English ship Fairfax (1650)

For the 1653 ship of the same name, see English ship Fairfax (1653).

History
Commonwealth Navy EnsignEngland
NameFairfax
NamesakeThomas Fairfax
BuilderPeter Pett, Deptford
Launched1650
FateAccidentally burnt, 1653
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeSpeaker-class frigate
Tons burthen7458⁄94 (bm)
Length116 ft (35.4 m) (keel)
Beam34 ft 9 in (10.6 m)
Draught17 ft 6 in (5.33 m)
Depth of hold14 ft 4 in (4.4 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement
  • 260 from 1605 to 1652
  • 300 in 1653
Armament52 guns of various weights of shot

Fairfax was a 52-gun third-rate Speaker-class frigate of the Commonwealth of England, built by Peter Pett at Deptford Dockyard and in service from 1650 to 1653.[1]

Fairfax was commissioned in 1650 under Captain William Penn, then serving as Commonwealth's Vice Admiral for the Irish coast. In mid-1650 she saw action against French ships in the English Channel. Later that year her command was transferred to Captain John Lawson.[2]

In 1651, Captain Penn was assigned to the role of Admiral in the Mediterranean, and chose Fairfax as his flagship. After an uneventful year of service, command was again transferred to Captain Lawson, under whose direction Fairfax participated in the Battle of Dover, and the Battle of Portland in the following year.[2]

On 18 February 1653, Fairfax was accidentally set alight and burned beyond repair at Chatham Dockyard.[2]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Lavery, Ships of the Line Vol. 1, p. 159.
  2. ^ a b c Winfield 2009, p. 45

References

  • Lavery, Brian (2003). The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0851772528.
  • Winfield, Rif (2009). British Warships in the Age of Sail, 1603-1714: Design, Construction, Careers & Fates. Seaforth. ISBN 9781848320406.


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