Name Phoenix Fate Wrecked, 1664 | Launched 1647 Tons burthen 414 ⁄94 | |
Builder Peter Pett II, Woolwich Class and type 38-gun fourth rate frigate | ||
Phoenix was a fourth rate frigate of the English Royal Navy, built by Peter Pett II at Woolwich and launched in 1647. The term 'frigate' during the period of this ship referred to a method of construction, rather than a role which did not develop until the following century. As completed she was established with a peacetime 32 guns, but by 1652 carried 38 guns as a wartime establishment. She was enlarged during her life and by the 1660s was measured at 556 tons.
Phoenix was captured by the Dutch ship Eendracht off Elba in the Mediterranean during the Battle of Elba, 28-8-1652 (O.S.)/6-9-1652 (N.S.), an action between the English squadron commanded by Richard Badiley and a Dutch squadron under Jan van Galen. She was retaken on 20 November 1652 by an attack by English small boats at Leghorn. She was finally wrecked on 3 December 1664 during a storm in Gibraltar Bay while attempting to pass through the Straits of Gibraltar.