British Fourth Rate ship of the line 'Firm' (1759)

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Firm

304
Nominal Guns74BWAS-1714
NationalityGreat Britain
OperatorRoyal Navy
Ordered15.7.1756BWAS-1714
Keel Laid Down12.8.1756BWAS-1714
Launched15.1.1759BWAS-1714
First Commissioned15.2.1759BWAS-1714
How acquiredPurpose builtBWAS-1714
ShipyardBlackwall - London BWAS-1714
Ship ClassEdgar Class (1774)BWAS-1714
Designed by
Sir Thomas SladeBritish
Designer
Ship Builder
Dockyard Staff
Service 1744-1783
BWAS-1714
Constructor
John PerryBritish
Ship Builder
Service 1758-1767
BWAS-1714
CategoryFourth RateBWAS-1714
Ship TypeShip of the LineBWAS-1714
Sailing RigShip RiggedBWAS-1714
Sold10.11.1791BWAS-1714

Dimensions


DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentBWAS-1714
Length of Gundeck154' 8"Imperial Feet46.943 
Length of Keel127' 0"Imperial Feet38.7096 
Breadth43' 10"Imperial Feet13.1064 
Depth in Hold18' 7"Imperial Feet5.5086 
Draught Forward11' 8"Imperial Feet3.556 
Draught Aft13' 4"Imperial Feet3.9963 
Burthen1,297 88⁄94Tons BM 

Armament


1759Broadside Weight = 474 Imperial Pound ( 214.959 kg)BWAS-1714
Lower Gun Deck24 British 24-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck26 British 12-Pounder
Quarterdeck8 British 6-Pounder
Forecastle2 British 6-Pounder

Crew Complement


Date# of MenNotesSource
1.1759420Design ComplementBWAS-1714

6 Ship Commanders


DatesRankNameSource
15.2.1759 - 13.5.1763Captain
John FergusonBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1727-1763
ADM 6/19/36ADM 6/196.10.1763 - 24.10.1766Captain
John ElphinstoneBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1739-1783
ADM 6/19/543BWAS-171424.10.1766 - 20.5.1767Captain
John EliotBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1752-1783
ADM 6/20/140ADM 6/2020.5.1767 - 24.5.1770Captain
Richard HughesBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1739-1805
ADM 6/20/168BWAS-171424.5.1770 - 20.10.1770Captain
Paul Henry OurryBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1742-1773
Transfered ADM 6/20/279BWAS-171420.10.1770 - 1.4.1771Captain
John RushworthBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1741-1771
ADM 6/20/303ADM 6/20

1 Flag Officer


DatesRankNameSource
15.2.1759 - 6.4.1762Commodore
John ReynoldsBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1740-1787
Transfered ADM 107/3/139BWAS-1714

5 Commissioned Officers


DatesRankNameSource
6.10.1763 - 4.4.1766Third Lieutenant
Henry VassmerBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1753-1763
ADM 6/19/543ADM 6/194.4.1766 - 29.9.1766Second Lieutenant
Henry VassmerBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1753-1763
Transfered ADM 6/20/114ADM 6/1916.10.1766 - 24.10.1766Second Lieutenant
John TrehearneBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1735-1780
ADM 6/20/139ADM 6/2024.10.1766 - 10.11.1769First Lieutenant
John TrehearneBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1735-1780
ADM 6/20/141ADM 6/2023.11.1769 - 1.4.1771First Lieutenant
John CrispoBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1734-1771
ADM 6/20/262ADM 6/20

1 Warrant Officer


DatesRankNameSource
1766 - 5.3.1766Surgeon
Benjamin GoodBritish
Naval Sailor
Dockyard Staff
Service 1766
Transfered ADM 6/20/111ADM 6/20

Service History


DateEventSource
15.1.1759Completed at a cost of £20132.13.9dBWAS-1714
15.1.1759Began fitting at Woolwich Dockyard - Woolwich BWAS-1714
16.3.1759Completed fitting at Woolwich Dockyard - Woolwich at a cost of £7522.15.4dBWAS-1714
21.5.1760

Sailed for the Mediterranean

BWAS-1714
21.5.1763

Paid off

ADM 33
7.1763SurveyedBWAS-1714
7.1763fitting at Plymouth Dockyard - Plymouth BWAS-1714
10.1763RecommissionedBWAS-1714
1.3.1771

Surveyed

BWAS-1714
1.4.1771

Paid off

ADM 33
1772Refitted as a Other Vessels Receiving Hulk
7.1778Refitted as a Other Vessels Hulk
7.1778fitting at Portsmouth Dockyard - Portsmouth BWAS-1714
2.1784Began fitting at Portsmouth Dockyard - Portsmouth BWAS-1714
5.1784Completed fitting at Portsmouth Dockyard - Portsmouth BWAS-1714
10.11.1791

Sold at Portsmouth for £550

BWAS-1714

 
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