HMS Helverson

HMS Helverson was formerly Hilversum of the Admiralty of Amsterdam. She was built around 1655 as a third rate frigate.

History
England
Name	HMS Helverson
Launched	1655
In service	Captured from the Dutch during the Battle of Lowestoft on 13 June 1665
Renamed	Previously Hilversum renamed Helverson on capture
Fate	Sunk as blockship on 12 June 1667 during the Raid on the Medway
General characteristics
Class & type	third rate frigate
Tons burthen	597 tons
Length	136 ft (41 m)
Beam	34 ft (10 m)
Complement	258
Armament	60 guns

Hilversum was attacked in the Battle of Lowestoft by the fireship HMS Bramble, under Captain Napthali Ball. Hilversum was captured by other British ships as the crew of the Hilversum fought the fire.

Renamed HMS Helverson, the ship was sunk to block the River Medway from the invading Dutch fleet on 12 June 1667. The Dutch fleet was attempting to raid the docks at Chatham Dockyard. John Evelyn drew a sketch 'A scheme of the 12th of June 1667' depicting the position of HMS Helverson. She has been the only ship of the Royal Navy to be called HMS Helverson.

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.