HMS Crusader

Overview
Rating: 5th rate

Class: Conquistador-class fifth-rate frigate

Shipyard: Guayaquil

Launched: November 14th, 1718

Previous names: Cabellero in the Spanish Navy

Status: Laid up in drydock

Armament
Total Guns: 40

Topdeck: 8 x 8lbs

Gundeck: 28 x 14lbs

Stern Chasers: 4 x 16lbs

Broadside Weight: 228lbs

Crew: 350

Commanders
Current Captain: -

Previous Captains:

April, 1720 - May 10th, 1721: Captain Collister

November 14th, 1718 - March, 1720: ?

Ship History
The Crusader was built by Spain at Guayaquil shipyard. It was launched November 14th, 1718, as the Caballero and served Spain for its first 16 months under a Spanish privateer. With a large gundeck and only a few topdeck cannons the Crusader is a relatively heavy fifth rate. However, she is a slow and lumbering creature and hardly the quick and nimble fifth rate designed for single ship combats. Consequently, she was put up into drydock in Havana. However, she only remained there for a month before James Lupus happened upon the vessel.

Mr. Lupus managed to purchase the ship for a negligable sum and ordered her taken to Port Royal. She was handed over to the Admiralty for another negligable (though slightly less negligable) sum, and was given to Captain Collister. Collister commanded her for a little over a year, using her mainly for routine patrols of Orelans until she was laid up in drydock in May, 1721, when Collister received the Hope and Glory.