HMS Greenwich (1777) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} British East India Company |
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| Name | Greenwich |
| Namesake | Greenwich |
| Owner |
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| Builder | John & William Wells, Deptford |
| Launched | 1766 |
| Fate | Sold to the Royal Navy 1777 |
 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Greenwich |
| Completed | 12 December 1777 at Deptford Dockyard |
| Acquired | September 1777 |
| Commissioned | September 1777 |
| Decommissioned | March 1783 |
| In service |
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| Fate | Sold at Deptford Dockyard, 10 April 1783 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 26-gun sixth-rate frigate |
| Tons burthen | 676, or 75348⁄94, or 754 bm |
| Length |
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| Beam | 34 ft 10 in (10.6 m), 35 ft 0 in (10.7 m) |
| Depth of hold | 13 ft 10 in (4.2 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement |
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| Armament |
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The ship HMS Greenwich started its life as a merchant ship named Greenwich. It was built in 1766. This ship made four long trips to India for the British East India Company. In 1777, the Royal Navy bought her. They wanted to use her as a frigate during the American Revolutionary War. Later, she became a storeship (carrying supplies) and a receiving ship (holding new sailors). She served in North America and near Sheerness, England, from 1777 to 1783. Finally, she was sold to private owners at Deptford Dockyard.
Contents
Voyages for the East India Company
Before becoming a navy ship, Greenwich was a merchant vessel. She sailed for the British East India Company. This company traded goods like spices and tea between Britain and India. Greenwich completed four important voyages.
First Trip to India (1767–1768)
Captain Benjamin Hooke was in charge of the first voyage. The ship left England on April 24, 1767. It was heading to Bombay, India. Along the way, it stopped at places like São Tiago and Madagascar. By December, it reached Bombay. On the way back, it stopped at Tellicherry and Cochin. The ship also visited St Helena before arriving back in England on November 19, 1768.
Second Trip to India (1770–1771)
Captain Robert Carr took over for the second journey. Greenwich left England on February 21, 1770. It reached Madagascar in June and Bombay in July. For the return trip, it stopped at Tellicherry, Cochin, and Anjengo. The ship then sailed to St Helena. It finally arrived back in England on May 28, 1771.
Third Trip to India (1771–1773)
Captain Carr led the third voyage too. This time, Greenwich left Portsmouth on December 31, 1771. Its destinations were Madras and Bengal in India. The ship made stops at Madeira and the Cape. It reached Madras in July 1772. On the way home, it stopped at Ingeli and the Cape again. After visiting St Helena and Ascension, the ship returned to England on June 21, 1773.
Fourth Trip to India (1776–1777)
The fourth and final East India Company voyage was also with Captain Carr. Greenwich departed Falmouth on January 7, 1776. It was bound for Madras and Bengal. The ship reached the Cape in April and Madras in June. It arrived at Culpee in July. On its journey back, it stopped at Ingeli, Madras, Mauritius, and Réunion. After a final stop at St Helena, the ship arrived back in England on July 23, 1777.
After its merchant voyages, the Royal Navy bought Greenwich. This happened in September 1777. The navy needed more ships during the American Revolutionary War.
Serving in North America (1777–1779)
The navy first used Greenwich as a storeship. This meant she carried important supplies. Her job was to deliver these supplies to British troops in Boston and New York. She sailed to North America on March 16, 1778. Greenwich stayed there, helping the troops, until the next year.
Becoming a Receiving Ship (1779–1783)
In March 1779, Greenwich returned to England for repairs. She went to Woolwich Dockyard. Then, she sailed to Sheerness Dockyard. Here, she was changed into a 22-gun receiving ship. A receiving ship was like a floating barracks. It held sailors who had been gathered by press gangs. These gangs would force men to join the navy. Commander William Daniel took command of her on March 16, 1779. She served as a depot, a place for storing things and people, at Sea Reach.
The End of Her Service
Greenwich finished her navy service in March 1783. She was then sent to Deptford Dockyard. On April 10, 1783, the ship was sold. She went back into private ownership for £400.
