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HMS Salisbury (1746)
Encyclopedia
HMS Salisbury was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
of the Royal Navy
. She was built during the War of the Austrian Succession
and went on to see action in the Seven Years' War
, serving in the East Indies
.
Salisbury started her career in the western approaches
, where she took part in blockades of the French coast and cruises against French ships and privateer
s, serving with Sir George Anson
and Sir Peter Warren's fleets. During this period Salisburys surgeon
carried out experiments into the use of citrus fruit against scurvy
. After some time spent as a guardship at Plymouth
during the peace, Salisbury was sent to the East Indies, where she spent the rest of her career.
Salisbury was active during the Seven Years' War
, serving with George Pocock
's fleet, and seeing action in most of his engagements with the Comte d'Aché. She fought at Cuddalore
, Negapatam
and Pondicherry
, and remained in the East Indies until being condemned as unserviceable at Bombay
in 1761.
on 23 April 1744, with the order being repeated on 2 May 1744. She was laid down on 23 May 1744 and launched on 29 January 1746. Salisbury was completed at Portsmouth
between 16 February and 4 April 1746, having cost £13,068.0.0d to build with a further £4,707.9.0d spent on fitting her out. She was commissioned in January 1746 under her first commander, Captain George Edgcumbe
.
and the western approaches
of the English Channel. She was with Sir George Anson's
fleet off Cape Finisterre
between September and October 1746, and again in 1747. She captured the 30-gun French East Indiaman Jason that year and served with Sir Peter Warren's fleet in 1748.
, who carried out several experiments during her sixth patrol in the approaches to demonstrate the effectiveness of citrus fruit as a cure for scurvy
. Salisbury left Portsmouth
, England, on 29 March 1747, and on 31 March she captured a French privateer
. She brought this prize into Plymouth
, off-loaded the prisoners and topped up her provisions, then returned to sea on 2 April. On 11 April she captured a small French fishing vessel and sent her to Plymouth as a prize. Over the following weeks Salisbury patrolled the Bay of Biscay near the Loire estuary. Lind’s experiment began on 20 May, after eight weeks at sea. He picked a dozen men with scurvy, and assigned two each to cider, elixir of vitriol, vinegar, sea water, oranges and lemons, and a purgative mixture. By the time Salisbury returned to Plymouth
at the end of May, the two assigned to citrus fruit had recovered. Lind published his Treatise on the subject in 1753. Though not considered the first ever clinical trial
ever conducted, Lind's experiments aboard Salisbury was the first clinical trial to include control groups
. Lind later became known as the "father of clinical trials" and within a few decades, the Royal Navy, having adopted citrus foods as part of their crews' on board diet, largely eliminated the disease from their ships.
in March that year. During the Seven Years' War
she took part in the capture of Geriah on 14 January 1756, and the following year came under the command of Captain William Martin. Martin was succeeded in April 1758 by Captain John Somerset. Salisbury was present at the Battle of Cuddalore
on 29 April 1758, fighting with George Pocock
's fleet against the Comte d'Aché. Captain William Brereton took command in June 1758, and under him Salisbury fought at the Battle of Negapatam
on 3 August 1758. She was under Captain Digby Dent from 1759, though Captain Sir William Baird had taken over by March that year. Salisbury fought at the Battle of Pondicherry
on 10 September 1759, and remained in the East Indies until finally condemned to be broken up as unserviceable at Bombay
on 24 April 1761.
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 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...
and went on to see action in 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...
, serving in the East Indies
East Indies
East Indies is a term used by Europeans from the 16th century onwards to identify what is now known as Indian subcontinent or South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and the islands of Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines...
.
Salisbury started her career in the western approaches
Western Approaches
The Western Approaches is a rectangular area of the Atlantic ocean lying on the western coast of Great Britain. The rectangle is higher than it is wide, the north and south boundaries defined by the north and south ends of the British Isles, the eastern boundary lying on the western coast, and the...
