HMS Woolwich (1675) facts for kids
_-_HMS_%27Woolwich%27_before_a_Light_Breeze_-_BHC3732_-_Royal_Museums_Greenwich.jpg)
HMS Woolwich, around 1677. This is an oil painting by Willem van de Velde the Elder.
|
|
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
.svg){kind=small} Great Britain |
|
| Name | HMS Woolwich |
| Builder | Phineas Pett III, Woolwich Dockyard |
| Launched | 1675 |
| General characteristics as built | |
| Class and type | 54-gun fourth rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 761 tons |
| Length | 112 ft (34 m) (keel) |
| Beam | 35 ft 9 in (10.90 m) |
| Depth of hold | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament | 54 guns of various weights of shot |
| General characteristics after 1702 rebuild | |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| General characteristics after 1741 rebuild | |
| Class and type | 1733 proposals 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 866 tons |
| Length | 134 ft (41 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 38 ft 6 in (11.73 m) |
| Depth of hold | 15 ft 9 in (4.80 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
|
HMS Woolwich was a powerful warship of the Royal Navy. She was a "ship of the line," which meant she was big enough to fight in the main battle line of a fleet. She carried 54 guns.
This ship was built by Phineas Pett III at the Woolwich Dockyard in England. She was launched in 1675, meaning she was put into the water for the first time that year.
Early Years and First Rebuild
When first built, HMS Woolwich was a "fourth-rate" ship. This was a way to classify warships based on their size and the number of guns they carried. She was designed to be a strong vessel for the British navy.
In 1702, the ship underwent a major rebuild. This was common for wooden ships back then. Rebuilding helped to keep them strong and up-to-date. It also allowed for improvements to their design.
A Notable Event in 1705
In 1705, Captain Thomas Ekines was in charge of HMS Woolwich. During this time, the ship was involved in an interesting event. Captain Ekines stopped a Dutch ship. He believed it was trading with countries that were enemies of Britain. This was during a conflict known as the War of the Spanish Succession.
Captain Ekines was allowed to take the ship. However, he also took a large part of its cargo for himself. This caused some difficulties for his career in the navy later on.
Second Rebuild and Final Years
On June 10, 1736, HMS Woolwich was sent to Deptford Dockyard. Here, she was taken apart to be rebuilt again. This time, she was rebuilt by a person named Richard Stacey.
The new design followed plans from 1733 for a 50-gun fourth-rate ship. She was relaunched on April 6, 1741. This rebuild made her a bit different from her original design. She now carried 50 guns instead of 54.
HMS Woolwich served the Royal Navy for many years. She was finally taken apart, or "broken up," in 1747. This happened at Chatham Dockyard.
