Falkland (50)
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Origin and History
This ship was in fact the third rebuild of a ship originally acquired in 1696 which was indeed the first British warship by in New England. The third rebuild was done in Bursledon by Philemon Ewer and the ship was launched on April 17 1744.
During the War of the Austrian Succession, in November 1744, the ship cruised the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey in search of the lost HMS Victory, finding some of her remnants. On March 16 1745, the ship captured the French privateer Conquérant (14) and brought her back to Kinsale. On April 3, she took the French privateer Champfleur. In 1746, the ship cruised the Bay of Biscay. On February 22 1747, the ship captured the French privateer Tigre in the Channel. On May 3, she took part in the first battle of Cape Finisterre, capturing the East Indiaman Philibert. Finally, on December 17 of the same year, she captured the Spanish privateer Gran San Juan.
During the Seven Years' War, the frigate was under the command of:
- since October 1755 until 1762: Captain Francis William Drake
The ship was transferred to the Victualling Department at Chatham on August 10 1768.
Service during the War
From March 1756 to January 1757, the ship was refitted.
On June 30 1757, the ship sailed for America with a regiment of Highlanders.
In 1758, the ship operated in the Leeward Islands.
On February 15 1759, the ship was sent to join the ships arriving from the East Indies. On November 20, the ship was present at the decisive battle of Quiberon who eliminated any serious threat from the French navy for the rest of the war.
On March 7 1760, the ship sailed for North America.
In June 1761, the ship sailed for the Leeward Islands.
From January to March 1762, the ship took part to the expedition against Martinique.
Characteristics
| Guns | 50
| ||||||||
| Crew | 300 to 350 men | ||||||||
| Length at gundeck | 140 ft (42.7 m) | ||||||||
| Width | 40 ft (12.2 m) | ||||||||
| Depth | 17 ft 3 in (5.2 m) | ||||||||
| Displacement | 974 tons BM (989.6 tonnes) |
References
Blasco, Manuel, British 6th Rates, 3 Decks Wiki
Harrison, Simon; Three Decks - Warships in the Age of Sail
Phillips, M., Michael Phillip's Ships of the Old Navy
N.B.: the section Service during the War is partly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
