British Sixth Rate frigate 'Fox' (1773)

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Fox

4362
Nominal Guns28BWAS-1714
NationalityGreat Britain
OperatorRoyal Navy
Ordered25.12.1770BWAS-1714
Keel Laid Down5.1771BWAS-1714
Launched2.9.1773BWAS-1714
First Commissioned21.10.1775BWAS-1714
How acquiredPurpose builtBWAS-1714
ShipyardNortham - Devon BWAS-1714
Ship ClassEnterprise Class (1771)BWAS-1714
Designed by
John WilliamsBritish
Designer
Ship Builder
Service 1762-1784
BWAS-1714
Constructor
Thomas RaymondBritish
Ship Builder
BWAS-1714
CategorySixth RateBWAS-1714
Ship TypeFrigateBWAS-1714
Sailing RigShip RiggedBWAS-1714
Captured11.9.1778BWAS-1714

Dimensions


DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentBWAS-1714
Length of Gundeck120' 6"Imperial Feet36.5836 
Length of Keel99' 6"Imperial Feet30.1921 
Breadth33' 8"Imperial Feet10.1261 
Depth in Hold11' 0"Imperial Feet3.3528 
Burthen599 83⁄94Tons BM 

Armament


2.9.1773Broadside Weight = 117 Imperial Pound ( 53.0598 kg)BWAS-1714
Upper Gun Deck24 British 9-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck12 British 1/2-Pound Swivel
Quarterdeck4 British 3-Pounder

Crew Complement


Date# of MenNotesSource
3.1.1771200Design Complement

2 Ship Commanders


DatesRankNameSource
21.10.1775 - 7.6.1777Captain
Patrick FotheringhamBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1754-1782
ADM 6/21/128BWAS-17148.4.1778 - 11.9.1778Captain
The Hon. Thomas WindsorBritish
Naval Sailor
Service 1772-1795
ADM 6/21/388BWAS-1714

Service History


DateEventSource
2.9.1773building at Northam - Devon at a cost of £9638.10.4dBWAS-1714
12.9.1773Began Completed at Portsmouth Dockyard - Portsmouth BWAS-1714
12.2.1776Completed Completed at Portsmouth Dockyard - Portsmouth at a cost of £2093.6.9dBWAS-1714
11.3.1776Sailed for NewfoundlandBWAS-1714
7.6.1777Action of 7th June 1777
7.6.1777Taken by
Boston (24) 1776-1780
American 24 Gun
5th Rate Frigate

7.6.1777Taken by
Hancock (1) 1775-1775
American 1 Gun
Unrated Galley

8.7.1777Retaken together with the
Hancock (34) 1776-1777
American 34 Gun
5th Rate Frigate

8.7.1777Taken by
Flora (32) 1761-1778
British 32 Gun
5th Rate Frigate

4.1778Began coppering and fitting at Portsmouth Dockyard - Portsmouth BWAS-1714
6.1778Completed coppering and fitting at Portsmouth Dockyard - Portsmouth at a cost of £3947.4.5dBWAS-1714
7.6.1778Taken by
Rainbow (44) 1747-1802
British 44 Gun
5th Rate Ship of the Line

11.9.1778Taken by
La Junon (32) 1778-1780
French 32 Gun
5th Rate Frigate


 
Previous comments on this page

Posted by Jon Miller on Thursday 28th of May 2026 14:59

Portsmouth, 5 February 1780: The Honourable Captain Windsor, late of the Fox frigate, and Captain Bigge, of the Lively and several other officers, lately exchanged, have since taken their trials, and were honourably acquitted. [Hampshire Chronicle, 7 February 1780]

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