HMS Canterbury

Overview
Rating: 4th rate

Class: Fourth-rate Ship of the Line

Shipyard: Deptford DY

Launched: December 18th, 1693

Status: Broken up November 19th, 1720, and currently being rebuilt according to the 1719 establishment

Armament
Total Guns: 60

Topdeck: 10 x 6lbs

Upper Gundeck: 26 x 9lbs

Gundeck: 24 x 24lbs

Broadside Weight: 426lbs

Crew: 500

Dimensions
Gundeck Length: 144' 9" or 44.1 m

Breadth: 38' 1.5" or 11.6 m

Depth in Hold: 15' 7" or 4.7 m

Commanders
Current Captain: -

Previous Captains:

January 1st, 1718 - April, 27th 1720: Captain George Walton

June 4th, 1703 - September 12th, 1710: Captain George Walton

Notable Actions
August 11th, 1718: Took part in the victorious Battle of Cape Passaro against the Spanish.

Ship History
The Canterbury was launched in December, 1693. She was a sizeable fourth-rate carrying 60 guns. In June, 1703, she was given to Captain George Walton who was to spend the first seven of what would ultimately become 9 and a half years commanding her. In 1703 she was stationed in the Caribbean but was withdrawn to Europe in 1704 and was stationed in the Mediterranean for the next sixteen years.

It was not until Captain George Walton returned to the quarterdeck of the Canterbury in 1718 (after having served elsewhere since 1710 as amongst other things Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth) that the Canterbury was to distinguish herself. It is worth mentioning that when Captain Walton received command of the Canterbury the second time he did so with Will Collister as his 3rd lieutenant. Later that year, she formed part of the fleet under Admiral George Byng at the triumphant Battle of Cape Passaro.

The British and Spanish fleets sighted each other on August 11th, 1718. The Spanish fleet split in two with their frigates and some lineships sailing for the coast and the bulk of the fleet holding position. Captain Walton was sent with five other ships in chase of the enemy's fleeing ships. The Canterbury led the chase and Captain Walton's squadron succeeded in capturing several of the Spanish ships including Real Mazi of sixty guns and Aguila de Nantes, 36. The action took its toll however, and with several officers killed and many others wounded, Captain Walton saw fit to entrust the Aguila to his 3rd Lieutenant; Will Collister. Meanwhile, the battle itself saw the complete defeat of the Spaniards; of their total 45 ships (including the squadron that made for the coast) they lost 23 as prizes to the British (again including those taken by Captain Walton's division) seven of which were burnt.

After sailing to Port Mahon with all her prizes the Canterbury resumed her station and served for another year and half before being broken up in Portsmouth for a rebuild.