HMS Anne Galley
Anne Galley blowing up during the Battle of Toulon, 1744
|
|
| History | |
|---|---|
 UK
|
|
| Name: | Anne Galley |
| Completed: | 19 August 1739 at Deptford Dockyard |
| Acquired: | 22 June 1739 |
| Commissioned: | July 1739 |
| In service: | 1739–1744 |
| Honours and awards: |
|
| Fate: | Destroyed off Toulon, 11 February 1744 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | 8-gun fire ship |
| Tons burthen: | 302 16⁄94 (bm) |
| Length: |
|
| Beam: | 26 ft 8 in (8.1 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 12 ft 3 in (3.7 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Complement: | 55 |
| Armament: | 8 × 6-pounder guns + 8 × ½-pounder swivel guns |
HMS Anne Galley was an 8-gun fire ship of the Royal Navy, launched in 1739 and in active service during the War of the Austrian Succession against Spain and France. Badly damaged in combat against the Spanish in 1744, she was destroyed while engaging the Spanish flagship Real Felipe.
Anne Galley was originally a commercial vessel owned by merchant George Stevens of Deptford. She was two-decked and carried four 6-pounder cannons located on each side of the lower deck.
Stevens sold Anne Galley to the Royal Navy on 22 June 1739 for £1,209 and a further £87 for ship's stores. On 3 July Anne Galley arrived at Deptford Dockyard for fitting out as a fire ship. Conversion to the role of fire ship involverd the construction of compartments in her hold for the storage of gunpowder and other combustible materials, and the cutting of a series of small chimneys into her deck to help ventilate fires set below. The eight lower deck gun ports had their hinges changed so they would fall open when their supporting ropes had burned through, further fanning any flames. Lastly, she received eight ½-pounder swivel guns along the upper deck railings for anti-personnel use.
Anne Galley was commissioned into the Navy in late July 1739 under Commander Richard Hughes. She was put to sea in August with a crew of 55 men, and assigned to Britain's Mediterranean fleet under the overall command of Vice-Admiral Nicholas Haddock. Britain was at war with Spain, and Anne Galley was sent to form part of the blockading squadron off the port of Cadiz. She saw no active service during the year, although Commander Hughes was promoted to the rank of post-captain in October. In 1741 she was with Haddock's fleet as it cruised between Cadiz and Toulon without engagement with the enemy at either port.
Haddock was replaced in February 1742 by Admiral , who determined to take a more aggressive position against the Spanish than had his predecessor. Command of Anne Galley also changed hands, passing to Commander Richard Hodsoll For the next few months Anne Galley was deployed as a messenger to convey Lestock's orders to the captains of his larger ships. She was also part of a small three-vessel squadron sent to the Bay of Ajaccio under Vice-Admiral Thomas Mathews to investigate reports that a single Spanish ship of the line was anchored there for repairs. On reaching the Bay the squadron, comprising Ipswich, Revenge and Anne Galley, encountered and overwhelmed the 70-gun Spanish warship Isidoro. The Spanish vessel was set on fire by her crew to avoid her being captured, and sank in the Bay. This battle was Anne Galley's only engagement under Hodsoll's command, as he was replaced shortly afterward by Commander James Mackie.
...
Wikipedia