HMS Henry (1656) facts for kids
HMS Henry at the Four Days' Battle in 1666
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Commonwealth of England |
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| Name | Dunbar |
| Builder | Callis, Deptford |
| Launched | 1656 |
| Renamed | HMS Henry, 1660 |
| History | |
 England |
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| Name | HMS Henry |
| Fate | Accidentally burnt, 1682 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 64-gun second rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 1,082 long tons (1,099.4 t) |
| Length | 124 ft (37.8 m) (keel) |
| Beam | 40 ft 6 in (12.3 m) |
| Depth of hold | 17 ft (5.2 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament | 64 guns (1660); 82 guns (1677) |
The Dunbar was a powerful warship built in 1656 for the English navy. It was a "second-rate" ship of the line, meaning it was a large warship with many guns. In 1660, after the king returned to power, its name was changed to HMS Henry. This ship served the Royal Navy until 1682, when it was sadly destroyed in an accidental fire.
Contents
Ship Design and Power
The Dunbar, later HMS Henry, was a very large sailing ship. It was 124 ft (37.8 m) long, which is about the length of four school buses! It was also 40 ft 6 in (12.3 m) wide.
This ship was a "full-rigged ship," meaning it had three masts with square sails. When it was first built, it carried 64 guns. These cannons were its main weapon in sea battles. By 1677, the ship was made even stronger, carrying 82 guns.
Life at Sea: HMS Henry's Service
The Dunbar was built by a shipbuilder named Callis in Deptford, England, in 1656. At that time, England was a "Commonwealth," meaning it was ruled by Parliament, not a king.
A New Name and Royal Duties
In 1660, the king returned to rule England. This event is called the Stuart Restoration. Because of this, the ship's name was changed from Dunbar to HMS Henry.
In 1661 and 1662, HMS Henry became a very important ship. It was the flagship for Admiral John Mennes. A flagship is where the admiral commands the fleet. The ship helped transport the first English troops to Tangier, a city in North Africa. It also brought back Catherine of Braganza, who became the new Queen of England.
Battles and Challenges
HMS Henry saw a lot of action in its time. In June 1666, it was badly damaged during a huge naval fight called the Four Days' Battle. This was one of the longest sea battles in history.
The next year, in June 1667, the ship faced another challenge. During a surprise attack by the Dutch navy known as the Raid on the Medway, HMS Henry was pushed ashore near Rochester Bridge in Kent.
Sadly, in 1682, after many years of service, HMS Henry was accidentally destroyed by fire.
