British Sixth Rate frigate 'Unicorn' (1748)

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Unicorn

7243
Nominal Guns24BWAS-1714
NationalityGreat Britain
OperatorRoyal Navy
Ordered29.4.1747BWAS-1714
Keel Laid Down3.7.1747BWAS-1714
Named29.5.1747BWAS-1714
Launched7.12.1748BWAS-1714
First Commissioned21.3.1748/49BWAS-1714
How acquiredPurpose builtBWAS-1714
ShipyardPlymouth Dockyard - Plymouth BWAS-1714
ConstructorBenjamin Slade (d.1750)BWAS-1714
CategorySixth RateBWAS-1714
Ship TypeFrigate BWAS-1714
Sailing RigShip RiggedBWAS-1714
Broken Up9.12.1771BWAS-1714

Dimensions


DimensionMeasurementTypeMetric EquivalentBWAS-1714
Length of Gundeck117' 10"Imperial Feet35.6616 
Length of Keel96' 5 ½"Imperial Feet29.2735 
Breadth33' 8"Imperial Feet10.1261 
Depth in Hold10' 2"Imperial Feet3.0988 
Burthen581 50⁄94Tons BM 

Armament


3.1748/49Broadside Weight = 108 Imperial Pound ( 48.978 kg)BWAS-1714
Upper Gun Deck24 British 9-Pounder

22.9.1756Broadside Weight = 114 Imperial Pound ( 51.699 kg)BWAS-1714
Upper Gun Deck24 British 9-Pounder
Quarterdeck4 British 3-Pounder

Crew Complement


Date# of MenNotesSource
29.4.1747160Design Complement
22.9.1756180 BWAS-1714
11.11.1756200 BWAS-1714

9 Commanding Officers


DatesRankNameSource
21.3.1748/49 - 22.6.1752CaptainMolyneaux Shuldham (1717-1798) ADM 6/17/450BWAS-171410.1.1753 - 10.1.1756CaptainMathew Buckle (1716-1784) ADM 6/18/52BWAS-17146.2.1756 - 24.9.1756CaptainJames Galbraith (c.1717-1782) ADM 6/18/232BWAS-171424.9.1756 - 2.5.1757CaptainJohn Rawling (c.1730-1757)† ADM 6/18/311BWAS-171418.5.1757 - 21.11.1760CaptainThomas Graves (1725-1802) ADM 6/18/400BWAS-171421.11.1760 - 8.1.1761CaptainJoseph Hunt (c.1733-1761)†TRN319.5.1761 - 22.6.1763CaptainCharles Fielding (1738-1783) ADM 6/19/316BWAS-171420.6.1765 - 10.1.1771CaptainBonovier Glover (d.1780) ADM 6/20/78ADM 6/2010.1.1771 - 15.11.1771CaptainJames Wallace (c.1732-1803) ADM 6/20/333ADM 6/20

1 Warrant Officer


DatesRatingNameSource
25.9.1753 - 22.3.1754PurserSt Alban Roy (c.1731-1796) ADM 107/5/126ADM 107/5

1 Petty Officer


DatesRatingNameSource
1.11.1755 - 3.12.1755Acting LieutenantMichael Clements (1735-1797) ADM 107/4/333ADM 107/4

Service History


DateEventSource
7.12.1748building at Plymouth Dockyard - Plymouth at a cost of £9844.5.5dBWAS-1714
1.1749Began fitting at Plymouth Dockyard - Plymouth BWAS-1714
17.7.1749Completed fitting at Plymouth Dockyard - Plymouth BWAS-1714
1750In the MediterraneanBWAS-1714
1751In the MediterraneanBWAS-1714
22.6.1752

Paid off

BWAS-1714
10.1752Began repairs at Deptford Dockyard - Deptford BWAS-1714
1.1753RecommissionedBWAS-1714
2.1753Completed repairs at Deptford Dockyard - Deptford at a cost of £3542.15.6dBWAS-1714
4.1753Sailed for the MediterraneanBWAS-1714
30.8.1756Took the Privateer Le Mesnil Montant (24)
22.9.1756Refitted as a 28 gun Sixth Rate Frigate
2.5.1757Unicorn vs Invincible
2.5.1757Took the Privateer L'Invincible (24) BG
10.5.1757Took the Snow La Comtesse de Noailles (18) BG
2.11.1757Unicorn vs Hermione
2.11.1757Took the Frigate L'Hermione (28)
23.11.1757Took the Demi-Batterie L'Abénaquise (38)
21.9.1758Took the Snow Le Duc d'Harcourt (8) off the Isle of BasBG
14.2.1759Took the Privateer Le Moras (22) BG
3.7.1759Bombardment of Le Havre
8.1.1761Unicorn vs Vestale
3.1761Expedition to Belle IsleBWAS-1714
7.3.1761Took the Privateer Le Maréchal de Broglie
29.3.1761Expedition against Belle-Isle
22.6.1763

Paid off

BWAS-1714
20.10.1763SurveyedBWAS-1714
19.3.1770SurveyedBWAS-1714
12.11.1771SurveyedBWAS-1714
9.12.1771Break up completed at SheernessBWAS-1714

 
Previous comments on this page

Posted by Cy on Saturday 25th of April 2020 21:20

Michael Clements was First Lieutenant on those dates so is certainly possible

Posted by regis on Saturday 25th of April 2020 16:06

Lieutenant Clements , acting Commander ??? from the 02/05/1757 to the 15/05/1757

Posted by Tim Oakley on Saturday 21st of December 2019 12:39

According to Wikapedia Lieutenant John Symons took command on the death of Captain Joseph Hunt, 8/1/1761

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