HMS Henry (1656)

HMS Henry at the Four Days' Battle in 1666
History
Royal Navy EnsignCommonwealth of England
NameDunbar
BuilderCallis, Deptford
Launched1656
RenamedHMS Henry, 1660
History
Royal Navy EnsignEngland
NameHMS Henry
FateAccidentally burnt, 1682
General characteristics
Class and type64-gun second rate ship of the line
Tons burthen1,082 long tons (1,099.4 t)
Length124 ft (37.8 m) (keel)
Beam40 ft 6 in (12.3 m)
Depth of hold17 ft (5.2 m)
PropulsionSails
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Armament64 guns (1660); 82 guns (1677)

Dunbar was a 64-gun second rate ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Deptford, and launched in 1656. Renamed HMS Henry in 1660, she served until 1682, when she was lost in an accidental fire.

Description

The full-rigged ship was 124 ft (37.8 m) long, with a beam of 40 ft 6 in (12.3 m) and a depth of 17 ft (5.2 m). Rated at 1,082 tons builder's old measurement, she was equipped with 64 guns. By 1677 her armament had been increased to 82 guns.[1]

Service

Dunbar was built by Callis at Deptford, Kent in 1656 for the Commonwealth Navy. After the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, she was renamed HMS Henry.

In 1661/1662 HMS Henry was the flagship of Admiral John Mennes taking the Earl of Peterborough and the first troops of the new Garrison to occupy English Tangier, returning to England accompanying the Earl of Sandwich and the new Queen Catherine of Braganza.[2] HMS Henry was severely damaged in the Four Days' Battle of 1–4 June 1666.[3] On 13 June 1667, during the Raid on the Medway, HMS Henry was driven ashore at Rochester Bridge, Kent.[4] She was accidentally burnt in 1682.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Lavery, Ships of the Line Vol. 1, p. 160.
  2. ^ Harris (1912) p. 208
  3. ^ Fox (2018) pp. 215-18
  4. ^ Coles Finch, 1929, p. 90

References

  • Coles Finch, William (1929). The Medway River and Valley. London: C. W. Daniel Ltd.
  • Fox, Frank L. (2008). The Four Days' Battle of 1666. Seaforth. ISBN 978-1-52673-727-4.
  • Harris, F R (1912). The life of Edward Montagu, KG. Vol. 2. London: John Murray.
  • 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.