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HMS Constant Warwick (1645)

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History
Royal Navy EnsignEngland
NameConstant Warwick
BuilderPeter Pett I, Ratcliff
Launched1645
Captured1691
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type32-gun fourth rate frigate
Tons burthen315.5 tons (321 tonnes)
Length85 ft (26 m) (keel)
Beam26 ft 5 in (8.05 m)
Depth of hold13 ft 2 in (4.01 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull rigged ship
Armament32 guns - comprising 12 culverins, 12 demi-culverins and 10 sakers
General characteristics by 1660[1]
Class and type32-gun fourth rate frigate
Tons burthen341.25 tons (347.5 tonnes)
Length88 ft (27 m) (keel)
Beam27 ft 0 in (8.23 m)
Depth of hold12 ft 8 in (3.86 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull rigged ship
Armament34 guns
General characteristics after 1666 rebuild[2]
Class and type42-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen379.8 tons (385.9 tonnes)
Length90 ft (27 m) (keel)
Beam28 ft 2 in (8.59 m)
Depth of hold12 ft 8 in (3.86 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull rigged ship
Armament42 guns - comprising 20 demi-culverins, 18 sakers (6-pounder guns) and 4 light sakers (5-pounder guns)

The Constant Warwick was a 32-gun fourth rate frigate which served in the English Royal Navy, built by Peter Pett I at Ratcliff and launched in 1645.[1] She is sometimes regarded as the 'first English frigate',[1] although a number of vessels built or acquired earlier (during the 1630s and 1640s) also merit a similar description. The term 'frigate' during the period of this ship referred to a method of construction, rather than a role which did not develop until the following century.

She was not built for the Navy, but was built as a privateer for a consortium which included the Earl of Warwick (hence her name) and Sir William Batten (Surveyor of the Navy), but was hired by the navy from 1646 until 20 January 1649, when she was purchased outright.[1]

Constant Warwick was rebuilt at least once. Her original dimensions altered by 1660, evidence that she may have seen structural changes during the 1650s. She was certainly rebuilt by Sir John Tippetts at Portsmouth Dockyard in 1666 as a 42-gun fourth rate ship of the line. Her armament had been reduced to 40 guns by 1685,[2] with eighteen demi-culverins (drakes) on the lower deck, eighteen sakers (6-pounder guns) on the upper deck, and four 3-pounder guns on the quarter deck. She was downgraded to a fifth rate in 1691, scheduled to be reduced to 28 guns, but before this took effect she was captured on 12 July 1691 off Portugal by a French squadron.[2]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Lavery, Ships of the Line vol. 1, p. 159.
  2. ^ a b c Lavery, Ships of the Line vol. 1, p. 161.

References

  • Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.