HMS Yarmouth (1745)
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom
| |
| Name: | HMS Yarmouth |
| Ordered: | 16 June 1742 |
| Builder: | Deptford Dockyard |
| Laid down: | 25 November 1742 |
| Launched: | 8 March 1745 |
| Commissioned: | February 1745 |
| Fate: | Broken up, April 1811 |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Class & type: | 1741 proposals 64-gun third rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen: | 1,359 long tons (1,380.8 t) |
| Length: | 160 ft (48.8 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam: | 44 ft 3 in (13.5 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 19 ft (5.8 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Full rigged ship |
| Armament: |
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HMS Yarmouth was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Deptford Dockyard. She was previously ordered to the dimensions specified in the 1741 proposals for modifications to the 1719 Establishment, but the Admiralty had very quickly concluded that these were too small, and as an experiment in 1742 authorised an addition of 6ft to the planned length, and the Yarmouth was re-ordered to the enlarged design in June 1742. She was built at Deptford, where the Admiralty felt they could best observe the effectiveness of the added size, and launched on 8 March 1745.[1]
Commissioned in February 1745 under Captain Roger Martin. In 1747 under Captain Piercy Brett she was one of George Anson's squadron at the First Battle of Cape Finisterre. In 1781, Yarmouth was reduced in armament to become a 60-gun ship. She remained in this role until 1811, when she was broken up.[1]
Destroying USS Randolph
On 7 March 1778 Yarmouth was attacked by the American frigate Randolph with half the guns and likely less than a quarter the firepower. The frigate managed to cause some minor damage to two of Yarmouth's topmasts and a portion of her bowsprit, then attempted to rake (fire through the length of) the ship; Randolph was firing 3 broadsides to Yarmouth's one, however the 12 lb shot would have struggled to penetrate Yarmouth's scantlings (armor), while Yarmouth's likely armaments of 12 lb 24 lb and 32 lb guns would have been able to penetrate any part of her comparatively lightly armored opponent. Randolph exploded during the engagement, likely due to a shot penetrating her magazine, killing all but four of her crew. Part of her wreckage landed on Yarmouth's decks, including Randolph's ensign. Yarmouth had to repair two damaged topmasts but suffered no significant damage and no fatalities or serious injuries.
Notes
References
- Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line – Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650–1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.
- Winfield, Rif (2007) British Warships in the Age of Sail: 1714–1792. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84415-700-6.
- http://www.jfjcccmuseum.com/tjoschultz/randolph.html
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