HMS Mermaid (1651)

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

Class overview
NameMermaid (1651)
Builders
  • six by Dockyard
  • thirteen by contract
Operators Royal Navy
Preceded byPearl (1651)
Succeeded by1689 Programme Group
History
England
NameHMS Mermaid
BuilderMathew Graves, Limehouse
Launched1651
Commissioned1652
Honours and
awards
  • Dover 1652
  • Gabbard 1653
  • Porto Farino 1655
  • Texel 1672
General characteristics
Type32-gun fifth rate
Tons burthen285+85⁄94 bm
Length
  • 105 ft 0 in (32.0 m) gundeck
  • 86 ft 0 in (26.2 m) keel for tonnage
Beam25 ft 0 in (7.6 m) for tonnage
Draught12 ft 0 in (3.7 m)
Depth of hold10 ft 0 in (3.0 m)
Sail planship-rigged
Complement110 in 1666
Armament
  • 1666 Establishment
  • 20 × 4 demi-culverins on wooden trucks (LD)
  • 8 × sakers on wooden trucks (UD)
  • 1677 Establishment
  • 18 × demi-culverins on wooden trucks (LD)
  • 8 × sakers on wooden trucks (UD)
  • 4 × minions on wooden trucks (QD)
  • 1685 Establishment
  • 12 × demi-culverins on wooden trucks (LD)
  • 10 × sakers on wooden trucks (UD)
  • 4 × minions on wooden trucks (QD)
General characteristics as rebuilt 1689
Type32-gun fifth rate
Tons burthen343+30⁄94 bm
Length
  • 106 ft 0 in (32.3 m) gundeck
  • 86 ft 0 in (26.2 m) keel for tonnage
Beam27 ft 4.75 in (8.4 m)
Depth of hold9 ft 6 in (2.9 m)
Sail planship-rigged
Armament
  • 2 × demi-culverins on wooden trucks (LD)
  • 20 × sakers on wooden trucks (UD)
  • 10 × Falcons on wooden trucks (QD)
General characteristics as rebuilt 1707
Type36-gun fifth rate
Tons burthen421+31⁄94 bm
Length
  • 108 ft 0 in (32.9 m) gundeck
  • 90 ft 0 in (27.4 m) keel for tonnage
Beam29 ft 8 in (9.0 m)
Depth of hold12 ft 0 in (3.7 m)
Sail planship-rigged
Armament
  • 8/6 × 12-pdrs on wooden trucks (LD)
  • 22/20 × 6-pdrs on wooden trucks (UD)
  • 6/4 × 4-pdrs on wooden trucks (QD)

HMS Mermaid was a 28-gun fifth rate built under the 1651 programme. She was built under contract at Limehouse. After commissioning she spent her early career with Robert Blake's Fleet in action off Dover, the Gabbard and in the Mediterranean. After the restoration she served mainly in Home Waters. After her first rebuild she served in Home Waters, North America, Mediterranean and the West Indies. After her second rebuild she served in Home Waters and the West Indies. Her breaking was completed at Deptford on 26 June 1734[1][2]

Mermaid was the second named vessel since it was used for a galley captured in 1545 and listed until 1563.[3]

  1. ^ Winfield 2009.1
  2. ^ Winfield 2009.3
  3. ^ Colledge