Monmouth (64)
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Origin and History
The ship was rebuilt at Deptford by Joseph Allin and launched on September 6 1742.
During the War of the Austrian Succession, the ship fought at Finisterre and Ushant in 1747.
During the Seven Years' War, the ship was under the command of:
- from 1757 to March 1 1758: captain Arthur Gardiner (died of his wounds at the engagement of Cape de Gata)
- in June 1759: captain Augustus John Hervey
The ship was broken up on August 28 1767.
Service during the War
At the beginning of 1758, a British squadron of 11 ships of the line and 9 frigates operated in the Mediterranean under the command of admiral Henry Osborn. This squadron intercepted a smaller French squadron which had sailed from Toulon for North America, forcing it to take refuge in the harbour of Cartagena. In February, the French sent a relief squadron (only 5 ships of the line and a frigate) under M. Duquesne. On February 28, Osborn off Cape de Gata, Osborn sighted these 4 sail near his fleet and ordered them to be chased while the main part of the British squadron continued off Carthagena to watch the French ships there. The Monmouth, along with the Swiftsure (70) and the Hampton Court (70) chased the largest of the enemy, the Foudroyant (80). The Monmouth, being far ahead of her consorts, got up with and engaged the French ship at 8:00 PM and fought her gallantly. When Gardiner fell, his place was taken by lieutenant Robert Carkett till 12.30 A.M., when the Frenchman's guns were reduced to silence. Not until then was the Swiftsure able to get up. Her captain then hailed the foe to know whether she had surrendered but was answered with a few guns and a volley of small arms, whereupon he poured in a broadside and part of a second, and the enemy promptly surrendered. She had 100 killed and 90 wounded, while the Monmouth lost only 28 killed and 79 wounded. It was a magnificently conducted action, and lieutenant Carkett was deservedly rewarded with the command of the prize.
In June 1759, the ship was part of the fleet of admiral sir Edward Hawke who blockaded the French fleet in Brest. Hawke cruised some leagues at sea, leaving an inshore squadron of his lighter ships, under captain Augustus John Hervey, of the Monmouth (64), close off the port. In October the ship, which had become very leaky, quitted Hawke's fleet which was still blockading Brest and returned to England.
In 1761, the ship took part to the expedition against Belle-Isle.
To do: campaigns from 1760 to 1762
Characteristics
| Guns | 70 (after rebuilding)
| ||||||||
| Crew | 470 | ||||||||
| Length at gundeck | 151 ft (46 m) | ||||||||
| Width | 43 ft 5 in (13.2 m) | ||||||||
| Depth | 17 ft 9 in (5.4 m) | ||||||||
| Displacement | 1225 tons (1244.7 tonnes) |
References
Clowes, Wm. Laird, The Royal Navy – A History from the Earliest Time to the Present, Vol. III, Sampson Low, Marston and Company, London: 1898, pp. 189-190
Phillips, M., Michael Phillip's Ships of the Old Navy
- "HMS Monmouth (1742)"
N.B.: the section Service during the War is mostly derived from our articles depicting the various campaigns, battles and sieges.
