English ship Charles (1632) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 England |
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| Name |
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| Builder | Peter Pett, Woolwich |
| Launched | 1632 |
| Fate | Wrecked, 1650 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 44-gun second rank ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 810 |
| Length | 105 ft (32 m) (keel) |
| Beam | 33 ft 7 in (10.24 m) |
| Depth of hold | 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament | 44 guns of various weights of shot |
The Charles was a powerful warship built for the English navy in 1632. It was a "second-rank" ship, meaning it was a large and important vessel, though not the biggest. This ship was designed to fight in battle, carrying 44 guns.
The Charles was later renamed Liberty in 1649. Sadly, its career ended when it ran aground and was wrecked in October 1650. This happened off the coast near Harwich, in Essex, England.
Contents
Meet the Charles: A Ship of the Line
The Charles was known as a ship of the line. This term meant it was strong enough to be part of the main battle line during a naval fight. These ships would sail in a line, firing their cannons at enemy vessels.
Building a Mighty Warship
The Charles was built by a famous shipbuilder named Peter Pett. He worked at Woolwich, which was a very important shipyard in England. The ship was launched in 1632, meaning it was put into the water for the first time that year.
- Size: The Charles was about 105 feet long along its keel (the main bottom part of the ship).
- Width: It was about 33 feet wide across its beam (the widest part of the ship).
- Depth: The hold, which is the space inside the ship for cargo or supplies, was about 16 feet deep.
- Weight: The ship weighed about 810 tons burthen. This was a way to measure how much cargo a ship could carry.
What Was a "Second Rank" Ship?
In the 17th century, naval ships were ranked by their size and how many guns they carried. A "second-rank" ship like the Charles was a large warship. It was smaller than a "first-rank" ship, which had the most guns, but still very important for the navy.
Life on Board
The Charles was a Full-rigged ship. This means it had three or more masts, each with square sails. These sails helped the ship move across the oceans. Life on a ship like the Charles would have been tough. Sailors lived in cramped spaces and worked hard to keep the ship running.
The Ship's Armament
The Charles carried 44 guns. These were cannons of different sizes, firing various weights of cannonballs. These guns were its main defense and attack power. They were used to protect England's interests at sea and fight against enemy ships.
A New Name and a Sad End
In 1649, the Charles was given a new name: the Liberty. This was during a time of big changes in England. However, the ship's new name did not bring it good luck for long.
The Wreck of the Liberty
Just one year later, in October 1650, the Liberty met its end. It ran aground, meaning it hit the bottom of the sea in shallow water. This happened off the coast of Harwich, a town in Essex. The ship was wrecked and could no longer be used.
