HMS Falcon (1694) explained

HMS Falcon was a member of the standardized 20-gun sixth rates built at the end of the 17th century. She had a very brief career in the Royal Navy as she was captured shortly after commissioning by two French ships. She was recaptured in 1703 then broken.^[1]

Falcon was the twelfth named vessel since it was used for a ballinger dating from 1343 and sold in 1352.^[2]

Construction

She was ordered in the Second Batch of eight ships to be built under contract by Nicholas Barret of Shoreham. She was launched on 28 September 1694.^[3]

Commissioned service

She was commissioned on 13 October 1694 under the command of Captain Henry Middleton, RN.^[4]

Disposition

HMS Falcon was taken on 10 June 1695 by the French 40-gun Le Sainte-Antoine and the 24-gun Le Tigre off Dodman Point. She was retaken by the British in 1703 and broken.^[5]

References

• Winfield, British Warships in the Age of Sail (1603 – 1714), by Rif Winfield, published by Seaforth Publishing, England © 2009, EPUB, Chapter 6, The Sixth Rates, Vessels acquired from 18 December 1688, Sixth Rates of 20 guns and up to 26 guns, Maidstone Group, Falcon
• Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, by J.J. Colledge, revised and updated by Lt Cdr Ben Warlow and Steve Bush, published by Seaforth Publishing, Barnsley, Great Britain, © 2020, e (EPUB), Section F (Falcon)

Notes and References

1. Winfield
2. Colledge
3. Winfield
4. Winfield
5. Winfield