HMS Norfolk (1693)

History
Great Britain
Name:	HMS Norfolk
Ordered:	21 December 1691 (contract)
Builder:	John Winter, Southampton
Launched:	28 March 1693
Commissioned:	1693
Renamed:	HMS Princess Amelia, 1755
Fate:	Broken up, 1757
Notes:	Participated in: Battle of Vélez-Málaga
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type:	80-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen:	1184 ^22⁄94 bm
Length:	156 ft 6 in (47.7 m) (gundeck) 129 ft 3.25 in (39.4 m) (keel)
Beam:	41 ft 6 in (12.6 m)
Depth of hold:	17 ft 4 in (5.3 m)
Propulsion:	Sails
Sail plan:	Full rigged ship
Complement:	476
Armament:	80 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1728 rebuild[2]
Class and type:	1719 Establishment 80-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen:	1393 ^5⁄94 bm
Length:	158 ft 0 in (48.2 m) (gundeck) 128 ft 2 in (39.1 m) (keel)
Beam:	45 ft 2.5 in (13.8 m) (as built)
Propulsion:	Sails
Sail plan:	Full rigged ship
Complement:	520
Armament:	80 guns: Gundeck: 26 × 32 pdrs Middle gundeck: 26 × 12 pdrs Upper gundeck: 24 × 6 pdrs Quarterdeck: 4 × 6 pdrs

HMS Norfolk was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was built at Southampton and launched on 28 March 1693, and was the first ship to bear the name. She was rebuilt at Plymouth according to the 1719 Establishment, and was re-launched on 21 September 1728. Instead of carrying her armament on two decks as she had done originally, she now carried them on three gundecks, though she continued to be rated a third rate.

She gained her first battle honour at Vélez-Málaga in 1704. The ship conducted a number of important duties throughout her long career. She was then employed in the role of Plymouth guardship, before being attached to the Mediterranean Fleet and then, subsequently, to the West Indies, as reinforcement for that region, as well as performing as flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir John Balchen.

The Norfolk was rebuilt at Plymouth Dockyard from 1718 to 1728 to the dimensions of the 1719 Establishment. She was not fitted out until 1731, when she was recommissioned under Captain John Roberta. Her final action was near France in 1744. Norfolk was renamed Princess Amelia in 1755, two years after the previous Princess Amelia had been broken up. She herself was broken up in 1757.

Notes

1. Winfield, British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792, p27.
2. Winfield, British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792, p30.

References

• Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.
• Winfield, Rif (2007) British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84415-700-6.