HMS Norfolk (1693)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Norfolk and HMS Princess Amelia.

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
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
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 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.

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.