HMS Grafton (1709)

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

History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Grafton
Builder	Swallow and Fowler, Limehouse
Launched	9 August 1709
Fate	Broken up, 1744
Notes	Participated in: Battle of Cape Passaro
General characteristics as built
Class and type	1706 Establishment 70-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	1,095
Length	150 ft (45.7 m) (gundeck)
Beam	41 ft (12.5 m)
Depth of hold	17 ft 4 in (5.3 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full rigged ship
Armament	70 guns: Gundeck: 26 × 24 pdrs Upper gundeck: 26 × 12 pdrs Quarterdeck: 14 × 6 pdrs Forecastle: 4 × 6 pdrs
General characteristics after 1722 rebuild
Class and type	1719 Establishment 70-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	1,133
Length	151 ft (46.0 m) (gundeck)
Beam	41 ft 6 in (12.6 m)
Depth of hold	17 ft 4 in (5.3 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full rigged ship
Armament	70 guns: Gundeck: 26 × 24 pdrs Upper gundeck: 26 × 12 pdrs Quarterdeck: 14 × 6 pdrs Forecastle: 4 × 6 pdrs

HMS Grafton was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy. She was built by Swallow and Fowler, of Limehouse, London to the dimensions of the 1706 Establishment, and was launched on 9 August 1709.

She spent some time under the command of George Forbes, 3rd Earl of Granard, and by 1718 she was commanded by Nicholas Haddock, and was present at the Battle of Cape Passaro. By 1738 she was stationed at the Nore, when she was commanded by Richard Lestock.

On 21 September 1722 Grafton was ordered to be taken to pieces and rebuilt to the 1719 Establishment at Woolwich, from where she was relaunched on 25 November 1725. She remained in service until 1744, when she was broken up.

References

• Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-281-8.
• 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.