HMS Harwich (1695)

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

History
Royal Navy EnsignEngland
NameHMS Harwich
Ordered18 November 1694
BuilderRobert & John Castle, Deptford
Launched14 September 1695
FateWrecked, 5 October 1700
General characteristics [1]
Class and type50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen683 41⁄94 bm
Length
  • 130 ft 2 in (39.7 m) (gundeck)
  • 109 ft (33.2 m) (keel)
Beam34 ft 4 in (10.5 m)
Depth of hold13 ft 8 in (4.2 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • 50 guns:
  • Lower gundeck 20 x 12 pdr guns
  • Upper gundeck 22 x demi-culverins (9 pdr guns)
  • Quarterdeck 6 x minions (4 pdr guns)
  • Forecastle 2 x minions (4 pdr guns)

HMS Harwich was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, ordered on 18 November 1694 as one of two such ships (the other was the Pendennis) to be built by commercial contract by Robert and John Castle at their yard at Deptford. The Harwich was launched on 14 September and commissioned under Captain Andrew Douglas 1695.[1]

The Harwich was one of four ships sent to Madagascar on an anti-piracy mission under Thomas Warren in 1699.[2] Warren died on 12 November at Madagascar and was succeeded in command by Captain William Cock.

The Harwich was wrecked on 5 October 1700 while careening in China.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Rif Winfield, British Warships in the Age of Sail 1603-1714, p.135.
  2. ^ Grey, Charles (1933). Pirates of the Eastern Seas (1618-1723) A Lurid page of History. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd. p. 220.