HMS Swiftsure (1750) facts for kids

Swiftsure
Quick facts for kids History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Swiftsure
Ordered	31 August 1745
Builder	John Hollond, Deptford Dockyard
Laid down	26 January 1747
Launched	25 May 1750
Commissioned	27 July 1750
In service	1755–1763
Out of service	1763–1773
Fate	Sold, 2 June 1773
General characteristics
Class and type	1745 Establishment 70-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	142642⁄94(bm)
Length	160 ft (48.8 m) (gundeck) 131 ft 4 in (40.0 m) (keel)
Beam	45 ft 2 in (13.8 m)
Depth of hold	19 ft 4 in (5.9 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Complement	520
Armament	70 guns: Gundeck: 26 × 32 pdrs Upper gundeck: 28 × 18 pdrs Quarterdeck: 12 × 9 pdrs Forecastle: 4 × 9 pdrs

Battle of Cartagena, where Swiftsure was in action against Le Foudroyant

HMS Swiftsure was a 70-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1755 and in active service during the Seven Years' War. After a distinguished career at sea she was decommissioned in 1763 and sold into private hands ten years later.

Construction

Swiftsure was built at Deptford Dockyard to the specifications of the 1745 Establishment, and launched on 25 May 1750.

Naval service

Swiftsure was commissioned into the Royal Navy in August 1755, under Captain Augustus Keppel. In 1756 her command was transferred to Captain Matthew Buckle, and she was assigned first to the fleet under Admiral Henry Osborn, and then to that of Edward Boscawen. In company with HMS Monmouth she engaged and captured the French ship of the line Le Foudroyant in 1758, and towed her to join the fleet of Admiral Osborn at Cartagena.

In 1759 she was again with Admiral Boscawen at Lagos, and at Quiberon Bay later that year, and at the capture of Belle Île in 1761.

She was sold on 2 June 1773.