English ship Pelican (1650)

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

History
Commonwealth Navy EnsignCommonwealth of England
NamePelican
OrderedDecember 1649
BuilderJohn Taylor, Wapping
Launched1650
Commissioned1650
Honours and
awards
  • Kentish Knock 1652
  • Portland 1653
  • Gabbard 1653
  • Scheveninged 1653
FateAccidentally burnt at Portsmouth 13 February 1656
General characteristics
Class and type42-gun Fourth-rate
Tons burthen516+64⁄94 tons (bm)
Length100 ft 0 in (30.5 m) keel for tonnage
Beam30 ft 8 in (9.3 m)
Depth of hold15 ft 4 in (4.7 m)
Sail planship-rigged
Complement180 personnel in 1653
Armament42 guns (1653)

The Pelican was one of six 40-gun fourth-rate frigates, built for the Commonwealth of England under the 1650 Programme. After commissioning she partook in the First Anglo-Dutch War being present at the Battles of Kentish Knock, Portland, the Gabbard and Scheveningen. She was accidentally burnt at Portsmouth in early 1656.[1][2]

Pelican was the fourth named vessel since it was used for an 18-gun ship (privateer), with Drake in 1577, renamed Golden Hind in September 1578, mentioned in 1662 (doubtful if ever in the Navy Royal).[3]

  1. ^ Winfield 5
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Lavery, SoLv1 p160 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Colledge