HMS Warwick was a 60-gun fourth 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...

, built to the 1719 Establishment

1719 Establishment

The 1719 Establishment was the first formal 'Establishment' laid down to govern the construction of all ships built or rebuilt down to those of 20 carriage guns, whether in the Royal Dockyards or by commercial contractors...

 at Plymouth Dockyard, and launched on 25 October 1733.

In 1756, whilst under the command of Captain Molyneux Shuldham

Molyneux Shuldham, 1st Baron Shuldham

Molyneux Shuldham was an officer of the British Royal Navy. He served for a time as colonial governor of Newfoundland.-Family and early life:...

, Warwick encountered a French squadron comprising the 74-gun Prudente, a 60-gun ship and a 36-gun frigate

Frigate

A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

. Though succeeding in evading the two large ships, the frigate was able to catch up to her and managed to rake Warwick's stern, and delayed her enough for the other French vessels to arrive. Captain Shuldham was forced to surrender. Warwick was subsequently commissioned into the French navy, and was recaptured by the Royal Navy on 24 January 1761.

Warwick was broken up later in 1761.