List of early warships of the English navy explained

This is a list of early warships belonging to the English sovereign or the English Government, the precursor to the Royal Navy of England (from 1707 of Great Britain, and subsequently of the United Kingdom). These include major and minor warships from 1485 until 1660, the latter being the year in which the Royal Navy came formally into existence with the Restoration of Charles II (before the Interregnum, English warships had been the personal property of the monarch and were collectively termed "the king's ships"). Between Charles I's execution in 1649 and the Restoration eleven years later, the Navy became the property of the state (Commonwealth and Protectorate), under which it expanded dramatically in size.

Prefix

While the prefix "HMS" (for His or Her Majesty's Ship) is often applied in connection with these ships, the term was not technically applicable, as it was only instituted with the establishment of the Royal Navy in 1660, following the Restoration of King Charles II of England.

Glossary

The dates for ships before 1485 are probably listed using the contemporary English convention of the first day of the year being 25 March (Lady Day).

In the sections listing warships in the English/Royal Navy from 1485 onwards, the dates have been quoted using the modern convention of the year starting on 1 January, where this information is available. All dates are given in the Julian Calendar ("Old Style").

List of English warships before 1485

The following list is based extensively upon that provided in Michael Oppenheim's History of the Administration of the Royal Navy and in Volume 1 of William Laird Clowes's The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to 1900.

Note that almost every vessel listed had the words "of the Tower" (or "de la Tour" when inscribed in French, still an official language at the time) affixed to its name. This affix was simply the equivalent of the modern prefix "HMS" and is omitted below.

The number of guns quoted in most sources comprised almost entirely small(ish) iron weapons created from wrought material bound into barrels by iron hoops. These were exclusively anti-personnel weaponry; very few heavy weapons were carried, and even these were rarely used for ship-to-ship fire.

List of English warships 1485–1603

The lists for the Tudor period are taken primarily from Arthur Nelson's The Tudor Navy and David Childs's Tudor Sea Power (cited in references at the end of this article).

Where applicable, number of main guns follows name (see Rating system of the Royal Navy). Note that long-lived ships could be rearmed several times. Many earlier ships went through periodic repairs and rebuildings (many now unrecorded) during which their dimensions and their armament changed considerably.

Henry VII (additions 1485–1509)

The number of guns listed in various sources is not really relevant; most of the large number quoted in contemporary records were small anti-personnel weapons, and the number of these would vary from time to time (changes usually unrecorded). Accordingly, the figures have been omitted.

Henry VIII (additions 1509–1547)

Heavy (bronze) guns mounted on carriages only appeared during this reign. The concept of cutting gunports into the lower deck emerged early in the period, and relatively few heavy guns were carried. Even the largest would only have heavy guns numbering in single figures, the remainder being small anti-personnel weapons.

Ships

These were described simply as ships, most were probably carracks)

Carracks

These were specifically mentioned as such, although most of the "ships" above were probably carracks also.

Galleys

Galleasses

The galleass was a compromise between the sleek lines and underwater shape of the galley and the broadside guns of the carrack; in this sense it was the predecessor of the galleon. Primarily sailing warships, with oars as ancillary means of propulsion. Twelve were built for Henry VIII in three groups between 1536 and 1546, and two further vessels of the type were captured from the Scottish Navy and added to the English fleet, and another was purchased. As the oars were found to detract from their sailing performance, they were removed by the time of Henry's death and in 1549 all fifteen galleasses were re-classed as 'ships'. Those in good condition were rebuilt as small galleons in 1558 (six) or 1570 (two).

First groupThese four vessels were three-masted galleasses, each with a low forecastle and three pairs of gunports set along the rowing deck. A fifth galleasse - the George - was much smaller and was purchased rather than built for the Navy.

Second groupThe four ships built to this type (together with two similar vessels captured from the Scots) were four-masted galleasses with a higher forecastle. They also had three or four pairs of gunports on the lower deck, but also a couple of smaller pairs on the half-deck above.

Last groupAlso four-masted, these were flush-decked vessels, with the forecastle joined to the half-deck to form a continuous upper deck.

Other small vessels

These were classed as pinnaces

Also in 1546, thirteen armed rowbarges of 20 tons each were built – Double Rose, Flower de Luce (captured by the French in 1562), Sun, Harp, Cloud in the Sun, Hawthorne, Three Ostrich Feathers, Falcon in the Fetterlock, Portcullis, Rose in the Sun, Maidenhead, Roseslip and Gillyflower. The first three of these were rebuilt in 1557–58 and classed as pinnaces, the next five named above were sold in 1548–49 (for £154.4.0d each) and the last five were condemned in 1552.

Edward VI (additions 1547–1553)

Notwithstanding the considerable number of minor additions below, few significant vessels were added during this brief reign, and the majority of those that were added are prizes. Except where a fate is stated below, all the following were only listed as king's ships in the year quoted in brackets, and did not appear subsequently in records.

Mary I (additions 1553–1558)

Contrary to the subsequent Elizabethan propaganda that Mary's reign neglected the Navy, this brief reign saw the addition of the first real galleons (all Henry's new or rebuilt big ships had been carracks) – the first three detailed below – and the rebuilding of six former galleasses to the galleon concept, as well as the commencement of a larger vessel ordered under the name Edward, which was to be launched as Elizabeth Jonas in the first few months of Elizabeth's reign.

