HMS Solebay (1694)

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History
England
NameHMS Solebay
Ordered1694
BuilderEdward Snelgrove, Redhouse
Launched13 September 1694
Commissioned13 August 1694
FateWrecked 25 December 1709
General characteristics
Type20-gun sixth rate
Tons burthen253+694 bm
Length
  • 93 ft 0 in (28.3 m) gundeck
  • 77 ft 8 in (23.7 m) keel for tonnage
Beam24 ft 11 in (7.6 m) for tonnage
Depth of hold10 ft 8 in (3.3 m)
Armament
  • initially as ordered
  • 20 × sakers on wooden trucks (UD)
  • 4 × 3-pdr on wooden trucks (QD)
  • 1703 Establishment
  • 20 × 6-pdrs on wooden trucks (UD)
  • 4 × 4-pdr on wooden trucks (QD)

HMS Solebay was a member of the standardized 20-gun sixth rates built at the end of the 17th century. After commissioning she spent her career mainly in the North Sea with a stint in the Irish sea. Mainly employed as a trade protection vessel. She was wrecked in 1709.[1]

Solebay was the first named vessel in the Royal Navy.[2]

Construction[edit]

She was ordered in the Second Batch of eight ships to be built under contrat by Edward Snelgrove of Redhouse. She was launched on 13 September 1694.[3]

Commissioned service[edit]

She was commissioned on 13 August 1694 under the command of Captain Robert Stevens, RN, for service in the North Sea. Captain Henry Wilde, RN, took command on 1 May 1695 for fishery protection in the North Sea. With Captain Henry Lawrence taking command from 25 May 1699 into 1700 she remained in the Irish Sea. Her assignment was changed to the North Sea under the following commanders: 1702 Captain John Alfred, RN; 1706 Commander Galfridus Walpole, RN; 1707 Commander Sir Tancred Robinson, RN; and 1708 Commander George Stidson, RN.[4]

Disposition[edit]

HMS Solebay was wrecked on Boston Knock sands, Lincolnshire, on 25 December 1709.[5][Note 1]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ ref Winfield states she was wreck on Boston Knock sands whereas ref Colledge states she was wrecked on Boston Rock near Lyme Regis.

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ Winfield
  2. ^ Colledge
  3. ^ Winfield
  4. ^ Winfield
  5. ^ Winfield

References[edit]

  • Winfield, British Warships in the Age of Sail (1603 – 1714), by Rif Winfield, published by Seaforth Publishing, England © 2009, EPUB ISBN 9781783469246, Chapter 6, The Sixth Rates, Vessels acquired from 18 December 1688, Sixth Rates of 20 guns and up to 26 guns, Maidstone Group, Solebay
  • Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, by J.J. Colledge, revised and updated by Lt Cdr Ben Warlow and Steve Bush, published by Seaforth Publishing, Barnsley, Great Britain, © 2020, e ISBN 978-1-5267-9328-7 (EPUB), Section S (Solebay)