HMS Weymouth (1795)

History
Great Britain
NameEarl of Mansfield
OperatorEast India Company
BuilderWells & Co. Rotherhithe
FateSold on stocks to Royal Navy
Great Britain
NameHMS Weymouth
BuilderWells & Co. Rotherhithe
Launched30 September 1795
AcquiredBy purchase on the stocks
CommissionedNever
In service1796
FateWrecked 21 January 1800
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeFourth rate
Tons burthen1416,[2] or 14335694 (bm)
Length
  • 175 ft 6 in (53.5 m) (overall)
  • 144 ft 1 in (43.9 m) (keel)
Beam43 ft 3 in (13.2 m)
Depth of hold19 ft 7 in (6.0 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement344 (Fourth rate)
Armament
  • Fourth rate:
    • Lower deck (LD): 28 × 18-pounder guns
    • Upper deck (UD): 28 × 32-pounder carronades
  • Transport: 26 guns

HMS Weymouth was laid down as the East Indiaman Earl of Mansfield. The British Royal Navy purchased her on the stocks to use as a 56-gun fourth rate. She was launched in 1795 but never was commissioned in the Royal Navy. She was transferred in February 1796 to the Transportation Board as a transport. Lieutenant Robert Passmore took command in June 1796. Commander Charles Ryder succeeded Passmore in July 1798, and Commander Ambrose Crofton replaced Ryder in August 1799.

Having sailed from Portsmouth, she was wrecked on 21 January 1800 on the bar in the Tagus on the coast of Portugal as Crofton was attempting to sail her into Lisbon harbour.[3] Her crew was saved.[4]