HMS Sapphire (1651)

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

History
Commonwealth Navy EnsignCommonwealth of England
NameSapphire
BuilderPeter Pett I, Ratcliffe
Launched1651
Commissioned1651
Honours and
awards
  • Kentish Knock 1652
  • Dungeness 1652
  • Portland 1653
  • The Gabbard 1653
  • Scheveningen 1653
FateWrecked 30 May 1657
Royal Navy EnsignEngland
NameSapphire
AcquiredMay 1660
FateRun ashore to evade capture on 31 March 1670
General characteristics
Class and type38-gun Fourth-rate
Tons burthen442+20⁄94 tons bm
Length100 ft 0 in (30.5 m) keel for tonnage
Beam28 ft 10 in (8.8 m)
Depth of hold14 ft 5 in (4.4 m)
Sail planship-rigged
Complement
  • 140 in 1653
  • 160/130/90 in 1666
Armament
  • 38 guns in 1653
  • 40 guns under 1666 Establishment
  • 12 × culverins
  • 10 × demi-culverins
  • 14 × sakers
  • 4 × 3-pounder guns
  • 36/30 guns in 1670

Sapphire was a 38-gun fourth-rate of the Commonwealth of England. After commissioning she was actively involved in the First Anglo-Dutch War participating in most major fleet actions. During the Second Anglo-Dutch War she was only in the first two engagements then spent her time in Irish Waters and the Mediterranean. She was run ashore due to a pending attack by suspected Algerian pirates on Sicily in March 1670.[1]

Sapphire was the first named vessel in the English and Royal Navy.[2]

  1. ^ Winfield 8
  2. ^ Colledge