HMS Coronation (1685) facts for kids
Coronation
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 England |
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| Name | Coronation |
| Ordered | 1678 |
| Builder | Isaac Betts, Portsmouth Dockyard |
| Launched | 23 May 1685 |
| Commissioned | 14 February 1690 |
| Fate | Wrecked, 3 September 1691 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 90-gun second-rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 1,345 (bm) |
| Length | 160 ft 4 in (48.9 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 44 ft 9 in (13.6 m) |
| Depth of hold | 18 ft 2 in (5.5 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament | 90 guns of various weights of shot |
Coronation was a large warship from the English Royal Navy. It was a 90-gun ship of the line, meaning it carried 90 cannons and was built for battles at sea. The ship was part of a special plan in 1677 to build 30 big warships. Coronation was built at Portsmouth Dockyard and launched in 1685. Sadly, it was lost in a terrible storm off Rame Head, Cornwall, on September 3, 1691. Today, the wreck is a protected site managed by Historic England.
Contents
Coronation's Time at Sea
Coronation officially joined the navy on February 14, 1690. Its first captain was John Munden. The ship served as the main ship for Vice-Admiral Sir Ralph Delavall.
The Battle of Beachy Head
On June 30, 1690, Coronation took part in the Battle of Beachy Head. This was a big fight against the French navy. The French won this battle, which gave them control of the English Channel for a short time. After this battle, Captain Charles Skelton took command of Coronation on October 29, 1690.
The Ship's Final Voyage
On September 3, 1691, Coronation was sailing with the English fleet. They were heading towards Plymouth. A strong storm hit the area. It was a south-east gale, and the ship tried to anchor near Rame Head.
How the Ship Sank
It is believed that Coronation's anchors could not hold in the storm. The ship was pushed onto the rocks in Lady Cove, near Penlee Point. About 600 people on board drowned, including Captain Skelton. Only around 20 people survived the shipwreck.
Discovering the Wreck
Parts of the Coronation wreck were found close to the shore in 1967. Later, in 1977, a second part of the wreck was discovered further out at sea. The area where the ship sank has very strong tides, especially during spring tides.
The Protected Wreck Site
The main wreck site stretches for over 1,300 meters from Penlee Point. Many items from the ship are spread out over a large area. Because it is a protected wreck, you need a special permit to dive and explore the site.
Images for kids
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The foundering of Coronation, painted by Ludolf Bakhuizen
