HMS Seahorse (1694) explained

HMS Seahorse was a member of the standardized 20-gun sixth rates built at the end of the 17th century. After commissioning she spent her career in the North Sea, the English Channel, Irish sea, Newfoundland and finally Jamaica. Mainly employed as a trade protection vessel. She was wrecked in 1704.^[1]

Seahorse was the fourth named vessel since it was used for a ship captured in 1626 and last mentioned in 1635.^[2]

Construction

She was ordered in the second batch of eight ships to be built under contract by John Haydon of Limehouse. She was launched on 27 September 1694.^[3]

Commissioned service

She was commissioned on 13 August 1694 under the command of Captain Nathaniel Grantham, RN, then Captain Anthony Tollett, RN for service in the English Channel. Captain John Drake, RN took command on 15 January 1696 until his death on 22 November 1697 for service in the Irish Sea then on to Newfoundland in 1697. In 1698 Captain George Walton, RN took over, joining Aylmer's squadron in the Mediterranean in November 1698. Captain Hercules Mitchell took command on 29 June 1701 for service at Jamaica. Captain William Russel, RN took command in June 1702 until his death on 30 June 1703. In 1704 she was under the command of either Commander Richard Jones or William James.^[4]

Loss

HMS Seahorse was wrecked off Manchinoncal, Jamaica, on 14 March 1704.^[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, Seahorse
• 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 S (Seahorse)

Notes and References

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