HMS Conqueror

HMS Conqueror
Rating: 4th rate

Class: Macedon Hunter-class fourth-rate ship of the line

Date of Commission: October 1st, 1721

Captain: Jack Naseby

Guns: 64

Crew: 500

Status: On Active Duty

History: HMS Conqueror was commissioned as a 54-gun hunting fourth-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Oscar Barnett at Barnett Shipyards and launched in 1721. She engaged in combat on her maiden voyage, assisting a British captain who had been ambushed. During this action she sunk one pirate and badly damaged two other. However she received extensive damage herself and was laid up at Port Royal for repairs for two weeks.

Her auspicious beginning laid the foundations for a seasoned and tenacious combat vessel. Within three months since her launch, HMS Conqueror had engaged in another five engagements on the open sea, took part in at least fifteen enemy port contentions, as well distinguished itself in twelve port battles with a record of ten victories and two losses.

In late December of 1721, she engaged a squadron of six Spaniards along with three other British captains off Cartagena. HMS Conqueror fought valiantly, delivering the coup-de-grace to one of the Spaniards. However, she suffered severe damage during this engagement and had to return to Port Royal for a near total rebuild. Within two weeks she was once again afloat, taking part in two subsequent port battles.

She underwent further repairs at Plymouth in the winter of 1721-1722 and was again posted to the Caribbean. She arrived at Port Royal on February 2nd of 1722. Within a matter of days she was once again taking the fight to the King's enemies. On the 4th of February, she participated in the Battle of Riding Rocks, in which a British fleet attempted to defend the port from a Spanish assault. HMS Conqueror distinguished itself in battle but was separated from the British van and suffered critical damage, forcing her to leave the battle, which ended in a British victory. The following day HMS Conqueror took part in the defense of Jaqueme. Though a near total failure for the British, HMS Conqueror managed to sink two enemy vessels. Not deterred by this, HMS Conqueror was engaged in battle once more at the Battle of Maracaibo, a resounding victory for the British, and a banner day for the St. George Squadron of the White.

After joining Saint George Squadron, she engaged in a two month campaign. Participating in ten port battles, sinking eight enemy vessels and receiving critical damage in three occasions. The battle worn warship has been put into dry dock at Port Royal on March 9th and is undergoing repairs are re-victualing. The repairs were finished by the 24th of the same month, and within hours the warship reported for duty with the British fleet assaulting Cabo Raphael. Her Captain expressed great joy at how the shipwrights has made her much more maneuverable while still retaining her speed, strong armor, and firepower.

Notable action
Port Battle History