HMS Russell

Overview
Rating: 3rd rate

Class: 1706 Establishment third-rate Ship of the Line

Shipyard: Deptford DY

Launched: June 3rd, 1692

Status: Serving in Europe

Armament
Total Guns: 80

Topdeck: 4 x 6lbs

Gundeck: 26 x 32lbs

Middle Gundeck: 26 x 12lbs

Upper Gundeck: 24 x 6lbs

Broadside Weight: 656lbs

Crew: 650

Dimensions
Gundeck Length: 155' 6" or 47.4 m

Breadth: 41' 6" or 12.6 m

Depth in Hold: 17' 4" or 5.3 m

Commanders
Current Captain: Captain David Lambert

Previous Captains: -

Ship History
HMS Russell was launched in 1692 as a third rate Ship of the Line, mounting her 80 guns on two decks. She served for 15 years until being laid up in drydock in september, 1707. She was rebuilt according to the 1706 establishment and was relaunched March 16, 1709. In her new design she mounted her guns on three decks, but remained classified as a third-rate.

In February, 1710, she arrived in London to victual, and a few days before setting sail again the next month took aboard a young Will Collister as a seaman. She spent several years in the Mediterranean, though Collister only stayed aboard her for three of them, during which he advanced to the rating midshipman. After the peace of Utrecht Collister was transferred to the Assistance. Collister later in life looks back fondly on his time aboard the Russell, a ship of comparable size to his own most grand command; the Hope and Glory.

The Russell has remained in service to this day, though she has not taken part in any major battle or engagement.