HMS Rochester (1693)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Rochester.

HMS Rochester was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Chatham Dockyard in 1693.^[1]

History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Rochester
Builder	Lee, Chatham Dockyard
Launched	1693
Renamed	HMS Maidstone, 1716
Fate	Broken up, 1748
General characteristics as built^[1]
Class and type	50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	607 bm
Length	125 ft 5 in (38.2 m) (gundeck)
Beam	32 ft 8 in (10.0 m)
Depth of hold	13 ft 6 in (4.1 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	50 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1716 rebuild^[2]
Class and type	1706 Establishment 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	756 bm
Length	130 ft (39.6 m) (gundeck)
Beam	35 ft (10.7 m)
Depth of hold	14 ft (4.3 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	50 guns: Gundeck: 22 × 18 pdrs Upper gundeck: 22 × 9 pdrs Quarterdeck: 4 × 6 pdrs Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs

She was rebuilt to the 1706 Establishment at Deptford Dockyard, and was relaunched on 19 March 1716. In 1744 she was renamed HMS Maidstone, and converted for use as a hospital ship. Maidstone was broken up in 1748.^[2]

Notes

1. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p164.
2. Lavery, Ships of the Line vol.1, p168.

References

• Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.