HMS Greyhound (1720) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Greyhound |
| Ordered | 4 July 1719 |
| Builder | Royal Dockyard, Deptford |
| Cost | £3,041.11.3d plus £480.0.83/4 for fitting |
| Launched | 13 February 1720 |
| Completed | 25 February 1720 |
| Commissioned | 1720 |
| Fate | Broken at Deptford in June 1741 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | 20-gun Sixth Rate |
| Tons burthen | 371+18⁄94 bm |
| Length |
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| Beam | 28 ft 5.5 in (8.7 m) for tonnage |
| Depth of hold | 9 ft 2 in (2.8 m) |
| Armament | 20 x 6-pdr 19 cwt guns on wooden trucks (UD) |
HMS Greyhound was a British warship from the 1700s. She was a "Sixth Rate" ship, which means she was a smaller warship but still carried 20 guns. Her main job was to protect trade routes and patrol different parts of the world. She sailed in places like North America, the West Indies, and the Mediterranean Sea. The Greyhound was eventually taken apart in 1741.
The name Greyhound has been used for many British ships. This particular Greyhound was the ninth ship to carry the name. The first Greyhound was a 45-gun ship launched way back in 1545!
Contents
Building the Greyhound
The order to build HMS Greyhound was given on July 4, 1719. She was built at the Deptford Dockyard in England. This dockyard was a very important place for building ships for the Royal Navy.
Richard Stacey, a skilled shipbuilder, oversaw her construction. The ship was officially launched into the water on February 13, 1720. She was fully ready for sea by February 25, 1720. Building and fitting her cost about £3,477.
Life at Sea: Greyhound's Journeys
HMS Greyhound began her active service in 1720. Her first captain was John Waldron. She was first sent to the Baltic Sea.
Early Adventures in North America
In March 1721, Greyhound was prepared for duty in New York. While near Cuba on April 19, 1721, she had a difficult encounter with Spanish forces. During this event, Captain Waldron was sadly killed. However, the British quickly regained control of the ship later that same day.
Captain John Condett then took command of the Greyhound in New York. By July 1722, Captain Peter Solgard was her new commander.
Back Home and New Missions
After her time in North America, Greyhound returned to England. In 1725, she was prepared for service in Scotland, but her plans changed. She was instead sent to Newfoundland, a large island off the coast of Canada.
From 1726 to 1727, she joined a fleet of ships in the West Indies. This area was important for trade. Later, in December 1727, Captain John Gascoigne took command, followed by Captain Edward Baker in March 1728. She was then ordered back home.
Repairs and Mediterranean Patrols
Greyhound underwent significant repairs at Deptford between February and April 1729. These repairs cost a lot of money, about £3,452. After repairs, she was recommissioned under Captain Sir Yelverton Peyton. She then served in Virginia, a colony in North America.
From August 1732 to January 1733, she had more repairs. In 1733, Captain James Cornwall took over. He sailed her to the Barbary Coast, which is in North Africa. This was to protect British ships from pirates.
In 1734, Captain John Ambrose commanded her for channel service. She moved to Tagus in Portugal in 1735, and then to the Mediterranean Sea in 1736. Her job there was to protect British trade ships.
In April 1740, Captain Edward Peyton became her captain. Later that year, Lieutenant Richard Watkins took command to sail her back to England.
The End of Her Journey
HMS Greyhound was inspected at Deptford on November 27, 1740. It was decided that she would be taken apart. This process, called "breaking," was completed in June 1741.
