HMS Newcastle (1750)

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

HMS Newcastle was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Peirson Lock at Portsmouth Dockyard and launched in 1750 for active service during the Seven Years' War against France. Principally engaged in defending British settlements in India, she was wrecked in a storm off Pondicherry in January 1761.

History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Newcastle
Ordered	11 November 1745
Builder	Peirson Lock, Portsmouth Dockyard
Laid down	17 June 1746
Launched	4 December 1750
Commissioned	March 1755
In service	1755–1761
Fate	Wrecked off Pondicherry, 1 January 1761
General characteristics
Class and type	1745 Establishment 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	105246⁄94(bm)
Length	144 ft (43.9 m) (gundeck) 117 ft 8 in (35.9 m) (keel)
Beam	41 ft 0 in (12.5 m)
Depth of hold	17 ft 8 in (5.4 m)
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Complement	350
Armament	Gundeck: 22 × 24-pounder guns Upper deck: 22 × 12-pounder guns Quarterdeck: 4 × 6-pounder guns Forecastle: 2 × 6-pounder guns

Fate

On 1 January 1761, a cyclone off Pondicherry, drove Newcastle, HMS Queenborough, and HMS Protector onshore, where they wrecked. Newcastle was able to leave harbour, but the wind shifted, impeding her and eventually driving her ashore two miles south of Pondicherry. The same storm also caught HMS Duc D'Aquitaine and HMS Sunderland. They tried to get out to open water, but were unable to. When they anchored the sea overwhelmed them and they both foundered, each with the loss of almost all on board. The former Captain, Sir Digby Dent, survived, having transferred command to Captain Richard Collins exactly one year before. Collins also survived the wreck.

References

• Hepper, David J. (1994). British Warship Losses in the Age of Sail, 1650–1859. Rotherfield: Jean Boudriot. ISBN 0-948864-30-3.
• 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.