British Fifth Rate ship 'Martin' (1652)

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Recent Comments

Britannia (100) 1762-1825
British 100 Gun
1st Rate Ship of the Line
1812 Renamed "Princess Royal"
1812 Renamed "Saint George"
1819 Renamed "Barfleur"
(1762)
Devastation (6) 1841-1866
British 6 Gun
Unrated Steam Sloop
(1841)
Zephyr (8) 1790-1798
British 8 Gun
Merchant East Indiaman
(1790)
Pembroke (60) 1733-1749
British 60 Gun
4th Rate Ship of the Line
(1733)
Mercury (20) 1745-1753
British 20 Gun
6th Rate Ship
(1745)
Seahorse (24) 1748-1784
British 24 Gun
6th Rate Frigate
(1748)
Charles PowlettBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1728-1749
Namur (74) 1746-1749
British 74 Gun
3rd Rate Ship of the Line
(1746)
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Martin
Nominal Guns	14	B028
Nationality	Commonwealth of England
Operator	State Navy
Ordered	5.12.1651	BWAS-1603
Launched	1652	B028
How acquired	Purpose built	B028
Shipyard	Portsmouth Dockyard - Portsmouth	B028
Constructor	John TippettsBritish Ship Builder Service 1650-1692	BWAS-1603
Category	Fifth Rate	B028
Ship Type	Ship	B028
Sailing Rig	Ship Rigged	B028
Sold	2.1667	BWAS-1603

Dimensions

DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentB028
Burthen127Tons BM
DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentTRN2
Length of Keel64' 0"Imperial Feet19.5072
Breadth19' 4"Imperial Feet5.8025
Depth in Hold7' 0"Imperial Feet2.1336
Burthen92Tons BM
DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentBWAS-1603
Length of Keel64' 0"Imperial Feet19.5072
Breadth19' 4"Imperial Feet5.8025
Depth in Hold7' 6"Imperial Feet2.286
Draught Aft8' 0"Imperial Feet2.4384
Burthen127 ²³⁄₉₄Tons BM

Armament

1660Broadside Weight = 43 Imperial Pound ( 19.5006 kg)BWAS-1603
Gun Deck6 British Demi-Culverin
Gun Deck4 British Saker
Gun Deck2 British Minions
Gun Deck2 British Falcon

Crew Complement

Date# of MenNotesSource
165250 TRN2
1.165250 NRS013
165390 BWAS-1603
165460 TRN2
166050 BWAS-1603
166660Establishment for war abroadBWAS-1603
166650Establishment for war at homeBWAS-1603
166635Establishment for peaceBWAS-1603
167775Establishment for war abroadBWAS-1603
167765Establishment for war at homeBWAS-1603
167745Establishment for peaceBWAS-1603

11 Ship Commanders

DatesRankNameSource
2.1652 - 1653CaptainBWAS-16031653 - 17.6.1653CaptainW0151654 - 1655CaptainBWAS-17141656CaptainBWAS-16031659 - 1660CaptainBWAS-16031660CaptainBWAS-16031660CaptainB0514.4.1664 - 1.12.1664CaptainB0513.12.1664 - 26.5.1665Captain†BWAS-160327.5.1665 - 11.6.1665CaptainBWAS-160316.6.1665 - 60.40.1666CaptainBWAS-1603

Service History

DateEventSource
19.5.1652Battle of Dover
1653In the Downs for the WinterBWAS-1603
2.6.1653Battle of the Gabbard
1654In William Penn's fleet to the CaribbeanB068
1660Re-rated as a Sixth rateBWAS-1603
3.6.1665Battle of Lowestoft
3.8.1665Battle of Vågen
2.1667Sold as uselessBWAS-1603

Previous comments on this page

Posted by Cy on Saturday 13th of September 2025 12:28

At this period rates are based on crew numbers not guns, this vessel has a crew of 50 ish when established so is a 6th rate. Would need to be 60+ for a 5th rate. See the rateings page for details.

Posted by Barnie Razzell on Thursday 11th of September 2025 17:45

I would have thought this would be a 6th rate at 14 guns, wouldnt a 5th rate be over 20?

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Recent comments to other pages

Date posted	By	Page
Monday 8th of June 2026 17:20	F.F.	British First Rate ship of the line 'Britannia' (1762) (100) 1762-1825 British 100 Gun 1st Rate Ship of the Line 1812 Renamed "Princess Royal" 1812 Renamed "Saint George" 1819 Renamed "Barfleur"
Thursday 4th of June 2026 20:01	James Daschuk	British steam sloop 'Devastation' (1841) (6) 1841-1866 British 6 Gun Unrated Steam Sloop
Thursday 4th of June 2026 14:56	AvM	British Merchant east indiaman 'Zephyr' (1790) (8) 1790-1798 British 8 Gun Merchant East Indiaman
Wednesday 3rd of June 2026 19:37	Jon Miller	British Fourth Rate ship of the line 'Pembroke' (1733) (60) 1733-1749 British 60 Gun 4th Rate Ship of the Line
Wednesday 3rd of June 2026 19:33	Jon Miller	British Sixth Rate ship 'Mercury' (1745) (20) 1745-1753 British 20 Gun 6th Rate Ship

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