HMS Hampshire (1698) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Hampshire
Ordered	1695
Builder	Taylor, Nelson Dock, Rotherhithe
Launched	3 March 1698
Fate	Broken up, 1739
General characteristics
Class and type	50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	690
Length	132 ft (40.2 m) (gundeck)
Beam	34 ft 3 in (10.4 m)
Depth of hold	13 ft 8 in (4.2 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	50 guns of various weights of shot

HMS Hampshire was a powerful warship from a long time ago. It was part of the Royal Navy, which is the navy of Great Britain. This ship was known as a "50-gun fourth rate ship of the line".

Meet HMS Hampshire

HMS Hampshire was a special kind of warship. It was built to fight in naval battles. The letters "HMS" stand for "His Majesty's Ship". This means it belonged to the King of Great Britain.

What Kind of Ship Was It?

The term "ship of the line" meant it was big enough to be in the main battle line during a sea fight. These ships would line up and fire their cannons at enemy ships.

• Fourth Rate: This described its size and how many guns it carried. A "fourth rate" ship usually had between 40 and 60 cannons.
• 50-gun: This tells us exactly how many cannons HMS Hampshire had. Fifty guns made it a strong ship for its time.

Building a Warship

HMS Hampshire was ordered in 1695. It was built at a place called Nelson Dock in Rotherhithe, which is in London, England. Building a ship like this took a lot of skill and time.

The ship was officially launched on 3 March 1698. This was a big event, as it meant the ship was ready to float in the water for the first time.

The Ship's Journey

After its launch, HMS Hampshire served the Royal Navy for many years. It was an important part of Britain's sea power. Ships like Hampshire helped protect trade routes and defend the country.

Eventually, after a long career, HMS Hampshire was "broken up" in 1739. This means it was taken apart, usually because it was old or no longer needed.