HMS Winchelsea (1694)

HMS Winchelsea was a 48-gun fourth-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1694.

Construction and Specifications:

Winchelsea was built at Rotherhithe by John and Thomas Betts, being launched on 25 July 1694. Her dimensions included a length of gun deck of 126 ft 0 in (38.4 m) and a beam of 32 ft 8 in (10.0 m). She had a tonnage of 529 53⁄94 tons burthen. As a fourth-rate ship, she carried a complement of approximately 240 men. Her armament typically consisted of 20 guns on the lower gun deck (likely 24-pounders), 20 guns on the upper gun deck (likely 9-pounders), and a number of smaller guns on the quarterdeck and forecastle (typically 6-pounders).

Service History:

Details of Winchelsea's early service are somewhat sparse. Fourth-rate ships like Winchelsea were often employed in escort duties, patrols, and convoy protection. They were smaller and less expensive to operate than larger first- and second-rate ships, making them useful for a wider range of tasks.

Fate:

Winchelsea was wrecked in 1695. Specific details of the wreck, including the exact location and circumstances, are currently unavailable from commonly accessible naval histories. Further research would be needed to determine the precise cause and location of the wreck.