1646 Programme Group

Last updated

Class overview
Name1646 Programme Group
Builders
Operators
  • English Red Ensign 1620.svg Commonwealth Of England
  • English Red Ensign 1620.svg Kingdom of England
  • Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy
Preceded by 1637 Group
Succeeded by 1647 Programme Group
Built1645 - 1646
In service1646 - 1709
Completed3
Lost2
Retired1
General characteristics
Type34-gun Fourth Rate
Sail plan ship-rigged
Armament32 to 34 guns

The 1646 Programme of Fourth Rate vessels were basically three individual ships built to differing dimensions. With Parliament approving the disposal of six elderly ships, instructions were issued for the speedy building of other vessels in their place. The main specification was to build vessels to carry 32 to 34 guns. Each vessel would have 11 pairs lower deck gun ports and five or six pairs on the quarterdeck. The vessels would actually have varying number of guns and the dimensional data would vary considerably. Three vessels were ordered in December 1645. [1]

Contents

Design and specifications

The construction of the vessels was assigned to Woolwich and Deptford dockyards. The ships would be built under the supervision of Peter Pett I at Deptford and Peter Pett II at Woolwich. As with most vessels of this time period only order and launch dates are available. The dimensional data was so varied that it will be listed on the individual vessels along with their gun armament. [2]

Ships of the 1646 Programme Group

NameBuilderLaunch dateRemarks
Adventure (1646) Woolwich Dockyard1646
  • Rebuilt as Fifth Rate 1691
  • taken by French 1709
Assurance (1646) Deptford Dockyard1646
  • Reduced to Fifth Rate 1690
  • Sold 1698
Nonsuch (1646) Deptford Dockyard1646
  • Wrecked at Gibraltar 3 December 1664

Citations

  1. Winfield 2009
  2. Winfield 2009

Related Research Articles

Nonsuch was a 32-gun fourth-rate of the English Navy, built by Peter Pett I at Deptford Dockyard and launched in 1646. She was in the Parliamentary force during the English Civil War, then the Commonwealth Navy and was incorporated into the Royal Navy after the Restoration in 1660. During her time in the Commonwealth Navy she partook in the Battles of Krntish Knock, Portland and Gabbard. She was wreck at Gibraltar in 1664.

English ship <i>Phoenix</i> (1647)

Phoenix was a fourth rate of the Kingdom of England. Her initial commission was in the Parliamentary Naval Force during the English Civil War. During the Anglo-Dutch War she was taken by the Dutch at the Battle of Montecristo. She was recaptured during the Battle of Leghorn by a boat attack. Recommissioned she participated in the Battle of Sheveningen. She went to the Mediterranean in 1658 and remained there until wrecked in December 1664.

Diamond was a 40-gun fourth-rate frigate of the English Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England by Peter Pett at Deptford Dockyard, and launched on 15 March 1652. By 1677 her armament had been increased to 48 guns.

HMS Drake was a member of the standardized 20-gun sixth rates built at the end of the 17th Century. After commissioning she was lost within three months on the Irish Coast in a storm on 20 December 1694.

The Flamborough sixth rates were basically repeats of the Maidstone Group and designed and built by Richard Stacey, Master Shipwright of Woolwich. Two vessels were ordered. Their armament was similar as were the dimensions of the vessels. They were constructed between 1706 and 1708.

The Gibraltar Group of sixth rates were basically repeats of the Maidstone Group. Ten ships were ordered with one of a slightly different design and another added in 1711, for a total of twelve vessels. Their armament was similar as were the dimensions of the vessels. They were constructed between 1710 and 1716.

HMS Blandford was a member of the Gibraltar Group of 24-gun sixth rates. After commissioning she spent her career in Home Waters and the Baltic on trade protection duties. She was lost with all hands in a storm in the Bay of Biscay in March 1719.

HMS Rose was a member of the Gibraltar Group of 24-gun sixth rates. After commissioning she spent her career in Home waters and North America on trade protection duties. She was rebuilt at Woolwich between 1722 and 1724. After her rebuild she served in Home Waters, North America, West Indies and the Mediterranean on trade protection. She was sold in 1744.

