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COVENTRY
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(48) |
4th rate
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Built in 1695, Deptford.
Captured in 1704.
Re-captured and Broken up in 1709. |
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- 1698 Capt. George DELAVAL, Mediterranean. With Capt. MUNDEN in WINCHESTER he cruised with a small force against the Salletine pirates. 1698 Capt. George SMITH, appointed 21 November. 1699 Capt. Robert BOCKENHAM, appointed 6 May and removed to CHATHAM (50), on 26 December 1701.
- 1704 Capt. Henry LAWRENCE. On 24 July he was captured by the French squadron under Du Guay GUERIN, and his conduct being deemed improper he was sentenced by a court martial held on 24 July 1705 to be dismissed the service and mulcted of all his pay. He died in Greenwich Hospital on 10 January 1737.
- COVENTRY was recaptured by Capt Stephen HUTCHINS in PORTLAND (50). On 1 May 1704 he received intelligence from a canoe that he had left to observe the COVENTRY and MIGON near Puerto Bello, that they had sailed the previous evening and he immediately went in chase of them. On the 3rd., about eight in the morning, the enemy were discovered from the masthead, and by noon, were visible from the deck. The French ships were to windward and confident of their superiority, bore down and, as they passed fired a few shots, but at too great a distance to do any damage. The enemy wore round, but maintained their distance. Capt. HUTCHINS kept sight of them all night, trying to get more to windward and near them. Between seven and eight on the morning of the 4th. he got within pistol shot of the MIGNON and began to engage her. After some time the COVENTRY got on his lee-bow and began a brisk fire with her guns pointed high with the intention of dismasting the PORTLAND, happily without effect. He redoubled his fire on the MIGNON, but a shot from COVENTRY carried away his main top sail yard.
- About three the next morning HUTCHINS discovered that boats were passing and re-passing between the two enemy ships, and concluded that the MIGNON had been so badly damaged that it was necessary to shift the most valuable part of the cargo on board the COVENTRY. Light winds prevented him from doing anything until the morning of the 6th. when he continued to cannonade COVENTRY until her main-mast went by the board and at near one o'clock she surrendered. Her first captain was killed and the second wounded, about 70 were killed in both ships. The PORTLAND was occupied in securing the COVENTRY to pay attention to the MIGNON, which contrived her escape. Capt. HUTCHINS did not long survive, dying at Jamaica on 24th. August.
- 1709 Capt. George PURVIS, appointed 22 May, on 24 September following he was advanced to the PORTLAND. 1709 Capt. Thomas REYNOLDS, appointed 21 September.
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