HMS President (1650) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Commonwealth of England |
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| Name | President |
| Ordered | April 1649 |
| Builder | Deptford Dockyard |
| Launched | 9 April 1650 |
| Commissioned | 1650 |
| Honours and awards |
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 England |
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| Name | Bonaventure |
| Acquired | May 1660 |
| Renamed | Bonaventure in 1660 |
| Honours and awards |
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 Great Britain |
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| Name | Bonaventure |
| Acquired | 1707 Act of Union |
| Fate | Broken at Chatham to build a new ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 34-gun Fourth-Rate |
| Tons burthen | 462+84⁄94 bm |
| Length |
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| Beam | 29 ft 6 in (9.0 m) |
| Depth of hold | 14 ft 6 in (4.4 m) |
| Sail plan | ship-rigged |
| Complement | 180 men in 1653 |
| Armament |
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| General characteristics after 1663 rebuild | |
| Class and type | 48-gun fourth-rate ship |
| Tons burthen | 514 tons bm |
| Length |
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| Beam | 30 ft 8 in (9.3 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft 4 in (3.8 m) |
| Sail plan | ship-rigged |
| Complement | 180 men in 1666 |
| Armament |
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| General characteristics after 1699 rebuild | |
| Class and type | 50-gun fourth-rate ship |
| Tons burthen | 596+24⁄94tons bm |
| Length |
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| Beam | 33 ft 1 in (10.1 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft 5 in (3.8 m) |
| Sail plan | ship-rigged |
| Complement | 180 men in 1666 |
| Armament |
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The HMS President was a powerful warship built for the English Navy. It was launched in 1650 and was originally known as a 34-gun fourth-rate ship. This means it was a medium-sized warship with a good number of cannons.
The ship was built by Peter Pett I at Deptford Dockyard. It played a big role in many important sea battles. In 1660, its name was changed to Bonaventure. It continued to serve for many years, even after being rebuilt several times to make it stronger and more modern.
Contents
Building a Mighty Ship
The President was ordered in April 1649. It was built at Deptford Dockyard by a famous shipbuilder named Peter Pett I. The ship was launched on April 9, 1650, ready for action.
When it was first built, the President was about 124 feet 0 inches (37.8 metres) long on its main gun deck. It was about 29 feet 6 inches (9.0 metres) wide. The ship weighed around 462 tons. It was armed with 38 guns, which changed over time to as many as 48 guns during its long career.
Early Adventures: Serving the Commonwealth
The President began its service in 1650 under Captain Anthony Young. It was part of the Commonwealth Navy.
Battles at Sea: First Anglo-Dutch War
The ship quickly saw action in the First Anglo-Dutch War. This was a series of naval battles between England and the Dutch Republic.
- In May 1652, the President was involved in a fight with the Dutch near the Start. This led to the famous Battle of Dover.
- Later that year, on September 28, 1652, it fought in the Battle of Kentish Knock.
- In 1653, under Captain Thomas Graves, the President joined Robert Blake's fleet of 84 ships at the Battle of Portland. This battle, from February 18-20, helped England control the English Channel.
- The ship also fought in the Battle of the Gabbard in June 1653 and the Battle of Scheveningen in July 1653. These were big victories for the English.
After these intense battles, the President spent the winter of 1653-1654 helping to protect coal ships along the east coast.
In 1660, after the monarchy was restored in England, the ship was renamed Bonaventure. It then became part of the Royal Navy.
Major Rebuilds: Making the Ship Stronger
Warships in those days were often rebuilt to keep them strong and up-to-date. The Bonaventure went through several major rebuilds:
- Chatham Rebuild (1663): The ship was rebuilt at Chatham Dockyard. It was made a bit larger, becoming about 124 feet 10 inches (38.0 metres) long and 30 feet 8 inches (9.3 metres) wide. Its weight increased to 514 tons. It was armed with 48 guns for wartime, including different types of cannons like culverins and demi-culverins.
- Portsmouth Rebuild (1683): Another rebuild happened at Portsmouth. The ship's size and gun count were adjusted again. It was now around 102 feet 6 inches (31.2 metres) long (keel) and 32 feet 2 inches (9.8 metres) wide. It could carry up to 52 guns.
- Woolwich Rebuild (1699): The final major rebuild took place at Woolwich. The ship became even larger, about 125 feet 5 inches (38.2 metres) long and 33 feet 1 inch (10.1 metres) wide, weighing around 596 tons. It was designed to carry 50 guns.
More Sea Fights: Second and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars
After its first rebuild, the Bonaventure continued its active service:
- Second Anglo-Dutch War: It fought in the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665 and the Four Days' Battle in 1666. It also took part in the St James Day Battle.
- In 1667, the ship sailed to the West Indies and participated in the Battle of Martinique.
- Third Anglo-Dutch War: The Bonaventure was involved in the Battle of Solebay in 1672, and both Battle of Schooneveld and Battle of Texel in 1673.
After its 1683 rebuild, the Bonaventure continued to protect English interests:
- It helped with the evacuation of Tangiers and operations in Londonderry.
- It fought in the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690 and the Battle of Barfleur in 1692.
- In 1696, it sailed to Hudson Bay to recapture Fort York.
Final Years and Legacy
After its last rebuild in 1699, the Bonaventure continued to serve. It sailed to Guinea, joined squadrons in the North Sea, and patrolled Scottish waters.
In 1711, the ship was taken to Chatham Dockyard. Instead of another rebuild, it was decided to break up the old ship to build a brand new one. This marked the end of the long and eventful life of the President / Bonaventure, a ship that served England through many important historical changes and battles.