, where she took part in blockades of the French coast and cruises against French ships and privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
s, serving with Sir George Anson
George Anson, 1st Baron Anson
Admiral of the Fleet George Anson, 1st Baron Anson PC, FRS, RN was a British admiral and a wealthy aristocrat, noted for his circumnavigation of the globe and his role overseeing the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War...
and Sir Peter Warren's fleets. During this period Salisburys surgeon
Ship's doctor
A Ship's doctor or Ship's surgeon is the person responsible for the health of the people aboard a ship whilst at sea. The term "ship's doctor" or "ship's surgeon" appears often in reference to the Age of Sail British Royal Navy's "surgeons." These men, like other physicians, often did not have much...
carried out experiments into the use of citrus fruit against scurvy
Scurvy
Scurvy is a disease resulting from a deficiency of vitamin C, which is required for the synthesis of collagen in humans. The chemical name for vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is derived from the Latin name of scurvy, scorbutus, which also provides the adjective scorbutic...
. After some time spent as a guardship at Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
during the peace, Salisbury was sent to the East Indies, where she spent the rest of her career.
Salisbury was active 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...
, serving with George Pocock
George Pocock
Sir George Pocock, KB was a British officer of the Royal Navy. He rose to the rank of admiral.Pocock was from Chieveley in Berkshire, the son of Thomas Pocock, a chaplain in the navy. George Pocock entered the navy in 1718, serving aboard under the patronage of his maternal uncle, Captain...
's fleet, and seeing action in most of his engagements with the Comte d'Aché. She fought at Cuddalore
Battle of Cuddalore (1758)
The naval Battle of Cuddalore took place on 29 April 1758 during the Seven Years' War near Cuddalore off the Carnatic coast of India and was an indecisive battle between a British squadron under Vice-Admiral George Pocock and French squadron under Comte d'Aché...
, Negapatam
Battle of Negapatam (1758)
Battle of Negapatam may refer one of the third battles between French and British fleets off the coast of Negapatam in India :* Battle of Negapatam * Battle of Negapatam * Battle of Negapatam...
and Pondicherry
Battle of Pondicherry
The Battle of Pondicherry was a naval battle between a British squadron under Vice-Admiral George Pocock and French squadron under Comte d'Aché off the Carnatic coast of India near Pondicherry during the Seven Years' War. The battle took place on 10 September 1759. The outcome was indecisive....
, and remained in the East Indies until being condemned as unserviceable at Bombay
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
in 1761.
Construction and commissioning
Salisbury was ordered to the designs of the 1741 proposals from Philemon Ewer at East CowesEast Cowes
East Cowes is a town and civil parish to the north of the Isle of Wight, on the east bank of the River Medina next to its neighbour on the west bank, Cowes....
on 23 April 1744, with the order being repeated on 2 May 1744. She was laid down on 23 May 1744 and launched on 29 January 1746. Salisbury was completed at Portsmouth
Portsmouth
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...
between 16 February and 4 April 1746, having cost £13,068.0.0d to build with a further £4,707.9.0d spent on fitting her out. She was commissioned in January 1746 under her first commander, Captain George Edgcumbe
George Edgcumbe, 1st Earl of Mount Edgcumbe
Admiral George Edgcumbe, 1st Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, PC was a British peer, naval officer and politician....
.
War of the Austrian Succession
Salisbury was assigned to the Western Squadron, which patrolled the sea areas around the Bay of BiscayBay of Biscay
The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea. It lies along the western coast of France from Brest south to the Spanish border, and the northern coast of Spain west to Cape Ortegal, and is named in English after the province of Biscay, in the Spanish...
and the western approaches
Western Approaches
The Western Approaches is a rectangular area of the Atlantic ocean lying on the western coast of Great Britain. The rectangle is higher than it is wide, the north and south boundaries defined by the north and south ends of the British Isles, the eastern boundary lying on the western coast, and the...
of the English Channel. She was with Sir George Anson's
George Anson, 1st Baron Anson
Admiral of the Fleet George Anson, 1st Baron Anson PC, FRS, RN was a British admiral and a wealthy aristocrat, noted for his circumnavigation of the globe and his role overseeing the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War...
fleet 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....
between September and October 1746, and again in 1747. She captured the 30-gun French East Indiaman Jason that year and served with Sir Peter Warren's fleet in 1748.