Note the number of guns given above is nominal. The much greater figures usually quoted include small/light cast-iron (anti-personnel) weapons, whereas the figures quoted here reflect the approximate number of carriage-mounted heavy bronze guns positioned on the lower or upper deck for anti-ship fire.

Elizabeth I (additions 1558–1603)

List of English warships (1603–1642)

Number of carriage-mounted (or similar) guns follows name (see Rating system of the Royal Navy). For many early warships, the published "number of guns" included smaller anti-personnel weapons (mounted on swivels), whereas for strict comparison with later data only carriage-mounted heavy guns should be included.

The major ships (from 1618 onwards) are included in pages 158–159 of The Ship of the Line, Volume I, by Brian Lavery, published by Conways, 1983, . Lesser warships ("below the line") are taken from A History of the Administration on the Royal Navy (sic!) 1509–1660, by Michael Oppenheim, published by the Bodley Head, 1896. Both lists are augmented from British Warships in the Age of Sail 1603–1714: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates, by Rif Winfield, published by Seaforth Publishing, 2009, .

Major ships existing in 1618

New and Rebuilt Ships, James I (1603–1625)

For the first time, under the Stuart monarchy, a division of the Navy into different categories was initiated. The largest of the great ships were categorised as ships royal, while the remainder were grouped as middling ships or small ships.
Note that ships royal would under Charles I become the first rank (later first rate) ships; similarly, great ships would become the second rank (later second rate) ships; middling ships would become the third rank (later third rate) ships; and small ships would become the fourth rank (later fourth rate) ships – later to be further sub-divided (about 1650) into fourth, fifth and sixth rates.

New and rebuilt ships, Charles I (1625–1642)

Note that this list only included the first part of Charles's reign preceding the English Civil War (i.e. up to 1642), Subsequent acquisitions are listed in the following section.

Lesser ships

Early frigates

Captured ships, 1625–1636

List of major English warships of the English Civil War, the Commonwealth and Protectorate (1642–1660)

The interregnum between the execution of Charles I in 1649 and the Restoration of royal authority in 1660 saw the full emergence of the ship-of-the-line and its employment during the first Anglo-Dutch War. During this period the English navy technically became first the Commonwealth Navy, later the Protectorate Navy and subsequently the Commonwealth Navy again; the prefix "HMS" is thus not applicable to any English warship during the Interregnum.

The following lists include ships of the line, i.e. vessels of the first, second, third and fourth rates which were judged fit to stand in the line of battle. Smaller warships of the fifth and sixth rates, and the even smaller unrated vessels, appear in the subsequent section.

Under the categorisation as amended in late 1653, the rates were based on the number of men in the established complement of a ship, as follows:

However, there were numerous exceptions, and ships changed their Rating from time to time.

Number of main guns follows name (see rating system of the Royal Navy)

The larger ships are listed in pages 159–160 of The Ship of the Line Volume I, by Brian Lavery, published by Conways, 1983,, and more fully in British Warships in the Age of Sail: 1603–1714, by Rif Winfield, published by Seaforth Publishing, 2009, . Lesser warships ("below the line") are taken from A History of the Administration on the Royal Navy (sic!) 1509–1660, by Michael Oppenheim, published by the Bodley Head, 1896, as well as from Winfield's book.

The frigates listed here are not the type of vessel known as frigates in the 18th and 19th centuries. The term in the 17th century signified a fast vessel, with low superstructure to give more stability.

First and second rates (three-decked ships)

A programme comprising four second rates of 60 guns each was adopted in 1654. However, of these four ships the Naseby was completed as a first rate, while the Richard was reclassed as a first rate in 1660 (and renamed).

Early frigates (fourth rates)

Later frigates (third and fourth rates)

Major rebuilds

Captures of the First Anglo-Dutch War

The following list covers only the major vessels, all taken from the Dutch and added to the Commonwealth Navy as fourth rates; several dozen further small vessels were also captured from the Dutch during this war, and added to the Protectorate Navy, usually as fifth rate or sixth rate vessels.

Captures from the Royalists

Captures from the Portuguese

Captures from the French

Other ships

For ships-of-the-line of the Royal Navy, successor to the Protectorate Navy after 1660, see List of ships of the line of the Royal Navy

List of smaller English warships of the English Civil War, the Commonwealth and Protectorate (1642–1660)

[7]

In principle, vessels with an established complement of fewer than 150 were classed (from late 1653) as fifth rate (with between 80 and 139 men), sixth rate (with between 50 and 79 men), or as unrated (with fewer than 50 men). However, there were numerous exceptions, and a large number of vessels changed categories during their service lives.

(note these six were ketch-rigged, three being classed as sixth rates and three being unrated)

See also

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Date of rebuild taken from p158, Lavery, Brian The Ship of the Line Volume I, pub Conways, 1983,
  2. http://www.csubmarine.org/ www.csubmarine.org: Chatham dockyard
  3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7899831.stm BBC: 'Superguns' of Elizabeth I's navy
  4. p 158–159, Lavery, Brian The Ship of the Line Volume I, pub Conways, 1983,
  5. 51 guns in 1622. How many it had earlier is not stated. p158 The Ship of the Line Volume I, by Brian Lavery, pub Conways, 1983,
  6. p 159–160, Lavery, Brian The Ship of the Line Volume I, pub Conways, 1983,
  7. This list has been completed for purpose-built craft, but numerous captured and purchased vessels need to be added.

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