HMS Kent (1746)
| History | |
|---|---|
 Great Britain
|
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| Name: | HMS Kent |
| Ordered: | 10 May 1743 |
| Builder: | Deptford Dockyard |
| Launched: | 10 May 1746 |
| Honours and awards: |
Second battle of Cape Finisterre, 1747 |
| Fate: | Hulked, 1760 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | 1741 proposals 64-gun third rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen: | 1309 10⁄94 bm |
| Length: | 154 ft (46.9 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam: | 44 ft (13.4 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 18 ft 11 in (5.8 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Full rigged ship |
| Armament: |
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HMS Kent was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was ordered from Deptford Dockyard on 10 May 1743 to be built to the 1741 proposals of the 1719 Establishment, and was launched on 10 May 1746. Her first commander was Thomas Fox, who had previously commanded HMS Newcastle.
In April 1747 Kent was part of a small squadron under Fox's overall command consisting of HMS Hampton Court, HMS Eagle, HMS Lion, HMS Chester and HMS Hector, and accompanied by two fireships. They cruised between Ushant and Cape Finisterre in an attempt to intercept a large merchant fleet that was sailing from San Domingo to France. After a month at sea they encountered the convoy, which consisted of some 170 ships carrying a cargo of cochineal, cotton, indigo and other valuable commodities. Their escort was four French warships, which fled upon the approach of the British fleet. Fox's squadron captured 46 merchants, and dispersed the rest. Some were later captured by smaller British warships operating in the area.
After this success Kent became part of a squadron under Rear Admiral Hawke, which was dispatched to intercept another French convoy, this time en route to the West Indies. During this period, Captain Fox's service appears to have been called into question, as Hawke requested that a court-martial be brought against him. Fox was put on trial in Portsmouth on 25 November, which was presided over by Sir Peter Warren. Fox's charge was then read, stating that:
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