British Fourth Rate ship of the line 'Falmouth' (1708)

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Falmouth	539
Nominal Guns	54	BWAS-1603
Nationality	Great Britain
Operator	Royal Navy
Ordered	8.2.1706/7	BWAS-1603
Launched	26.2.1707/8	BWAS-1603
First Commissioned	21.2.1707/8	B028
How acquired	Purpose built	BWAS-1603
Shipyard	Woolwich Dockyard - Woolwich	BWAS-1603
Ship Class	1706 Establishment 54-Gunner (1706)	B028
Constructor	Richard StaceyBritish Designer Ship Builder Dockyard Staff Service 1695-1742	BWAS-1603
Category	Fourth Rate	BWAS-1603
Ship Type	Ship of the Line	B028
Sailing Rig	Ship Rigged	B028
Broken Up to Rebuild	24.6.1724	B028

Dimensions

DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentBWAS-1603
Length of Gundeck130' 0"Imperial Feet39.624
Length of Keel107' 0"Imperial Feet32.6136
Breadth35' 1"Imperial Feet10.6731
Depth in Hold14' 0"Imperial Feet4.2672
Burthen700 ⁴⁵⁄₉₄Tons BM

Armament

26.2.1707/8Broadside Weight = 228 Imperial Pound ( 103.398 kg)BWAS-1603
Lower Gun Deck22 British 12-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck22 British 6-Pounder
Quarterdeck8 British 6-Pounder
Forecastle2 British 6-Pounder

Crew Complement

Date# of MenNotesSource
11.1693280Design Complement

5 Ship Commanders

DatesRankNameSource
21.2.1707/8 - 9.3.1707/8Captain Transfered ADM 6/9/142ADM 6/922.3.1707/8 - 6.6.1713Captain ADM 6/9/150BWAS-160316.2.1715/16 - 22.8.1717Captain ADM 6/12/62ADM 6/1216.5.1719 - 29.5.1721Captain ADM 6/12/169BWAS-160317.3.1721/22 - 7.5.1723Captain ADM 6/13/32BWAS-1603

18 Commissioned Officers

DatesRankNameSource
25.2.1707/8 - 11.8.1709First Lieutenant Transfered ADM 6/9/142ADM 6/925.2.1707/8 - 9.3.1711/12Second Lieutenant ADM 6/9/142ADM 6/912.8.1709 - 1.11.1711First Lieutenant ADM 6/10/81ADM 6/102.11.1711 - 10.7.1712First Lieutenant ADM 6/11/174ADM 6/1110.3.1711/12 - 11.7.1712Second Lieutenant ADM 6/11/273
Confirmed 19.9.1713ADM 6/1111.7.1712 - 6.6.1713First Lieutenant ADM 6/11/256
Confirmed 17.4.1713ADM 6/1117.2.1715/16 - 11.4.1716First Lieutenant Transfered ADM 6/12/62ADM 6/1224.2.1715/16 - 22.2.1716/17Second Lieutenant Transfered ADM 6/12/62ADM 6/1212.4.1716 - 22.8.1717First Lieutenant ADM 6/12/67ADM 6/1222.2.1716/17 - 22.8.1717Second Lieutenant ADM 6/12/91ADM 6/1216.5.1719 - 15.1.1720/21First Lieutenant Transfered ADM 6/12/169ADM 6/1216.5.1719 - 20.8.1719Second Lieutenant ADM 6/12/169ADM 6/1221.8.1719 - 14.3.1721/22Second Lieutenant ADM 6/12/184
Confirmed 8.12.1719ADM 6/124.4.1720 - 14.3.1721/22Third Lieutenant ADM 6/12/201ADM 6/1216.1.1720/21 - 14.3.1721/22First Lieutenant ADM 6/12/230ADM 6/1215.3.1721/22 - 7.5.1723First Lieutenant Transfered ADM 6/14/31ADM 6/1315.3.1721/22 - 7.5.1723Second Lieutenant ADM 6/14/31ADM 6/1315.3.1721/22 - 7.5.1723Third Lt. & Lt. at Arms Transfered ADM 6/13/31ADM 6/13

4 Petty Officers

DatesRatingNameSource
1.9.1709 - 16.9.1713Midshipman ADM 107/3/11ADM 107/38.11.1718 - 21.5.1721Volunteer-per-order ADM 107/3/189ADM 107/325.9.1722 - 7.5.1723Midshipman ADM 107/3/142ADM 107/310.3.1722/23 - 7.5.1723Volunteer-per-order ADM 107/3/189ADM 107/3

2 Crewmen

DatesRatingNameSource
3.5.1722 - 13.3.1722/23Able Seaman Transfered ADM 107/3/159ADM 107/37.10.1722 - 23.5.1723Ordinary Seaman ADM 107/3/497ADM 107/3

Service History

DateEventSource
1708Off DunkirkBWAS-1603
2.10.1710Took the Privateer
1711Returned homeBWAS-1603
9.3.1711/12In action against two French ships off the coast of GuineaBWAS-1603
6.6.1713

Paid off

ADM 33
8.1713Began great repair at Portsmouth Dockyard - Portsmouth BWAS-1603
1716Recommissioned and sailed to the BalticBWAS-1603
3.1715/16Completed great repair at Portsmouth Dockyard - Portsmouth at a cost of £7608.2.4dBWAS-1603
21.8.1717

Paid off at Portsmouth Dockyard

ADM 33
1720In the BalticBWAS-1603
1721In home watersBWAS-1603
24.2.1721/22Paid offADM 33
23.5.1723

Paid off

ADM 33
14.5.1724

Ordered to be broken up

BWAS-1603
24.6.1724

Breakup for rebuilding completed a Woolwich

BWAS-1603

Fleets
Dates	Fleet	Fleet Commander	Source
6.1719-11.1719	British Baltic Fleet 1719	Sir John NorrisBritish Naval Sailor Service 1689-1740
13.4.1721-20.10.1721	British Baltic Fleet 1721	Sir John NorrisBritish Naval Sailor Service 1689-1740

Previous comments on this page

Posted by Jon Miller on Thursday 21st of May 2026 17:08

London, 15 April 1721: Yesterday morning at three of the clock, the wind presenting, Sir John Norris sailed from the Nore with the Baltick squadron; except the Falmouth, a ship of 50 guns, which having run a-ground in Long-Reach, is ordered up to Woolwich, to repair her damage. [Newcastle Courant, 22 April 1721]

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