English ship Dreadnought (1573) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
  England |
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| Name | Dreadnought |
| Builder | Deptford Dockyard |
| Launched | 1573 |
| Fate | Broken up, 1648 |
| Notes |
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| General characteristics as built | |
| Class and type | 41-gun galleon |
| Tons burthen | 360 |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Complement | 200 |
| Armament | 41 guns of various weights of shot |
| General characteristics after 1592 rebuild | |
| Tons burthen | 360 |
| Complement | 200 |
| General characteristics after 1614 rebuild | |
| Class and type | 32-gun middling ship |
| Tons burthen | 360 |
| Length | 80 ft (24 m) (keel) |
| Beam | 30 ft (9.1 m) |
| Depth of hold | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament | 29 principal guns of various weights of shot, plus 4 smaller anti-personnel guns |
Dreadnought was a powerful warship, a type of galleon, built for the English navy in 1573. She was a very advanced ship for her time, much like HMS Dreadnought of 1906 was centuries later.
When John Hawkins became the Treasurer of the Navy in 1577, he had traveled all over the world. He used his experience to create new designs for galleons. Dreadnought was the second ship built with these new ideas.
Contents
A New Kind of Ship
These new ships were called "race-built" galleons. They were different because they did not have the tall front part (called a forecastle) or the tall back part (called an aftcastle) that older galleons had. This made them faster and easier to steer. People at the time said these ships could "run circles around the clumsier Spanish competition."
Dreadnought's Role in Famous Battles
Dreadnought took part in many important naval fights between England and Spain. These battles happened in the late 1500s and early 1600s.
Raids and the Spanish Armada
- Raid on Cadiz (1587): Under Captain Thomas Fenner, Dreadnought was part of Sir Francis Drake's fleet. This fleet attacked the Spanish port of Cadiz. This famous event was known as "singeing the King of Spain's Beard."
- Spanish Armada (1588): The ship, led by George Beeston, helped the English fleet fight against the huge Spanish Armada. The Armada was a large Spanish fleet that tried to invade England.
- Capture of Cadiz (1596): Later, in 1596, with Sir Alexander Clifford as captain, Dreadnought joined an English and Dutch fleet. They successfully captured Cadiz again.
Later Engagements
- Battle of Sesimbra Bay (1602): On June 2, 1602, Dreadnought was part of a fleet led by Ricard Leveson. They captured a Portuguese ship called Sao Valentinho at Cezimbra Roads.
- Cadiz Expedition (1625): In 1625, when fighting with Spain started again, Dreadnought went on another trip to Cadiz. This time, she was part of a fleet commanded by Viscount Wimbledon.
- Siege of La Rochelle (1628): In 1628, the ship tried to help relieve the Siege of La Rochelle by sea. However, this attempt was not successful.
Rebuilds and Final Years
Dreadnought was rebuilt two times during her service.
- First Rebuild (1592): She was rebuilt for the first time in 1592.
- Second Rebuild (1614): In 1614, she was rebuilt again at Deptford. This time, she became a "middling ship" with 32 guns.
In 1637, Dreadnought was part of the Earl of Northumberland's fleet in the North Sea. She was commanded by Captain Henry Stradling and then by Thomas Kirke.
Finally, Dreadnought was taken apart in 1648. This means she was broken up for her materials after many years of service.
