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BURFORD (70) 3rd rate Built in 1722, Deptford Dy.
Broken up in 1752.

  • 1729 Capt. Sir Chaloner OGLE.
    On 14 March 1729 the House of Commons resolved that ever since the Peace of Utrecht in 1713, British trade and navigation to and from the colonies in America had been greatly interrupted by continual deprivations of the Spaniards. Consequently a combined fleet of English and Dutch ships, including BURFORD, was ordered to be put in put in commission on 25 May, and on 30 June it assembled at Spithead under the command of Sir Charles WAGNER. One result of this armament was the Treaty of Seville, concluded on 9 November, which allied Great Britain, France, Spain and, later, Holland; although it did not resolve the question of Spanish depredations.
  • 1739 Capt. Thomas WATSON, promoted out of ANTELOPE, flagship of Vice Adm. VERNON.
    A small squadron of four 3rd. Rates, BURFORD, LENOX, ELIZABETH and KENT, and four 4th. Rates, sailed from Spithead for the West Indies on 23 July but was forced by contrary winds to remain in Portland roads until 1 August. Vice Adm. VERNON issued instructions to his captains that "In coming up with any Spanish ships or vessels, either by signal or chasing from the Admiral, or otherwise, to use their utmost endeavours to take, sink, burn, or otherwise destroy them." On 26 September 1739 he was joined at Port Royal by Commodore BROWN in HAMPTON COURT (70), and England declared war on Spain on 23 October. On 5 November VERNON's small squadron of six ships, BURFORD (70), HAMPTON COURT (70), STAFFORD (60), WORCESTER (60), PRINCESS LOUISA (60), and NORWICH (50), sailed for Porto Bello. Orders were left for DIAMOND, WINDSOR and ANGLESEA to follow. On board were 200 soldiers from the Governor of Jamaica under Capt. Newton and 2450 seamen. On the 7th. he instructed his captains in his plan of attack. HAMPTON COURT was to pass the Ferro castle at the north entrance within less than one cable, pouring in musketry and cannon fire. She was then to anchor as near as she could to the eastern side of the Gloria fort, with WORCESTER astern of her against the western bastion. NORWICH, after firing on the Ferro fort as she passed, was to make directly for the castle of St. Geronimo lying to the east of the town and batter it down. STAFFORD to the east and PRINCESS LOUISA to the west were to batter the Ferro fort until they were masters of it. Each ship was directed to have its long boat towed astern and the barge alongside to take the soldiers ashore when the Admiral decided. The fortifications were duly destroyed on 21 November, and Porto Bello captured.
  • On 18 March 1740 the House of Commons presented an address to his Majesty, congratulating him on VERNON's success and the City of London voted the admiral the freedom of the city in a gold box.
  • When Sir Challoner OGLE arrived in Jamaica with reinforcements, Ad. VERNON moved his flag to the PRINCESS CAROLINE and took Capt. WATSON with him. Capt. Thomas GRIFFIN moved from that ship to take command of BURFORD. After the failure of the attack on Cartagena, BURFORD returned to England with the convoy and squadron under Commodore LESTOCK and his next appointment was to CAPTAIN.
  • 1742 Capt. Franklin LUSHINGTON was appointed in July. BURFORD played a prominent part in the attack on La Guira and was almost completely disabled, having 24 killed and 50 wounded. The captain, having lost a leg by a chain-shot in the thigh, died within two hours of being landed at Curacao on 23 February 1743. He seems to have been a worthy man, at a subsequent court martial one of his officers was frequently overcome by grief when answering questions relating to him.
  • 1742 Capt. Edward SMITH. Some accounts say Capt. SMITH was promoted out of ELTHAM to BURFORD as a reward for his gallantry at La Guira. After re-fitting, both ships sailed from Curacao with Capt. KNOWLES on 15 March and were present in the attack on Porto Cavallo between 15th. and 28th. April. Capt. SMITH is said to have died at Antigua on 18 April, although this date is disputed.
  • 1744 Capt. John BENTLEY, 1 August.


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