HMS Nonsuch (1603)
| Career (England) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | Philip and Mary |
| Renamed: |
Nonpareil in 1584 Nonsuch in 1605 |
| Fate: | Sold, c. 1645 |
| General characteristics as built | |
| Class and type: | Galleon |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| General characteristics after 1603-05 rebuild[1] | |
| Class and type: | 32-gun Great ship |
| Tons burthen: | 636 tons (646.2 tonnes) |
| Length: | 88 ft (27 m) (keel) |
| Beam: | 34 ft (10 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Full rigged ship |
| Complement: | 250 (1633) |
| Armament: | 32 carriage guns of various weights of shot, plus 6 smaller weapons |
The Philip and Mary was a galleon of the English Navy, built in 1555-56. She was renamed twice during her career — firstly in 1584 to Nonpareil when she was rebuilt at Deptford in 1584, and secondly as Nonsuch when she was again rebuilt from 1603 to 1605. As all this was before 1660, the use of the prefix "HMS" is incorrect, as this was not used in the English Navy at that time.
Following her first rebuilding, she was mentioned in the Paris archives as part of Elizabeth I's fleet in 1588 in 'A Statement of the two fleets possessed by the Queen of England, with numbers and names of the ships'listed as '400 tons, 17 pieces each side, four pieces at the prow and the same at the stern. Her complement was 250 comprising 150 mariners, 30 gunners and 70 soldiers. The ship was under the command of Drake in 1588 - 'Drake has also six large ships of the Queen's, namely :—the Revenge, the Hope, the Nonpareil, the Swiftsure, the Aid and the Advice, with 45 of the best merchant ships they could select, at the Isle of Wight.'
On Feb. 14th 1591 a 'Warrant to pay to Sir John Hawkins 1,566l. 13s. 4d. disbursed in setting forth the Nonpareil'.
In 1603-05 she was rebuilt a second time as a great ship, and renamed to Nonsuch. Now of 454 tons, she carried 32 primary guns (2 cannon periers, 12 culverins, 12 demi-culverins and 6 sakers) and 6 smaller and more anti-personnel weapons (2 falconets and 4 fowlers).[1]
She was sold out of the navy in late 1645.[1]
Notes
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.
- Winfield, Rif (2009) British Warships in the Age of Sail 1603-1714: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-040-6.
- http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=87181&strquery=nonpareil
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