HMS Unicorn (1634)
| History | |
|---|---|
 England
|
|
| Name: | HMS Unicorn |
| Builder: | Boate, Woolwich |
| Launched: | 1634 |
| Fate: | Sold, 1688 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | 46-gun second rank ship of the line |
| Tons burthen: | 823 |
| Length: | 107 ft (33 m) (keel) |
| Beam: | 36 ft 4 in (11.07 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 15 ft 1 in (4.60 m) |
| Sail plan: | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament: | 46 guns (at launch); 56 guns (1660) |
HMS Unicorn was a 46-gun second-rank ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, launched at Woolwich in 1634.
On 14 April 1634, shortly after the Unicorn was launched, her first captain, Sir John Penington, was knighted on her deck by King Charles I. On 8 May 1634 aboard the Unicorn in The Downs, Sir John in a letter to the Admiralty (State Papers, Charles I, 1–15 May 1634) wrote that the Unicorn was "tender sided" and "walty" and in her current state "could hold no sail" and as such, was not serviceable. He further states that this opinion was also held by all of his officers, as well as the builder Mr. Boate, who was also aboard. In defence of the builder, he says in all other respects the Unicorn handles "as well as any other ship he has put his foot in" and she "only wants two or three more foot of breadth". He goes on to state, that "the builder says that it is not his fault, for the dimensions were given to him, and he made her 20 inches broader than he had order." In the Admiralty's reply, dated 14 May, to his letter of the 8th, Sir John was instructed to bring the Unicorn into Gillingham, transfer all of his men and supplies into the Charles, which was promised to be ready by the 24th. As Sir John had recommended, the Unicorn would be "furred" (made broader) so that she would be serviceable as a Man-of-War.
In 1636, former pirate Sir Henry Mainwaring was placed in command of the Unicorn. The ship's initial armament comprised 16 demi-cannon, 11 demi-culverin, 26 culverin, and 10 sakers. When she underwent a refit in 1677, her armament was upgraded to 22 demi-cannon on the lower gun deck, 22 demi-culverin on the middle gun deck, 14 sakers on the upper gun deck, and 6 sakers on the quarterdeck. Originally comprising 250 men in 1636, Unicorn's crew increased to 300 in 1653, and 410 in 1666.
...
Wikipedia