HMS Lenox (1678)

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

Battle between the Spanish 70-gun Princess (right foreground), and HMS Lenox, Orford and Kent, 8 April 1740
History
Royal Navy EnsignEngland
NameHMS Lenox
OrderedApril 1677
BuilderDeptford Dockyard
Laid down25 June 1677
Launched18 April 1678
Decommissioned9 May 1678
Honours and
awards
  • Barfleur 1692
  • Gibraltar 1704
  • Velez Malaga 1704
  • Passero 1718
FateSunk as a breakwater at Sheerness April 1756
General characteristics as built
Class and type70-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen101274⁄94 tons (bm)
Length
  • 151 ft 6 in (46.18 m) gundeck
  • 120 ft 0 in (36.58 m) keel for tonnage
Beam39 ft 8 in (12.09 m)
Draught18 ft 0 in (5.49 m)
Depth of hold17 ft 0 in (5.18 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • 1677 Establishment 72/60 guns
  • 26 × demi-cannons (54 cwt – 9.5 ft (LD)
  • 26 × 12-pdr guns 32 cwt – 9 ft (UD)
  • 10 × sakers 16 cwt – 7 ft (QD)
  • 4 × sakers 16 cwt – 7 ft (Fc)
  • 5 × 5 3-pdr guns 5 cwt – 5 ft (RH)
General characteristics after 1701 rebuild
Class and type70-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen1,08911⁄94 tons (bm)
Length
  • 152 ft 7.5 in (46.52 m) gundeck
  • 126 ft 1.5 in (38.44 m) keel for tonnage
Beam40 ft 3.5 in (12.28 m)
Depth of hold17 ft 1 in (5.21 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • 1703 Establishment 70/62 guns
  • 24/22 × 24 pdr guns (LD)
  • 26/24 × demi-culverins (UD)
  • 12/10 × 6-pdr guns (QD)
  • 4/2 × 6-pdr guns (Fc)
  • 4 × 3-pdr guns (RH)
General characteristics 1719 Establishment Group
Class and type1719 Establishment 70-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen1,12829⁄94 tons (bm)
Length
  • 151 ft (46.02 m) gundeck
  • 123 ft (37.49 m)
Beam41 ft 6 in (12.65 m)
Depth of hold17 ft 4 in (5.28 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement440 personnel
Armament
  • 70 guns 1719 Establishment
  • 24 × 24-pdr guns (LD)
  • 26 × 12-pdr guns (UD)
  • 14 × 6-pdr guns (QD)
  • 4 × 6-pdr guns (Fc)
NotesBy 1746 guns reduced to 64 by removing six 6-pounder guns

HMS Lenox was a 70-gun third rate built at Deptford Dockyard in 1677/78. She was in active commission for the War of English Succession fighting in the Battles of Beachy Head and Barfleur. She was rebuilt in 1699. Again in active commission for the War of Spanish Succession fighting in the Capture of Gibraltar and the Battle of Velez Malaga. She followed this with the Battle off Passero. She was rebuilt again in 1721. She was active in the War with Spain, capturing the Princesa then serving in Home Waters, the Mediterranean and finally the West Indies. She was in action off Havana in 1745. She returned home and was placed in Ordinary. She was finally sunk as a breakwater at Sheerness in 1756.

She was named in honour of Charles II illegitimate son, Charles Lennox, his son with Louise de Keroualle (Duchess of Portsmouth). Charles Lennox was made the Duke of Lennox in 1675 . This was the first vessel to bear the name Lenox (also spelt Lennox) in the English and Royal Navy.[1]

HMS Lenox/Lennox was awarded the Battle Honour Barfleur 1692,[2] Gibraltar 1704,[3] Velez-Malaga 1704,[4] and Passero 1718.[5]

  1. ^ Colledge (2020)
  2. ^ Thomas (1998, Battle and Campaign Honours, Section B, Barfleur
  3. ^ Thomas (1998), Battle and Campaign Honours, Section G, Gibraltar
  4. ^ Thomas (1998), Battle and Campaign Honours, Section V, Velez Malaga
  5. ^ Thomas (1998), Battle and Campaign Honours, Section P, Passero