HMS Paramour (1694)

History
England
NameHMS Paramour
BuilderFisher Harding, Deptford
LaunchedApril 1694
FateSold on 22 August 1706
General characteristics
Class and type6-gun pink
Tons burthen89 bm
Length64 ft 8 in (19.7 m)
Beam18 ft (5.5 m)
Draught9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
ComplementApproximately 20
Armament6 guns

HMS Paramour was a 6-gun pink of the Royal Navy, briefly commanded by the astronomer Edmond Halley, initially as a civilian and later as a "temporary captain".

Paramour was built by Fisher Harding of Deptford and launched in April 1694. She was rigged as a three-masted ship and was the first vessel built specifically as a research vessel for the Royal Navy. On one occasion during her sea-trials the visiting Tsar Peter I took her helm.

After three voyages under Halley's captaincy she was refitted in 1702 as a bomb ketch (equipped with a large calibre mortar) in which capacity she remained in the Royal Navy until 22 August 1706 when she was sold to Captain John Constable for (probably) mercantile service. Her subsequent fate is unknown.