English ship Selby (1654)

Last updated

History
English Red Ensign 1620.svg England [1]
NameSelby
Namesake Battle of Selby
Operator
Ordered1 October 1653
BuilderCaptain John Taylor, Wapping
Launched22 April 1654
Commissioned1654
Renamed Eagle in 1660
FateSunk as a foundation 1694
General characteristics as built 1654
Type22-gun fifth rate
Tons burthen2995694 bm
Length85 ft 6 in (26.1 m) keel for tonnage
Beam25 ft 8 in (7.8 m) for tonnage
Draught12 ft (3.7 m)
Depth of hold10 ft 0 in (3.0 m)
Sail plan ship-rigged
Complement100 in 1660, 110 in 1666, 135 in 1667
Armament
  • As built 1654
  • 18 x demi-culverins (UD)
  • 4 x sakers (QD)

Selby was a fifth-rate warship of the Commonwealth of England's naval forces, one of six such ships built under the 1653 Programme (the others were Islip, Colchester, Fagons, Basing, and Grantham). She was built by contract with Master Shipwright Captain John Taylor at his yard at Wapping, London, and was launched on 22 April 1654 as a 22-gun Fifth rate. She was named Selby after the victory of Parliamentary forces under Thomas Fairfax in capturing that town in 1644.

Contents

Her length on the keel was recorded as 85 feet 6 inches (26.1 metres) for tonnage calculation. The breadth was 25 feet 8 inches (7.8 metres) with a depth in hold of 10 ft 0 in (3.0 m). The tonnage was thus calculated at 2995694 bm tons. [1]

She was originally armed with 22 guns, comprising 18 demi-culverins on the single gundeck and 4 sakers on the quarterdeck. At the Restoration in 1660 she was taken into the Royal Navy and renamed as HMS Eagle. By 1665 she actually carried 26 guns, comprising 16 demi-culverins on the gundeck and 10 sakers on the quarterdeck. She was converted into a fireship in 1674, and subsequently served as a guardship. In 1694 she was sunk as a foundation (breakwater) at Sheerness Dockyard. [1]

Notes

    Citations

    1. 1 2 3 Rif Winfield, British Warships in the Age of Sail 1603-1714, p.154.

    References