HMS Warwick (1767)
Warwick (centre) in action against the 50-gun Dutch ship Rotterdam, on 5 January 1781 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Great Britain | |
| Name | HMS Warwick |
| Ordered | 13 December 1758 |
| Builder | Thomas Bucknall |
| Cost | £20,493.8.10d plus £8,620.1.6d for fitting |
| Laid down | 27 August 1762 |
| Launched | 28 February 1762 |
| Completed | March 1771 |
| Fate | Sold 24 March 1802 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Fourth-rate |
| Tons burthen | 1,073 71⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 40 feet 3 inches (12.3 m) |
| Depth of hold | 18 feet 3 inches (6 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Fully-rigged ship |
| Complement | 350 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Warwick was a fifty-gun, two-deck, sailing warship of the Royal Navy and was one of the largest of her type. She was first commissioned during the Falkland Crisis of 1770 but the conflict was resolved before she could sail. In 1780, Warwick left for North America under George Elphinstone, to serve in the American Revolutionary War. While in the Channel, she captured Rotterdam on 5 January 1781, a Dutch two-decker of 50 guns, before returning to America and taking two privateer brigs in May and a schooner in August.
Following the capture of Charleston, she transported troops to the town, arriving on 13 June. She continued to harass enemy shipping in American waters and in September 1782, was part of a squadron that chased the French frigates, Aigle and Gloire, of 28 and 32 guns respectively, into the dangerous shallows of the Delaware River. Gloire escaped but Aigle ran aground and was captured.
At the start of 1783, Warwick returned home and paid off. She was fitted out as a receiving ship at Chatham and served in that role until she was sold in March 1802.