HMS Constant Warwick (1645) facts for kids
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|} The Constant Warwick was a famous warship built in 1645. It started as a "privateer," which means it was a private ship hired to attack enemy ships during wartime. It was owned by the Earl of Warwick and Sir William Batten.
During the First English Civil War, the Constant Warwick was hired by the Parliamentarian navy. These were the forces supporting the Parliament against King Charles I. However, in 1648, during the Second English Civil War, its captain switched sides to support the Royalists, who were loyal to the King. After its crew rebelled in November 1648, the ship returned to England. Parliament then bought it on January 20, 1649.
The Constant Warwick was known for being an "incomparable sailer," meaning it was incredibly fast. Its sleek design and fine shape made it special. Many people believe it was the very first true frigate in the Royal Navy. Frigates were new types of warships that were faster and more agile than older, larger ships. The Constant Warwick was mostly used for patrolling the seas. Sadly, a French squadron captured it in 1691.
The Constant Warwick was the only ship in the Royal Navy to ever have this name.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Commonwealth of England |
|
| Name | Constant Warwick |
| Builder | Peter Pett I, Ratcliff |
| Launched | 1645 |
| Acquired | 20 January 1649 |
| Commissioned | 1650 |
| Honours and awards |
|
 Kingdom of England |
|
| Name | Constant Warwick |
| Acquired | May 1660 |
| Honours and awards |
|
| Captured | 12 July 1691 |
| Fate | Captured by the French |
| General characteristics as built | |
| Class and type | 32-gun fourth-rate |
| Length | 85 ft 0 in (25.91 m) (keel) |
| Beam | 26 ft 5 in (8.05 m) |
| Depth of hold | 13 ft 2 in (4.01 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | ship-rigged |
| Complement |
|
| Armament |
|
| General characteristics by 1660 | |
| Class and type | 32-gun fourth-rate |
| Tons burthen | 341.25 tons |
| Length | 88 ft (27 m) (keel) |
| Beam | 27 ft 0 in (8.23 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | ship-rigged |
| Armament | 34 guns |
| General characteristics after 1666 rebuild | |
| Class and type | 42-gun fourth-rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 379.8 tons |
| Length | 90 ft (27 m) (keel) |
| Beam | 28 ft 2 in (8.59 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament | 42 guns - comprising 20 demi-culverins, 18 sakers (6-pounder guns) and 4 light sakers (5-pounder guns) |
Building a Fast Warship
The Constant Warwick was built by Peter Pett I in Ratcliffe and launched in 1645. It was designed to be quick and agile. When first built, it was about 85 feet (25.9 metres) long and 26 feet 5 inches (8.1 metres) wide. Its hold, the space below deck, was about 13 feet 2 inches (4.0 metres) deep.
Later, the ship was measured again. Its length was recorded as 88 feet (26.8 metres) and its width as 27 feet 0 inches (8.2 metres). The hold depth was then 12 feet 0 inches (3.7 metres). These changes show how ships were sometimes re-measured or slightly altered.
The ship was armed with 32 guns in 1653 and 1666. These included different types of cannons: twelve culverins on the lower deck, twelve demi-culverins on the upper deck, and ten sakers on the quarterdeck. These were all powerful guns for their time. The total cost to build this impressive ship was about £1,982.
What Made it Special?
The Constant Warwick was a groundbreaking ship. Famous diarist Samuel Pepys, who worked for the navy, said it was "the first frigate built in England." He noted that the builder, Peter Pett, got the idea for its design from a French frigate he had seen. This shows how new ideas in shipbuilding could spread and improve navies.
Another researcher, William M. James, described the Constant Warwick as being around 380 to 400 tons. It carried 26 guns, including light demi-culverins (which were like short 9-pounder guns) and light sakers (short 6-pounder guns). James highlighted its "well formed" lower body and "lightly but handsomely ornamented" upper parts. It was rigged with sails in the most modern way of its time.
The Constant Warwick was first listed as a national ship in 1652. At that time, it was sometimes called a "fifth-rate" ship with 28 guns, or sometimes 32 guns. This difference might mean that the number of guns could change depending on its mission. Later, it was even listed as a "fourth-rate" ship with 42 guns, showing how its firepower could be increased.
