HMS Vanguard

HMS Vanguard
Rating: Second Rate

Class: Trinity

Date of Commission: June 13th 1721

Date of second Commission: December 10th 1721

Current captain: Ryan Iredale

Guns: 92

Crew: 600

Status: Active service

Overview
HMS Vanguard is a 92-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy re-built at Turtling Bay Dockyard and re-launched in 1721. The ship has a long and storied history: she was originally constructed at Portsmouth Dockyard in 1678 and fought a notable action at the Battle of Barfleur under Admiral Russell in 1692.

During the Great Storm of 1703 that devastated southern England, the Vanguard was one of several ships sunk, being laid up in reserve in Chatham at the time. Rebuilding work began almost immediately, according to the 1706 Establishment, and she finally re-launched in 1710.

Following another decade of service, the Vanguard was assigned to the West Indies Station in 1720, and upon arrival laid up in Turtling Bay Dockyard for a major refit to upgrade her to the specifications of the new 1719 Establishment. This year-long project under the supervision of Surveyor Rear-Admiral Mark Jones saw her dimensions rebuilt almost from the keel up to match the draft and gun decks of the popular and successful Trinity-class, in turn based upon the Danish second rate Christianus Sextus.

In early summer 1721 the Vanguard was finally re-commissioned under the colours of the St. George Squadron of the White, and her command given to Captain Sir Robert Middlemore following his successful record as a frigate captain aboard HMS Fearless during her many fleet actions in battle (although his brief time with the third rate HMS Warrior was notably less distinguished).

After a wreking, a new ship of same class and name was commissioned under the command of Ryan Iredale in the december the year of our Lord 1721. May it serve him well.