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EDGAR
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(70) |
3rd rate
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Built in 1668, Bristol.
Burnt in accidental fire in 1711. |
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- 1700 rebuilt Portsmouth
- 1711 Capt. George PADDON, flagship of Rear Adm. Sir Hovenden WALKER who was entrusted with the fleet employed in an expedition against French settlements in Canada. They were accompanied by 33 transports having on board more than 5000 men under the command of brigadier Hill. They arrived in New England on 24th. June. They did not leave Boston until 30th. July when, with the only pilots protesting their ignorance of the St. Lawrence, they sailed for Quebec. On the 18th. August strong winds forced them to anchor off Gaspe bay. From now on the weather varied between thick fog and gales which drove eight transports ashore with the loss of 884 officers and men out of more than 1400. Leaving the LEOPARD with some sloops and brigantines to rescue any men from the shore, the Rear Adm. abandoned the expedition and returned to England, arriving at St. Helen's on 9th. October, On the 15th. the EDGAR was accidentally burnt and blew up at Spithead, WALKER and PADDEN were ashore but all the admiral's papers were lost.
- Letter from Portsmouth dated 2nd June 1755.
- "About Forty-four Years ago the Edgar Man of War, of 74 guns, was blown up at Spithead, and about 800 men perished in her. Immediately after that Accident an Anchor was dropped on the Spot, and a red Buoy (called the Bloody Buoy) fixed to it, to prevent any Ship dropping Anchor in the Wreck. The Chain which holds this Anchor is generally taken up and examined once in six or eight Weeks; in taking it up on Saturday last, there came up with it one of the Edgar's Guns, having been entangled in the Chain of the Buoy. It had a Twelve Pounder, one of the upper Deck. It was found with the Breech down in the Mud or Clay down to the Trunnions, standing in a perpendicular Manner. The Tomkin was in the Gun, and it was loaded. That Part which lay in the Clay is entirely well preserved, from the other Part a few thin scales came off."
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