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Subject: Re: [Mar] ship histories Royal Navy
Date: Sun, 3 Nov 2002 03:33:08 EST

Helen

To get a detailed history of the movements etc. of a Royal Navy ship in the
18th century, then the ship's journal (log) kept by the commanding officer is
the primary source (in the P.R.O. ADM.53 series).

Otherwise, there are contemporary sources such as Beatson or Schomberg who
reproduce lists of ships in commission at various points etc. From the
1780's Navy Lists are available.

If it is the PORTLAND you are interested in: a 50 gun ship, 1044 tons, 146'
x 40';
built at Sheerness, launched 11 April 1770.
In the mid-1770's she was in the Leeward Islands; commissioned 23 January
1775 by Captain Thomas Dumaresq, she carried the flag of Vice Admiral Young,
senior officer on that station; she remained in the West Indies until 1778.
In 1779 commanded by Anthony Hunt she was on the Newfoundland station,
carrying the flag of Admiral Edwards; Captain Thomas Lloyd took over command
in 1780.

Extracts from her journal for 1775-77 in the West Indies have been published
as part of the 'Naval Documents of the American Revolution' series.

David

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