British sloop 'Speedwell' (1744)

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Speedwell
Nominal Guns	10	BWAS-1714
Nationality	Great Britain
Operator	Royal Navy
Ordered	30.3.1744	BWAS-1714
Keel Laid Down	4.1744	BWAS-1714
Named	7.11.1744	BWAS-1714
Launched	9.11.1744	BWAS-1714
How acquired	Purpose built	BWAS-1714
Shipyard	Deptford - London	BWAS-1714
Ship Class	Merlin Class (1743)	BWAS-1714
Designed by	Jacob AckworthBritish Naval Sailor Designer Ship Builder Dockyard Staff Service 1690-1744	BWAS-1714
Constructor	John BuxtonBritish Ship Builder	BWAS-1714
Category	Unrated	BWAS-1714
Ship Type	Sloop	BWAS-1714
Sailing Rig	Ketch	BWAS-1714
Sold	13.11.1750	BWAS-1714

Dimensions

DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentBWAS-1714
Length of Gundeck91' 3 ¾"Imperial Feet27.7559
Length of Keel73' 9 ¼"Imperial Feet22.2568
Breadth26' 3 ½"Imperial Feet7.9375
Depth in Hold11' 10"Imperial Feet3.3528
Burthen270 ²³⁄₉₄Tons BM

Armament

9.11.1744Broadside Weight = 33.5 Imperial Pound ( 15.1926 kg)BWAS-1714
Upper Gun Deck10 British 6-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck14 British 1/2-Pound Swivel

1748Broadside Weight = 45.5 Imperial Pound ( 20.6346 kg)BWAS-1714
Upper Gun Deck14 British 6-Pounder
Upper Gun Deck14 British 1/2-Pound Swivel

Crew Complement

Date# of MenNotesSource
1743110Design Complement
1748125 BWAS-1714

5 Ship Commanders

DatesRankNameSource
16.11.1744 - 2.4.1746Commander ADM 6/16/375ADM 6/163.4.1746 - 5.12.1747Commander ADM 6/17/84ADM 6/175.12.1747 - 6.5.1748Commander ADM 6/17/292ADM 6/176.5.1748 - 12.7.1748Commander ADM 6/17/459
Issued by
Confirmed 28.4.1749BWAS-171413.7.1748 - 14.7.1750Commander ADM 6/17/369BWAS-1714

2 Commissioned Officers

DatesRankNameSource
17.4.1746 - 2.9.1747Lieutenant ADM 6/17/92ADM 6/1730.1.1749/50 - 17.4.1750Lieutenant Transfered ADM 6/17/531
Issued by
Confirmed 30.8.1750ADM 6/17

1 Warrant Officer

DatesRankNameSource
15.11.1744 - 1744Purser ADM 6/16/375ref:1788

1 Crewman

DatesRatingNameSource
29.1.1745/46 - 31.3.1746Able Seaman Transfered ADM 107/4/277ADM 107/4

Service History

DateEventSource
4.1744Began building at Deptford - London BWAS-1714
11.1744Commissioned for the North SeaBWAS-1714
9.11.1744Completed building at Deptford - London at a cost of £2211.0.0dBWAS-1714
9.11.1744Began fitting at Deptford Dockyard - Deptford BWAS-1714
19.1.1744/45Completed fitting at Deptford Dockyard - Deptford at a cost of £2003.13.1dBWAS-1714
2.1746In Scottish watersBWAS-1714
5.1748Sailed for the Leeward IslandsBWAS-1714
7.1748In North AmericaBWAS-1714
16.7.1750Paid off at Deptford Dockyard ADM 106
5.9.1750SurveyedBWAS-1714
20.9.1750Ordered to be soldBWAS-1714
13.11.1750Sold at Deptford for £430BWAS-1714

Sources

IDNameAuthorType

ADM 106 Document

ADM 107/4 Archive

ADM 6/16 Archive

ADM 6/17 Archive

BWAS-1714Rif Winfield, Book

ref:1788Christopher Donnithorne, Book

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Saturday 13th of June 2026 18:33	x	British Fourth Rate ship of the line 'Convertine' (1650) (40) 1650-1666 British 40 Gun 4th Rate Ship of the Line
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