History
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
NameHMS Greenwich
BuilderChristopher Pett, Woolwich Dockyard
Launched1666
FateWrecked, 1744
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type54-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen646 tons
Length110 ft (34 m) (keel)
Beam33 ft 6 in (10.21 m)
Depth of hold14 ft 6 in (4.42 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament54 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1699 rebuild[2]
Class and type46-54-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen785 tons
Length135 ft 10 in (41.40 m) (gundeck)
Beam36 ft (11 m)
Depth of hold13 ft 6+1⁄2 in (4.1 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament46-54 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1730 rebuild[3]
Class and type1719 Establishment 50-gun fourth-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen759 tons
Length134 ft (41 m) (gundeck)
Beam36 ft (11 m)
Depth of hold15 ft 2 in (4.62 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament
  • 50 guns:
  • Gundeck: 22 × 18 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 22 × 9 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 4 × 6 pdrs
  • Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs

HMS Greenwich was a 54-gun fourth-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Christopher Pett at Woolwich Dockyard and launched in 1666.[1]

Greenwich was rebuilt at Portsmouth Dockyard in 1699 as a fourth-rate of 46-54 guns.[2] She fought at the action of August 1702 as part of a squadron under Admiral John Benbow, but hung back from the engagement. As a result, her Captain Cooper Wade was tried and convicted of cowardice and shot. On 16 April 1724 she was ordered to be taken to pieces at Chatham, and rebuilt as a 50-gun fourth-rate to the dimensions of the 1719 Establishment, relaunching on 15 February 1730.[3]

On 20 October 1744, whilst preparing to come alongside the hulk HMS Lark, they were struck by hurricane-force winds which caused severe damage to both vessels, which subsequently sank. From Greenwich, Captain Allen and 85 others were drowned. His Majesty's ships St Albans, Bonetta and Thunder were also lost in this incident.[4]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p161.
  2. 1 2 Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p167.
  3. 1 2 Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p170.
  4. ↑ Ships of the Old Navy, Greenwich 1730.

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.
  • Michael Phillips. Greenwich (54) (1730). Michael Phillips' Ships of the Old Navy. Retrieved 2 December 2007.


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