Life at Sea: Early Service
The Constant Warwick began its official service in 1645 under Captain John Gilson. In April 1647, it sided with the Royalists, but by November, it had switched back to the Parliamentary Navy. In 1649, under Captain Robert Moulton Jr., it captured a Royalist ship called the Charles. This captured ship was then added to the Parliament Navy and renamed the Guinea.
After this capture, the Constant Warwick helped blockade Kinsale, a port in Ireland. In 1650, it joined Robert Blake's fleet to blockade Lisbon, Portugal. By 1651, it was back in English waters, serving in the Irish Sea under Captain Owen Cox.
Fighting in the First Anglo-Dutch War
Captain Cox and the Constant Warwick were part of Badiley's Squadron and fought in the Battle of Montecristo on August 28, 1652. In 1653, under Captain Upshott, the ship was part of Appleton's Squadron at the Battle of Livorno on March 4, 1653. Later that year, Captain Richard Potter took command, and the ship served in English waters until 1656, even patrolling off the Dutch coast during the winter of 1653-1654. In 1657, Captain Robert Vessey took command.
After the King Returned (May 1660)
After the monarchy was restored in England in May 1660, Captain Vessey was still in command of the Constant Warwick at Plymouth. In 1661, Captain Robert Kirby took over. The ship sailed to Tangier in 1662. It returned to Portsmouth in 1663 and was put into storage until 1666, when it was decided to rebuild it.
A Major Rebuild
Rebuild at Portsmouth (1664-1666)
The Constant Warwick was ordered to be rebuilt in April 1664 at Portsmouth Dockyard. John Tippets, a master shipbuilder, oversaw the work. The rebuild started in early 1666, and the ship was relaunched on April 21, 1666.
After the rebuild, the ship was even larger and stronger. Its keel was about 90 feet (27.4 metres) long, its width was 28 feet 2 inches (8.6 metres), and its hold depth was 12 feet 0 inches (3.7 metres). It was now about 379 tons.
Its gun setup also changed. In 1666, it still had 32 guns. But by 1677, it was armed with 42 guns for wartime and 36 for peacetime. These included twenty demi-culverins on the lower deck, eighteen sakers on the upper deck, and four sakers on the quarterdeck. By 1685, the guns were updated again to include different types of cannons, like 6-pounder and 3-pounder guns.
Service After the Rebuild
The Constant Warwick was ready for action again on June 21, 1666, under Captain Robert Ensome. In February 1667, it fought a Dutch privateer near Lisbon, Portugal. Sadly, Captain Ensome was badly wounded and died on February 24.
After that, Captain Arthur Herbert took command in April 1667. In 1669, Captain John Waterworth sailed the ship to the Mediterranean Sea with Sir Thomas Allin's Squadron.
The Third Anglo-Dutch War
When the Third Anglo-Dutch War began, Captain Thomas Hamilton took command in April 1672. The Constant Warwick fought in both Battles of Schooneveld in May and June 1672. Later, Captain Joseph Harris commanded the ship at the Battle of Texel in August 1673.
After the war ended, the ship sailed on an expedition to Cadiz and then to Guinea in 1674. Over the next few years, it had several different captains and served in various places, including the English Channel, Newfoundland, and the Mediterranean. In 1688, it sailed with Dartmouth's Fleet.
In 1689, Captain George Byng commanded the ship. In 1690, under Captain John Beverley, the Constant Warwick fought in the Battle of Beachy Head. In 1691, it was made a smaller "Fifth Rate" vessel. It was recommissioned under Captain James Moodie and sailed with a convoy to the West Indies.
Captured by the French
The long and active career of the Constant Warwick came to an end on July 12, 1691. While off the coast of Portugal, it was captured by a French squadron.
Images for kids
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The Constant Warwick at the Battle of Elba in 1652. This battle was between the Dutch fleet and the English fleet.
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The Constant Warwick on the River Thames in 1681, with King Charles II of England on board.
