HMS St Andrew (1670)

Summary

HMS St Andrew was a 96-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Christopher Pett at Woolwich Dockyard under the supervision of Christopher Pett until his death in March 1668, completed by Jonas Shish, and launched in 1670.[1] Commanded by George Churchill, she took part in the 1692 victory over the French navy at Barfleur & La Hogue.[3]

'HMS St Andrew at Sea in a Moderate Breeze', oil on canvas, by Willem van de Velde the Younger
History
Royal Navy EnsignGreat Britain
NameHMS St Andrew
BuilderChristopher Pett, Woolwich Dockyard
Launched4 October 1670
RenamedHMS Royal Anne
FateBroken up, 1727
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type96-gun first-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen1298 bm
Length129 ft (39 m) (keel)
Beam43 ft 6 in (13.26 m)
Depth of hold18 ft 8 in (5.69 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament96 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1703 rebuild[2]
Class and type100-gun first-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen1722 tons
Length
  • 170 ft (52 m) (gundeck)
  • 140 ft 6 in (42.82 m) (keel)
Beam48 ft (15 m)
Depth of hold19 ft 4 in (5.89 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament100 guns of various weights of shot

In 1703, she was renamed HMS Royal Anne, and rebuilt at Woolwich as a first rate of 100 guns.[2] In 1707, she served as flagship of Vice-Admiral of the Blue Sir George Byng and belonged to Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell's fleet. She saw action during the unsuccessful Battle of Toulon and was present during the great naval disaster off the Isles of Scilly when Shovell and four of his ships (Association, Firebrand, Romney and Eagle) were lost, claiming the lives of nearly 2,000[4] sailors. Royal Anne suffered little to no damage and finally managed to reach Portsmouth.

The Royal Anne was broken up in 1727.[2]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p161.
  2. ^ a b c Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p165.
  3. ^ Hattendorf, John B (2004). "Churchill, George (bap. 1654, d. 1710)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/5399. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. ^ Sobel, Dava, Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time, Fourth Estate Ltd., London 1998, p. 6, ISBN 1-85702-571-7

References edit

  • 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.
  • Winfield, Rif (2009) British Warships in the Age of Sail 1603-1714: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-040-6.