HMS Rochester (1693)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Rochester.

HMS Rochester was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, and the fifth such ship to be ordered in 1692 (following the Falmouth, Portland, Anglesea, and Dartmouth). She was launched at Chatham Dockyard on 15 March 1693.

History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Rochester
Ordered	28 June 1692
Builder	Robert Lee, Chatham Dockyard
Launched	15 March 1693
Renamed	HMS Maidstone, 1744
Fate	Broken up, 1748
General characteristics as built
Class and type	50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	607 32⁄94 bm
Length	125 ft 5 in (38.2 m) (gundeck) 107 ft (32.6 m) (keel)
Beam	32 ft 8 in (10.0 m)
Depth of hold	13 ft 6 in (4.1 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	50 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1716 rebuild
Class and type	1706 Establishment 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	719 34⁄94 bm
Length	131 ft 3 in (40.0 m) (gundeck) 108 ft 7 in (33.1 m) (keel
Beam	35 ft 3.5 in (10.8 m)
Depth of hold	14 ft (4.3 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	50 guns: Gundeck: 22 × 18 pdrs Upper gundeck: 22 × 9 pdrs Quarterdeck: 4 × 6 pdrs Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs

She was docked on 30 July 1714 at Deptford Dockyard for rebuilding, and was rebuilt to the 1706 Establishment there and re-launched on 19 March 1716. On 27 September 1744 she was renamed HMS Maidstone, and converted for use as a hospital ship. The Maidstone was broken up at Woolwich Dockyard in 1748.

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 (1997), The 50-Gun Ship: A Complete History. Chatham Publishing (1st edition); Mercury Books (2nd edition 2005). ISBN 1-845600-09-6.
• Winfield, Rif (2009), British Warships in the Age of Sail 1603–1714: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Barnsley, UK; Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-040-6.