Severn

Posted by Jon Miller on Thursday 28th of May 2026 12:12

London, 28 May 1752: Last week an accident happened on board the Severn man of war, lying off Plymouth Dock, ready to sail with the other ships, to relieve his Majesty’s ships stationed in the West Indies, that had very near put a stop to her voyage, by some materials catching fire in the Boatswain’s store-room, which joined to one of the powder magazines on board; the fire presently got a-head so much, that the crew, excepting a very few, quit the ship, and went on shore, expecting every moment to see her blow up; but the men that were left, were determined to perish, rather than lose the ship; accordingly they went to work with a full resolution to extinguish it, which made a prodigious smoak; when by knocking out the heads of the water casks, and handing the buckets of water from one to the other, they by great labour and difficulty got it under. After they had sufficiently quenched it, they went on deck, gave three huzzas to a prodigious number of spectators, who lined the shore, expecting every moment to see the sight; and then the remainder of the crew went on board. [Kentish Post, 30 May 1752]

Posted by Jon Miller on Wednesday 27th of May 2026 10:57

London, 16 January 1752: The Lords of the Admiralty have put the Severn man of war at Chatham into commission. [Kentish Post, 18 January 1752]

Posted by Jon Miller on Monday 25th of May 2026 07:19

London, 4 May 1751: Yesterday was held a Board of Admiralty, when their Lordships gave orders for the fitting out the Severn and Grantham men of war. [Kentish Post, 8 May 1751]