Chesterfield (44)
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Origin and History
The ship was a fifth rate frigate built at Rotherhithe and launched on October 31 1745.
During the War of the Austrian Succession, the frigate served on the coast of Africa in 1747 and 1748.
During the Seven Years' War, the frigate was under the command of:
- 1756: captain John Lloyd
- from December 26 1758: captain Herbert Sawyer
- from February 22 1759: captain John Scaife
On July 24 1762, the frigate foundered near Cayo Comsite at the entrance to the Old Strait of Bahama on the Cuba side.
Service during the War
In 1756, the frigate was part of a small squadron stationed at Minorca. When a French amphibious force invaded Minorca, this squadron managed to escape the French fleet on April 23, leaving the harbour after bringing in about ten captured French merchant vessels. It arrived at Gibraltar on May 2. The frigate then joined admiral Byng's squadron which sailed from Gibraltar on May 8 to relieve Fort St. Philip besieged by the French. On May 19, the squadron came into sight of Fort St. Philip. Byng despatched this frigate with two others to reconnoitre the mouth of the harbour but the French fleet then advanced to meet Byng, forcing him to recall his frigates. On May 20, the frigate took part to the battle of Minorca where she was ordered to lay by the Intrepid which had lost her fore-topmast. Several British ships were seriously damaged during the battle but none was lost on either side. During the night, the frigate parted from the fleet to escort the Intrepid. On May 22, she joined back Byng's squadron. On May 24, after a council of war, Byng finally gave orders to return to Gibraltar, abandoning Minorca to its fate.
To do: campaigns from 1757 to 1762
Characteristics
| Guns | 44
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| Crew | ??? | ||||
| Length | ??? | ||||
| Width | ??? | ||||
| Depth | ??? | ||||
| Displacement | ??? |
References
Anonymous, A Complete History of the Present War, from its Commencement in 1756, to the End of the Campaign, 1760, London, 1761
Castex, Jean-Claude, Dictionnaire des batailles terrestres franco-anglaises de la Guerre de Sept Ans, Presse de l'université Laval, Québec: 2006, pp. 438-443
Clowes, Wm. Laird, The Royal Navy – A History from the Earliest Time to the Present, Vol. III, Sampson Low, Marston and Company, London: 1898, pp. 146-160
Fortescue J. W., A History of the British Army, Vol. II, MacMillan, London, 1899, pp. 291-295
Pajol, Charles P. V., Les Guerres sous Louis XV, vol. VI, Paris, 1891, pp. 3-19
Phillips, M., Michael Phillip's Ships of the Old Navy
- "Battle of Minorca"
