Conqueror (68)
Hierarchical Path: Seven Years War (Main Page) >> Navies >> British Navy >> Conqueror (68)
Origin and History
The ship was built by John Barnard at Harwich and launched on May 24 1758.
During the Seven Years' War, the ship was under the command of:
- in 1759: captain William Lloyd
The ship was wrecked on St. Nicholas island (actual Drake island) off Plymouth on October 26 1760.
Service during the War
In May 1759, the ship was part of Boscawen squadron who had taken position off Cap Sicié to blockade the harbour of Toulon where a French fleet was preparing to sail to join another squadron at Brest and then to escort an invasion force to Ireland. On June 8, Boscawen ordered the Culloden (74), Conqueror (68) and Jersey (60), under the orders of captain Smith Callis, to proceed, and, if possible, destroy 2 French frigates trapped into a fortified bay near Toulon. The ships were gallantly taken in. However, they were becalmed while under the batteries and, after a sharp engagement of 2 hours, they had to be recalled without having accomplished their object. The Conqueror (68), 2 killed and 4 wounded and all the vessels were badly damaged aloft. At the beginning of July 1759, Boscawen was compelled to go to Gibraltar for provisions and repairs. On August 4, Boscawen finally reached Gibraltar. On August 5 de la Clue set sail from Toulon to make a junction with de Conflans' fleet at Brest. On August 17, de la Clue's fleet (10 ships of the line, 2 50-gun ships and 3 frigates) passed the straits of Gibraltar where it was sighted by the Gibraltar (20). Alarmed, Boscawen set sail from Gibraltar to intercept de la Clue. On August 18, the ship took part to the victorious battle of Lagos. After the battle, the ship was part of vice-admiral Broderick's squadron who remained in the straits and blockaded Cadiz, in which still lay that part of the French squadron which had taken refuge there. On November 9, Broderick, who was blockading Cadiz, was driven from his station by a storm and was obliged to send his flagship to Gibraltar to refit. He then hoisted his flag on board the Conqueror (68). Returning off Cadiz, Broderick continued the blockade as before but the French, though by that time superior in strength, declined to come out and offer him battle. The vice-admiral being a second time driven from his station by a storm, the French at length ventured forth and got safely back to Toulon.
The ship was wrecked on St. Nicholas island (actual Drake island) off Plymouth on October 26 1760.
To do: more details on the campaign of 1760
Characteristics
| Guns | 68
| ||||||||
| Crew | not available | ||||||||
| Length at gundeck | 160 ft (49 m) | ||||||||
| Width | 45 ft (14 m) | ||||||||
| Depth | 19 ft 4 in (5.89 m) | ||||||||
| Displacement | 1432 tons (1455 tonnes) |
References
Blasco, Manuel, 3 Decks Wiki – British 3rd Rates
Phillips, M., Michael Phillip's Ships of the Old Navy
N.B.: the section Service during the War is derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
