HMS Thunderer (1760) facts for kids
Model of a 74-gun ship, 3rd rate, circa 1760. Thought to be either HMS Hercules or HMS Thunderer from 1760.
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Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} Great Britain |
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| Name | Thunderer |
| Ordered | 15 July 1756 |
| Builder | Woolwich Dockyard |
| Launched | 19 March 1760 |
| Fate | Wrecked, 1780 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Hercules-class ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 160933⁄94 (bm) |
| Length | 166 ft 6 in (50.75 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 46 ft 6 in (14.17 m) |
| Depth of hold | 19 ft 9 in (6.02 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMS Thunderer was a powerful warship from the 1700s. She was a "ship of the line," meaning she was big enough to fight in the main battle line of a navy. She had 74 cannons, which made her a very strong vessel for her time.
About HMS Thunderer
The Royal Navy launched HMS Thunderer on March 19, 1760. She was built at Woolwich, a famous dockyard in England. Her job was to protect Great Britain's interests at sea.
A Ship of War
Thunderer was a "third-rate" ship. This classification was based on the number of guns she carried. With 74 guns, she was a significant warship.
Her cannons were placed on different decks. The lower deck had the largest guns, firing 32-pound cannonballs. The upper decks had smaller, but still powerful, guns.
Battle and Service
In 1761, during the Seven Years' War, HMS Thunderer fought a French ship called Achille. This was a "single-ship action," meaning it was a battle between just two ships. Thunderer won this fight, earning a special "battle honour" for her bravery.
Lost at Sea
Sadly, HMS Thunderer was lost in 1780. She was sailing in the West Indies when a massive storm hit. This storm was known as the Great Hurricane of 1780.
The ship was reportedly lost about 90 miles east of Jamaica. All 617 people on board were lost. This included her captain, Robert Boyle-Walsingham, and Nathaniel Cook, who was the son of the famous explorer Captain James Cook.
Cannons Today
Today, you can see two cannons that are believed to be from HMS Thunderer. They are displayed at a rum cake factory on Grand Cayman Island. A special plaque says that these cannons were found in 1984 by a research ship called Beacon.
