Britannia

entirely rebuilt from the keel in Bristol in 1757 and allowed by all judges to be the compleatest ship of the kind fitted out this war, being 94 ft. keel, 29 ft. 8 ins, extreme breadth, 120 ft. on the gun deck, has most excellent accomodation, being 4 ft. 8 ins, between decks, is fit either for his Majesty’s service or a private ship of war or will make an excellent ship for the African or Turkey trade.” Bristol

On 1st July, 1757 the Britannia engaged the privateer Granville of Granville, a ship about four months old, built at Granville, pierced for 48 guns, but mounting 30 only; 22 nine-pounders and twelve-pounders on main deck, 2 twelve-pounders between decks, 8 four- pounders on quarter deck, and 5 swivels, with 278 men. Length by the. keel, 110ft.; beam, 32 ft. 8 in.; depth of hold, 13 ft. The fight lasted. three hours, “when after having our rigging mostly shot away, first and second captains killed and about 40 or 60 men killed and wounded, we were obliged to sheer off to mend our rigging, during which time the enemy made what sail she could after us and continued firing her bow chase and we those of our stern, at pistol shot distance, when in less. than an hour after sheering off, our ship blew up, but whether occasioned by a shot or an accident in the powder magazine, we cannot affirm, though we heard two of the enemy’s guns the instant before and found ourselves immediately up in the air.” The foregoing is from the deposition of the four survivors of the Granville, which had sailed from Brest on 23rd June. “The Britannia’s rigging was all cut to pieces but by the good conduct and management of the commander and second captain, Mr. Robert Todd, the whole was completely repaired at sea in three days, without her coming into port, so that she still remains on her station, having but 3 killed and 9 wounded in the action.”

Advertised to sail on 4 months cruise from  Bristol

At the beginning of 1758 the Britannia put into Corunna with 10 men dead and 80 sick. Near  Ferrol

The Britannia was advertised for sale in July, and is described as follows: “450 tons. 22 nine-pounders on gun deck. 10 six-pounders on quarter deck and forecastle, entirely rebuilt from the keel in Bristol in 1757 and allowed by all judges to be the compleatest ship of the kind fitted out this war, being 94 ft. keel, 29 ft. 8 ins, extreme breadth, 120 ft. on the gun deck, has most excellent accomodation, being 4 ft. 8 ins, between decks Bristol

In November 1758,the Britannia, still commanded by Captain Fowler, sent a French brig into Plymouth, and was employed in the Carolina trade.

May, 1762 when bound to St. Kitts, the Britannia took a privateer belonging to Bilbao, of 14 carriage guns, 12 swivels and 113 men. The latter boarded the Britannia, but was beaten off with the loss of several men, and in return was boarded and taken with a loss of 13 killed and 7 wounded. Captain Olive and one man were wounded in the Britannia, and the prize was sent into Lisbon.