice or disaffection, he was found guilty of failing to do his utmost, which carried a mandatory death sentence. Byng was brought aboard Monarch, which by then was anchored at Portsmouth under Captain John Montagu. Montagu recorded in the ship's log for 14 March 1757:
on 28 February 1758, where Osborn defeated an attempt by a French squadron under Michel-Ange Duquesne de Menneville to relieve the French fleet under Jean-François de La Clue-Sabran
which had been trapped in Cartagena
. Together Monarch and drove ashore the 64-gun Oriflamme.
Monarch was recommissioned in July 1759 under Captain Lachlin Leslie, but spent her time on harbour service and was paid off in September 1760. She was surveyed on 24 October 1760, but was not repaired and instead was sold at Woolwich
on 25 November that year for the sum of £1,065.
Seventy-four (ship)
The "seventy-four" was a type of two-decked sailing ship of the line nominally carrying 74 guns. Originally developed by the French Navy in the mid-18th century, the design proved to be a good balance between firepower and sailing qualities, and was adopted by the British Royal Navy , as well as...
third rate ship of the line
Ship of the line
A ship of the line was a type of naval warship constructed from the 17th through the mid-19th century to take part in the naval tactic known as the line of battle, in which two columns of opposing warships would manoeuvre to bring the greatest weight of broadside guns to bear...
of the Royal Navy
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...
. She had previously served in the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
under the name Monarque.
Monarque was built during the War of the Austrian Succession
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...
, but lasted less than a year in French service. She was captured by the British just three months after being completed, one of several prizes taken by Sir Edward Hawke's
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...
fleet at the Battle of Cape Finisterre
Second battle of Cape Finisterre (1747)
The Second Battle of Cape Finisterre was a naval battle which took place on 25 October 1747 during the War of the Austrian Succession...
. Brought into the Royal Navy, she was used for the rest of the War of the Austrian Succession as a guardship and to carry troops. She saw service during the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
, forming part of fleets sent to North America and the Mediterranean under Hawke, Boscawen
Edward Boscawen
Admiral Edward Boscawen, PC was an Admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament for the borough of Truro, Cornwall. He is known principally for his various naval commands throughout the 18th Century and the engagements that he won, including the Siege of Louisburg in 1758 and Battle of Lagos...
and Osborn, and being commanded at one stage by future admiral George Rodney
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, KB was a British naval officer. He is best known for his commands in the American War of Independence, particularly his victory over the French at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782...
.
Monarch was the scene of the execution of Admiral Sir John Byng
John Byng
Admiral John Byng was a Royal Navy officer. After joining the navy at the age of thirteen he participated at the Battle of Cape Passaro in 1718. Over the next thirty years he built up a reputation as a solid naval officer and received promotion to Vice-Admiral in 1747...
, who had been sentenced to death for failing to do his utmost during the Battle of Minorca
Battle of Minorca
The Battle of Minorca was a naval battle between French and British fleets. It was the opening sea battle of the Seven Years' War in the European theatre. Shortly after Great Britain declared war on the House of Bourbon, their squadrons met off the Mediterranean island of Minorca. The fight...
, and was shot on Monarchs quarterdeck
Quarterdeck
The quarterdeck is that part of a warship designated by the commanding officer for official and ceremonial functions. In port, the quarterdeck is the most important place on the ship, and is the central control point for all its major activities. Underway, its importance diminishes as control of...
on 14 March 1757. Monarch went out to the Mediterranean during the last years of the Seven Years' War, and played a role in the British victory at the Battle of Cartagena
Battle of Cartagena (1758)
The Battle of Cartagena took place on 28 February 1758 off the Spanish port of Cartagena during the Seven Years War. A British fleet under Henry Osborn, which had blockaded a French fleet in Cartagena, attacked and defeated a French force under Michel-Ange Duquesne de Menneville coming to their...
. She returned home and was reduced to harbour service, and was finally sold for breaking up in 1760.
Construction and capture
Monarque was laid down at BrestBrest, 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...
on January 1745, and was built to a design by Blaise Ollivier. On Ollivier's death in October 1746, work on the ship was completed by Luc Coulomb. She was launched in March 1747, and was completed by July that year. Her career with the French was short-lived. She joined the fleet under Admiral Desherbiers de l'Etenduère in October 1747, with orders to escort a convoy across the Atlantic. The French were brought to battle off Cape Finisterre
Cape Finisterre
right|thumb|300px|Position of Cape Finisterre on the [[Iberian Peninsula]]Cape Finisterre is a rock-bound peninsula on the west coast of Galicia, Spain....
by a fleet under Admiral Sir 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...
, and Monarque was one of the ships captured in the resulting defeat for the French, at the Battle of Cape Finisterre
Second battle of Cape Finisterre (1747)
The Second Battle of Cape Finisterre was a naval battle which took place on 25 October 1747 during the War of the Austrian Succession...
.
