HMS Child's Play (1706)

HMS Child's Play was a small Royal Navy vessel, specifically a yacht, launched in 1706. Its primary function was likely ceremonial and for the transportation of important personages within coastal waters and rivers. Yachts of this period were not warships in the traditional sense, but rather served a purpose akin to modern VIP transport, though considerably more luxurious than standard naval vessels. Details about the Child's Play's dimensions, armament (if any), and specific service history are scant and often lacking in primary historical sources. It would have been a comparatively lightly built and ornately decorated vessel, befitting its intended role in conveying dignitaries and royalty. The origin of its unusual name is unknown but suggests a playful or perhaps even slightly satirical intent on the part of those who named it. Yachts were often given evocative or whimsical names, differentiating them from the more utilitarian names assigned to warships. Further research into admiralty records and period documentation might yield additional specifics about this vessel.