HMS Manannan

Overview
Rating: 4th rate

Class: Macedon-class fourth-rate Ship of the Line

Launched: May 3rd, 1720

Shipyard: Quilliam's Yard

Relaunched: August 11th, 1721

Shipyard: McAvoy Yard

Status: In active service

Armament
Total Guns: 58

Topdeck: 14 x 7lbs

Upper Gundeck: 18 x 11lbs

Gundeck: 22 x 22lbs

Bow Chasers: 2 x 12lbs

Stern Chasers: 2 x 18lbs

Broadside Weight: 390lbs

Crew: 500



Commanders
Current Captain: Captain Collister since May 3rd, 1720

Previous Captains:

-

Notable Actions
March 3rd, 1721: Formed part of a six ship fleet under the command of Earl Berett and engaged six pirate vessels, of the Loose Cannons society, off Turtling Bay. Succeeded in sinking one of the pirate vessels; the other five escaped.

Ship History
The Manannan was launched in May, 1720, from Quilliam's Yard and was given to Captain Collister. She is a fourth rate ship of the line carrying 58 guns and a crew of 500. The Alexander class was a somewhat old-fashioned design already the day the Manannan was launched, with her sloping quarter deck and remarkable height. However, this only served to charm Captain Collister, as this "historical" apperance resembled the original design of the Assistance (upon which he served as midshipman), before she was rebuilt in the late 17th century.

She was the heaviest vessel Captain Collister had ever commanded the day he was given her, and he felt it extremely. The difference between commanding a Ship of the Line and a frigate, even a bulky fifth-rate such as the Colossus was immense. The slightest mistake in setting course or sail trimming is punished in a much more severe manner than that of frigates. Thanks to his time spent aboard the Assistance and Canterbury (both ships of similar size) he had already learned a few ways of dealing with a ship of such great bulk.

Captain Collister soon became used to her ways, and the ways of lineships in general, and has successfully commanded the Manannan in a battle against Spain and a fleet action against pirates off Turtling Bay. As Collister moved on to other and heavier commands, such as the HMS Hope and Glory, the Manannan quickly became obsolete. Her lumbersome ways were no longer useful in the modern port battle and Captain Collister chose to finance her rebuilding to the newer Macedon class.

On July 1st she was laid up in drydock at the McAvoy Yard and relaunched a little over a month later, on August 11th, in her current form. The day after her launching she was requested and required to form part of the British fleets defending Nassau and taking Port-of-Spain. She served in both battles admirably, sustaining heavy damage in the former however, and survived both. She is once again a suitable ship for major fleet engagements and will partake in many more in the future.