Sphinx

Posted by Jon Miller on Wednesday 3rd of June 2026 12:05

London, 26 February 1751: The Sphinx man of war, Capt Lloyd, arrived on Friday last at Spithead, from Lisbon, having on board a large quantity of money, for the merchants of this city. [Kentish Post, 28 February 1751]

Posted by Jon Miller on Wednesday 3rd of June 2026 12:03

London, 5 March 1750: This day came an account, that on Wednesday last his Majesty’s ship the Sphinx, Capt Lloyd, was in great distress, and obliged to throw overboard all her guns except two; but by the assistance of the people from Calais, the ship and crew were saved, and they steered the next day for Dunkirk Road. [Kentish Post, 7 March 1750]

Posted by Jon Miller on Wednesday 3rd of June 2026 11:37

London, 29 March 1750: The Lords of the Admiralty have appointed Capt Lloyd to be commander of the Sphinx man of war. [Kentish Post, 31 March 1750]

Posted by Jon Miller on Wednesday 27th of May 2026 00:40

London, 2 September 1751: Thursday was held a Board of Admiralty, when their Lordships were pleased to order the Sphynx, Capt Lloyd; the Assurance, Capt Watts; and the Fortune sloop, Capt Bates, to be fitted out for sea-service directly; the two first for Nova Scotia, and the latter for Newfoundland. [Kentish Post, 4 September 1751]

Posted by Jon Miller on Monday 25th of May 2026 00:56

Gosport, 4 April 1751: His Majesty’s ship Sphinx is arrived and sailed into the harbour, in order to be docked and fitted for sea service. [Kentish Post, 10 April 1751]

Posted by Jon Miller on Sunday 24th of May 2026 16:41

London, 2 March 1751: On Thursday last his Majesty’s ship the Sphynx, Capt Lloyd, arrived at Portsmouth, from Cadiz and Lisbon, having on board a large quantity of money for the merchants. [Kentish Post, 6 March 1751]

Posted by Cy on Tuesday 14th of July 2020 14:44

Generally being commissioned is simply the act of havinmg a captain issued a commission to caommand the ship, although they didn't always, even usually, take command from the day of the commission. There sometimes being gaps of several weeks between the date of commission and them actually taking command.
All new ships would have their captain and senior officers appointed around the date of launch, occasionally before. There was a lot to do and the captain and officers job was to oversee the adding of masts, rigging, ballast, boats, armament and other stores, recuiting a crew etc.

Posted by Cory Taylor on Tuesday 14th of July 2020 12:48

What does it mean for a ship to be commissioned? How common was it for the British sips to be commissioned before they were finished being built, around 1748? Are there many examples? What would the reasoning be for commissioning a ship before it was deemed sea worthy?