HMS England (1693)

HMS England was a 42-gun fifth rate purchased in 1693. She served in the Bristol Channel or North Sea. She was sunk by a French squadron in 1695.^[1]

History
Kingdom of England
Name	HMS England
Acquired	19 August 1693
Commissioned	1694
Fate	Taken and sunk by a French squadron 16 February 1695
General characteristics
Type	42-gun fifth rate
Tons burthen	388 bm
Length	93 ft 1 in (28.4 m) gun deck
Beam	28 ft 0 in (8.5 m) for tonnage
Sail plan	ship-rigged
Armament	42 guns

England was the only such named vessel in the Royal Navy.^[2]

Construction

She was purchased on 19 August 1693, but is also listed as 'hired' on 5 September 1693.^[3]

Commissioned service

She was commissioned in 1694 Under the command of Captain William Cooper, RN, for service in either the North Sea or the Bristol Channel^[4]'

Loss

HMS England was taken and sunk by a French squadron off Cape Clear on 16 February 1695 while defending a homebound convoy from the West Indies. Captain Cooper was killed in the battle.^[5]