Name HMS Newcastle Laid down 17 June 1746 In service 1755-1761 Launched 4 December 1750 | Ordered 11 November 1745 Commissioned March 1755 Construction started 17 June 1746 Builder HMNB Portsmouth | |
Fate Wrecked off Pondicherry, 1 January 1761 | ||
HMS Newcastle was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1750 and in 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.
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 (1757) 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.