HMS Greyhound was a member of the Gibraltar Group of 24-gun sixth rates. After commissioning she spent her career in Home waters and the Mediterranean on trade protection duties. She was captured by five Spanish warships off Morocco in 1718 then recaptured in 1719 and burnt.

HMS Pembroke was a fifth rate built under the 1689 programme built at Deptford Dockyard. Her guns were listed under old terms for guns as demi-culverines, sakers and minions. After commissioning she spent her short career in Home Waters and the West Indies. She was taken by the French and runashore in 1694.

HMS Milford was a fifth rate built under the 1689 programme built at Deptford Dockyard. Her guns were listed under old terms for guns as demi-culverines, sakers and minions. After commissioning she spent her short career in Newfoundland and Home Waters. She was taken by the French in 1693.

The Modified 1719 Establishment Group of sixth rates were basically identical to the 1719 Establishment Group except the were two feet wider. One ship would be a rebuild of an earlier vessel and one vessel of new construction. These vessels like the 1719 Establishment Group would have no lower gun ports, however, would have ten oar ports per side on the lower deck. These ships would be constructed between 1729 and 1732.

The 1647 Programme of four 370 ton fourth-rate vessels was approved by Parliament on 9 January 1647. The ships were to carry a minimum of 32 guns in peacetime and 38 guns in wartime. Each vessel would have 11 pairs lower deck gun ports and eventually an equal number on the upper deck with two pairs on the quarterdeck. The vessels would actually have varying number of guns and the dimensional data would vary considerably. Three vessels were ordered in December 1645.

The 1649 Programme of four 370 ton Fourth Rate vessels was approved by Parliament on 9 January 1647. The ships were to carry a minmum of 32 guns in peacetime and 38 guns in wartime. Each vessel would have 11 pairs lower deck gun ports and eventually an equal number on the upper deck with two pairs on the quarterdeck. The vessels would actually have varying number of guns and the dimensional data would vary considerably. Three vessels were ordered in December 1645.

The 1650 Programme of six 510 ton Fourth Rate vessels was initiated by the Council of State on 16 November 1649. On 2 January 1650 the Admiralty Committee confirmed that six 'frigrates' had been ordered at a cost of 6.10.0d per ton. The ships would be built under contract with the exception of one ship built in Dockyard. The ships were all named by 16 August 1650 and launched by the end of the year. Each ship was to carry initially 34 guns and 150 men. This would increase over time

The 1651 Programme of five 410-ton fourth-rate vessels was urged by the Council of State all speed should be made in completing the ships in May 1650. Initially five vessels were specified, three of 410 tons at 6.10.0d per ton and two of 600 tons at £7.10.0d per ton. The size of these vessels grew from the 1647 predecessors with 600 tonners being much broader. The three 410-ton vessels would be completed as 34-gun frigates.

The Crane Group of four 200 ton small galleons were built after the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. These vessels were all armed with about 20 guns and were rated in the six tier rating system of 1626 as Fourth Rate ships. They were all gone by the 1630s.

Advantage was a small galleon in the service of the English Navy Royal. She spent her career in the Channel Guard during two more attempts by Philip II of Spain to invade England. She maintained this assignment until she went to the English Channel. She was accidentally burnt in Scotland in 1613.

Crow was a 36-gun fourth rate vessel captured from the French by the English, She was captured on 9 September 1652 as the 36-gun Le Croissant. She was commissioned into the Parliamentary Naval Force as Crow. She was sold 1656.

The Ruby Group of two 600 ton Fourth Rate vessels were part of the 1651 Programme. They were the two larger vessels. Initially five vessels were specified, three of 410 tons at 6.10.0d per ton and two of 600 tons at £7.10.0d per ton. The size of these vessels grew from the 1647 predecessors with 600 tonners being much broader. The two 600-ton vessels would be completed as 42-gun Fourth Rates.

References