Esping Nr. 4

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Hierarchical Path: Seven Years War (Main Page) >> Navies >> Prussian Navy >> Esping Nr. 4

Origin and History

By a Cabinet Order dated July 16 1757, Frederick II ordered the creation of a small flotilla in Stettin to protect the Pomeranian Coast against the Swedish Navy. The flotilla was made of rented transport and fish boats. On November 24, Prussian troops captured two Swedish gunboats at Dievenow. These gunboats were incorporated into the small Prussian flotilla of Stettin as the Esping Nr. 3 and Esping Nr. 4.

By the end of 1758, the Prussian flotilla was ready.

During the Seven Years' War, this gunboat was under the command of:

  • since end of 1758: unknown

The Prussian flotilla of the Lagoon of Stettin was disbanded on May 29 1762 and each vessel returned to its former role as merchant or fishing ship.

Service during the War

On September 10 1759, this gunboat took part in the disastrous Combat of Neuwarp where it was deployed in the second line and managed to escape.

By the Autumn of 1761, this gunboat was still part of the flotilla operating on the Pomeranian Coast.

Characteristics

Technical specifications
Guns 6 x 3 pdr guns
Crew 11
  • 1 captain
  • 1 helmsman
  • 9 sailors

7 soldiers (from Garrison Regiment No. I Puttkammer)

  • 1 NCO
  • 6 grenadiers (in fact musketeers designated as grenadiers because of their special role as marines)
Length no information found yet
Width no information found yet
Depth no information found yet
Displacement no information found yet

References

Cremer, Peter: Die preussischen Landregimenter & -milizen, die Stettiner Haff-Flotille und das Verpflegungswesen der Armee 1756-1753, KLIO-Arbeitgruppe, Heimbach, 1987

N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.