HMS Culloden (1747)

HMS Culloden was a 74-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built according to the dimensions laid out by the 1741 proposals of the 1719 Establishment at Deptford Dockyard, and launched on 9 September 1747.[1] She was the first ship to bear the name, and was named for the Battle of Culloden, which had been fought the previous year.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Culloden.

A 161 ft 74-gun two-decker third rate, possibly Culloden
History
Great Britain
Name: HMS Culloden
Ordered: 31 December 1744
Builder: Deptford Dockyard
Launched: 9 September 1747
Fate: Sold, 29 June 1770
General characteristics [1]
Class and type: 1741 proposals 74-gun third-rate ship of the line
Tons burthen: 1487 bm
Length: 161 ft (49.1 m) (gundeck)
Beam: 46 ft (14.0 m)
Depth of hold: 19 ft 4 in (5.9 m)
Propulsion: Sails
Sail plan: Full rigged ship
Armament:
  • 74 guns:
  • Gundeck: 28 × 32 pdrs
  • Upper gundeck: 28 × 18 pdrs
  • Quarterdeck: 14 × 9 pdrs
  • Forecastle: 4 × 9 pdrs

Construction

Culloden was the first British 74-gun ship built since HMS Edgar in 1668. Her dimensions matched those of an Establishment 80-gun ship, but she was pierced with more gunports on her gundecks. She was also the smallest 74 of the eighteenth century, and was not considered a particularly successful ship by those who served in her.[2]

"... They gained great honour in bravely and resolutely witstanding, for near three hours, the continual firing from numberless batteries; some they did and others they could not see. They have a great many men killed or wounded ... the Culloden is in a most shattered condition."

— Extract of a 1759 letter describing Culloden and other vessels in action off the French port of Toulon.[3]

Culloden saw active service during the Seven Years' War, including as part of Britain's ongoing blockade of the French port of Toulon in 1759. On 7 June 1759 she was sent close to the port as part of an attempt to burn two French ships that had taken shelter there. The attack was unsuccessful and Culloden was reported to be "most shattered" by French gunfire.[3]

She was finally sold on 29 June 1770, after 23 years in service.

Notes
  1. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol. 1, p. 172.
  2. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol. 1, p. 93.
  3. "Extract of a Letter from Leghorn, June 15". The Caledonian Mercury. Edinburgh: Walter Ruddiman, John Richardson and Company. 9 July 1759. p. 1. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
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References
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