Lind's experiments
Serving aboard Salisbury as ship's surgeon during this period was James LindJames Lind
James Lind FRSE FRCPE was a Scottish physician. He was a pioneer of naval hygiene in the Royal Navy. By conducting the first ever clinical trial, he developed the theory that citrus fruits cured scurvy...
, who carried out several experiments during her sixth patrol in the approaches to demonstrate the effectiveness of citrus fruit as a cure for scurvy
Scurvy
Scurvy is a disease resulting from a deficiency of vitamin C, which is required for the synthesis of collagen in humans. The chemical name for vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is derived from the Latin name of scurvy, scorbutus, which also provides the adjective scorbutic...
. Salisbury left Portsmouth
Portsmouth
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...
, England, on 29 March 1747, and on 31 March she captured a French privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
. She brought this prize into Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, off-loaded the prisoners and topped up her provisions, then returned to sea on 2 April. On 11 April she captured a small French fishing vessel and sent her to Plymouth as a prize. Over the following weeks Salisbury patrolled the Bay of Biscay near the Loire estuary. Lind’s experiment began on 20 May, after eight weeks at sea. He picked a dozen men with scurvy, and assigned two each to cider, elixir of vitriol, vinegar, sea water, oranges and lemons, and a purgative mixture. By the time Salisbury returned to Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
at the end of May, the two assigned to citrus fruit had recovered. Lind published his Treatise on the subject in 1753. Though not considered the first ever clinical trial
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
ever conducted, Lind's experiments aboard Salisbury was the first clinical trial to include control groups
Scientific control
Scientific control allows for comparisons of concepts. It is a part of the scientific method. Scientific control is often used in discussion of natural experiments. For instance, during drug testing, scientists will try to control two groups to keep them as identical and normal as possible, then...
. Lind later became known as the "father of clinical trials" and within a few decades, the Royal Navy, having adopted citrus foods as part of their crews' on board diet, largely eliminated the disease from their ships.
Peace and Seven Years' War
Salisbury was surveyed on 20 January 1749 and underwent repairs at Plymouth from December 1749 until February 1751. She was recommissioned in January 1753 under Captain Thomas Knowler, and served as the Plymouth guardship. She was again fitted out, in February 1754, and sailed to the East IndiesEast Indies
East Indies is a term used by Europeans from the 16th century onwards to identify what is now known as Indian subcontinent or South Asia, Southeastern Asia, and the islands of Oceania, including the Malay Archipelago and the Philippines...
in March that year. 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...
she took part in the capture of Geriah on 14 January 1756, and the following year came under the command of Captain William Martin. Martin was succeeded in April 1758 by Captain John Somerset. Salisbury was present at the Battle of Cuddalore
Battle of Cuddalore (1758)
The naval Battle of Cuddalore took place on 29 April 1758 during the Seven Years' War near Cuddalore off the Carnatic coast of India and was an indecisive battle between a British squadron under Vice-Admiral George Pocock and French squadron under Comte d'Aché...
on 29 April 1758, fighting with George Pocock
George Pocock
Sir George Pocock, KB was a British officer of the Royal Navy. He rose to the rank of admiral.Pocock was from Chieveley in Berkshire, the son of Thomas Pocock, a chaplain in the navy. George Pocock entered the navy in 1718, serving aboard under the patronage of his maternal uncle, Captain...
's fleet against the Comte d'Aché. Captain William Brereton took command in June 1758, and under him Salisbury fought at the Battle of Negapatam
Battle of Negapatam (1758)
Battle of Negapatam may refer one of the third battles between French and British fleets off the coast of Negapatam in India :* Battle of Negapatam * Battle of Negapatam * Battle of Negapatam...
on 3 August 1758. She was under Captain Digby Dent from 1759, though Captain Sir William Baird had taken over by March that year. Salisbury fought at the Battle of Pondicherry
Battle of Pondicherry
The Battle of Pondicherry was a naval battle between a British squadron under Vice-Admiral George Pocock and French squadron under Comte d'Aché off the Carnatic coast of India near Pondicherry during the Seven Years' War. The battle took place on 10 September 1759. The outcome was indecisive....
on 10 September 1759, and remained in the East Indies until finally condemned to be broken up as unserviceable at Bombay
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
on 24 April 1761.