HMS Enterprise (sometimes spelled Enterprize) was a 24-gun sixth-rate (named Enterprise[1] or L'Entreprenante[2]) of the French Navy captured by HMS Triton (also spelt as Tryton[3]) on 7 May 1705.[4] She was registered as a Royal Navy ship on 1 June 1705 and commissioned shortly afterwards. She served in the Mediterranean and with Admiral Byng's squadron at the Downs. She was wrecked in 1707 with the loss of all hands.[5]

History
France
NameL'Entreprise
Commissioned1705
CapturedBy Royal Navy, 7 May 1705
Great Britain
NameHMS Enterprise
Acquired1 June 1705
Commissioned1705
In service1705–1707
FateWrecked off Thornton, Lancashire, 12 October 1707
General characteristics
Class and type24-gun sixth rate
Tons burthen320 7594 (bm)
Length
  • 93 ft 0 in (28.3 m) gundeck
  • 79 ft 9 in (24.3 m) keel for tonnage
Beam27 ft 6 in (8.4 m) for tonnage
Depth of hold11 ft 5 in (3.5 m)
Sail planFull-rigged ship
Complement115
Armament
  • 20 × 6-pdr guns on wooden trucks
  • 4 × 4-pdr guns on wooden trucks

She was the first vessel in the Royal Navy to be named Enterprise.[6]

Specifications

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She was captured on 2 May and registered as a Royal Naval vessel on 1 June 1705. Her gundeck was 93 feet 0 inches (28.3 metres) with her keel for tonnage calculation of 79 feet 9 inches (24.3 metres). Her breadth for tonnage was 27 feet 6 inches (8.4 metres). Her tonnage calculation was 320+7594 tons. Her armament was twenty 6-pounders on the upper deck and four 4-pounders on the quarterdeck, all on wooden trucks.[7]

Commissioned service

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She was commissioned in 1705 under the command of Commander John Paul, RN for service in the Mediterranean then was assigned to Admiral Byng's squadron for the winter of 1706/07 in the Downs. On 17 May 1707 Commander William Davenport assumed command.[8][9]

Loss

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She was wrecked off Thornton, Lancashire, (near Blackpool) with the loss of all hands on 12 October 1707.[10]

Citations

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  1. ^ Lyon
  2. ^ Winfield
  3. ^ Colledge, Tryton
  4. ^ Lyon
  5. ^ Winfield
  6. ^ Colledge
  7. ^ Winfield
  8. ^ Lyon
  9. ^ Winfield
  10. ^ Winfield

References

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  • Winfield, British Warships in the Age of Sail (1603–1714), by Rif Winfield, published by Seaforth Publishing, England © 2009, EPUB ISBN 9781783469246, Chapter 6, The Sixth Rates, Vessels acquired from 18 December 1688, Sixth Rates of 20 guns and up to 26 guns, Ex-French Prizes (1704–09), Enterprise
  • Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, by J.J. Colledge, revised and updated by Lt Cdr Ben Warlow and Steve Bush, published by Seaforth Publishing, Barnsley, Great Britain, © 2020, e ISBN 978-1-5267-9328-7 (EPUB), Section E (Enterprise)
  • Lyon, The Sailing Navy List: All the Ships of the Royal Navy, Built, Purchased and Captured, 1688–1860, by David Lyon, published by Conway Maritime Press, 1993, ISBN 978-0-85177-617-0, Enterprise, page 192