British career
Monarque was towed into PortsmouthPortsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
and was surveyed there in July 1748. The Navy Board
Navy Board
The Navy Board is today the body responsible for the day-to-day running of the British Royal Navy. Its composition is identical to that of the Admiralty Board of the Defence Council of the United Kingdom, except that it does not include any of Her Majesty's Ministers.From 1546 to 1831, the Navy...
authorised her purchase for the navy on 30 September 1748, paying the sum of £17,555.16.8d, having deducted a sum for repairs. A small repair was carried out and she was fitted for service between December 1748 and March 1749. Monarch commissioned for service in December 1748 under the command of Captain Robert Harland, and became the guardship at Portsmouth. She passed to Captain John Amherst in 1751, still serving as the Portsmouth guardship, but returned to sea later that year to carry troops 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....
. She was paid off in November 1752, and fitted for continued service as a guardship the following year. She recommissioned as the Portsmouth guardship in January 1753 under Captain Roger Martin, and was again involved in trooping duties, this time Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
in 1754. She passed under Captain Henry Harrison in 1754, followed by Captain Abraham North in 1755. Monarch became the 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...
of Rear-Admiral Savage Mostyn
Savage Mostyn
Savage Mostyn was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. He embarked on a political career, and was a Member of Parliament, Comptroller of the Navy, and one of the Lords of the Admiralty.Mostyn was born c. 1713 into a well...
, and sailed for North America in April 1755.
Monarch joined Vice-Admiral Edward Boscawen
Edward Boscawen
Admiral Edward Boscawen, PC was an Admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament for the borough of Truro, Cornwall. He is known principally for his various naval commands throughout the 18th Century and the engagements that he won, including the Siege of Louisburg in 1758 and Battle of Lagos...
's squadron in North America, with Captain North being succeeded by Captain George Rodney
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney
George Brydges Rodney, 1st Baron Rodney, KB was a British naval officer. He is best known for his commands in the American War of Independence, particularly his victory over the French at the Battle of the Saintes in 1782...
in 1756. Monarch joined Henry Osborn's fleet in January 1756, and served with Sir 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...
from March that year. By 1757 she was back in Portsmouth, during the court martial of Admiral Sir John Byng
John Byng
Admiral John Byng was a Royal Navy officer. After joining the navy at the age of thirteen he participated at the Battle of Cape Passaro in 1718. Over the next thirty years he built up a reputation as a solid naval officer and received promotion to Vice-Admiral in 1747...
.
Byng's execution
Admiral Byng had commanded the British fleet sent to relieve Minorca in 1756, but after a brief and indecisive engagement at the Battle of MinorcaBattle of Minorca
The Battle of Minorca was a naval battle between French and British fleets. It was the opening sea battle of the Seven Years' War in the European theatre. Shortly after Great Britain declared war on the House of Bourbon, their squadrons met off the Mediterranean island of Minorca. The fight...
, he drew off and allowed the island to fall to the French. Incensed, the British public demanded an investigation. Byng was arrested, and tried by court martial for having breached the 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...
. Though Byng was acquitted of cowardice or disaffection, he was found guilty of failing to do his utmost, which carried a mandatory death sentence. Byng was brought aboard Monarch, which by then was anchored at Portsmouth under Captain John Montagu. Montagu recorded in the ship's log for 14 March 1757:
These 24 hours very squally, with showers of wind and rain; Admiral Byng's Co. as before; at 7 A.M. his Coffin came on board; at 10 A.M. all the Ships' Boats, manned and armed, came to attend his Execution; hard gales, lowered down the lower yards: at noon all hands were called up to attend his execution; he was shot on the larboard side of the Quarter Deck by six Marines, attended by Lieut. Clark, the Marshal, and Mr. Muckings; these gentlemen went ashore after the execution was over.
Action with the French
Monarch went out to the Mediterranean in May 1757, and joined Henry Osborn's fleet. She was present with the fleet at the Battle of CartagenaBattle of Cartagena (1758)
The Battle of Cartagena took place on 28 February 1758 off the Spanish port of Cartagena during the Seven Years War. A British fleet under Henry Osborn, which had blockaded a French fleet in Cartagena, attacked and defeated a French force under Michel-Ange Duquesne de Menneville coming to their...
on 28 February 1758, where Osborn defeated an attempt by a French squadron under Michel-Ange Duquesne de Menneville to relieve the French fleet under Jean-François de La Clue-Sabran
Jean-François de La Clue-Sabran
Jean-François de La Clue-Sabran was a French Admiral best known for his command of the French fleet in the Mediterranean Sea during the Seven Years' War.-Seven Years War:...
which had been trapped in Cartagena
Cartagena, Spain
Cartagena is a Spanish city and a major naval station located in the Region of Murcia, by the Mediterranean coast, south-eastern Spain. As of January 2011, it has a population of 218,210 inhabitants being the Region’s second largest municipality and the country’s 6th non-Province capital...
. Together Monarch and drove ashore the 64-gun Oriflamme.
Monarch was recommissioned in July 1759 under Captain Lachlin Leslie, but spent her time on harbour service and was paid off in September 1760. She was surveyed on 24 October 1760, but was not repaired and instead was sold at Woolwich
Woolwich
Woolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
on 25 November that year for the sum of £1,065.