English ship Phoenix (1647) facts for kids
Phoenix (bottom left) at the Battle of Elba between the Staatse fleet under Van Galen and the English fleet, under the command of Richard Badiley in 1652
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Commonwealth of England |
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| Name | Phoenix |
| Builder | Peter Pett II, Woolwich |
| Launched | 1647 |
| Commissioned | 1647 |
| Honours and awards |
Scheveningen 1653 |
| History | |
| England |
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| Name | Phoenix |
| Acquired | May 1660 |
| Fate | Wrecked at Gibraltar on 3 December 1664 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 38-gun fourth rate |
| Tons burthen | 414⁄72 bm |
| Length | 96 ft 0 in (29.3 m) keel for tonnage |
| Beam | 28 ft 6 in (8.7 m) |
| Depth of hold | 14 ft 3 in (4.3 m) |
| Sail plan | ship-rigged |
| Complement |
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| Armament |
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The Phoenix was a powerful warship from the Kingdom of England. She was known as a "fourth-rate" ship. This meant she was a medium-sized warship with a good number of guns. She first joined the navy during the English Civil War. This was a big conflict in England between Parliament and the King.
During the Anglo-Dutch Wars, the Phoenix was captured by the Dutch navy. This happened during the Battle of Montecristo. But the English quickly got her back! They launched a surprise boat attack at Leghorn and recaptured her. After this, she joined another important battle, the Battle of Scheveningen. The Phoenix spent many years in the Mediterranean Sea. Sadly, she was wrecked in a storm in December 1664.
The Phoenix was the third ship to have this name in the English navy. The first Phoenix was bought in 1545.
Contents
Building the Phoenix
The Phoenix was built at Woolwich Dockyard. This was a famous shipbuilding place on the River Thames in England. Peter Pett II, a skilled shipbuilder, oversaw her construction. She was finished and launched into the water in 1647.
This ship was quite large for her time. She was about 29.4 meters (96 feet, 6 inches) long. Her width was about 8.6 meters (28 feet, 6 inches). The depth of her hold, which is the space inside the ship, was about 4.3 meters (14 feet, 3 inches).
How Many Guns and Sailors?
The Phoenix was built to carry many guns. When there was a war, she had 38 guns. In peacetime, she carried 32 guns. By 1664, she could carry even more, up to 40 guns in wartime.
The number of sailors on board changed over time. In 1652, she had 150 crew members. A year later, this number went up to 160. By 1660, the crew was smaller, with 130 people.
The Phoenix's Adventures at Sea
Serving During the English Civil War
The Phoenix began her service in the navy that supported Parliament. Her first commander was Captain Owen Cox. In 1648, she was part of a large fleet near the Downs. The next year, she sailed in the Irish Sea under Captain Thomas Harrison.
In 1650, Captain William Brandley took command. The Phoenix sailed with other English squadrons. She even joined Robert Blake's squadron, a very famous admiral. Later that year, Captain John Wadsworth became her commander. She served as Admiral Blake's flagship in the Irish Sea. She also patrolled near the Isle of Scilly and the Channel Islands.
Battles in the Mediterranean Sea
The Phoenix then sailed to the Mediterranean Sea with Badiley's Squadron. This is where she faced some tough challenges. On September 6, 1652, she was captured by a Dutch ship called Eendracht. This happened during the Battle of Montecristo off Elba.
But the English didn't give up! On November 26, 1652, they launched a daring boat attack. They managed to recapture the Phoenix at Leghorn. Captain Owen Cox took command again. She then fought in the Battle off Leghorn on March 4, 1653. Later that year, she joined the Battle of Scheveningen.
After these battles, Captain Nicholas Foster took over. The Phoenix spent the winter of 1653-1654 in the sound. From 1656 to 1658, Captain Thomas Whetstone commanded her. She was part of Admiral Blake's fleet again. She returned home for a short time in 1656. In 1658 and 1659, Captain Thomas Bunn was in charge. She sailed with Stoake's squadron in the Mediterranean.
Service After the King Returned
In May 1660, the King returned to power in England. The Phoenix continued her service. Captain Edward Nixon was her commander that year. On April 30, 1663, Captain Richard Utbar took command. Then, on September 16, 1664, Captain John Chicheley was in charge. She was still with Allin's squadron in the Mediterranean.
The End of the Phoenix
The Phoenix met her end on December 3, 1664. She was caught in a big storm in Gibraltar Bay. She was trying to sail through the Straits of Gibraltar when she was wrecked.
