HMS Success was a 20-gun Royal Navy vessel launched in 1740, marking the first government contract awarded to the Blaydes Yard in Hull. The ship's construction cost approximately £4,800 and featured a crew of around 140 men. She was commissioned in October 1739 and launched in July 1740 under the command of Captain Bradwarden Thomas. Her initial deployment took her across the Atlantic to New England, where she operated until October 1742. Throughout her service, HMS Success underwent multiple repairs and refits at various dockyards, including Sheerness, Woolwich, and Deptford, reflecting her active role and the wear from extended operations. Notably, her repair costs accumulated to over £7,000 beyond her original build price. After her repairs, she resumed service in 1749, initially returning to New England, and later participating in several notable military engagements. Under Captain John Rous, HMS Success took part in the Battle of Fort Beausejour off New Brunswick in May 1755. That same year, she was involved in attacking French fishing boats and destroying harbor facilities at Codroy, Newfoundland. Stationed at Halifax in 1757 under Captain Paul Henry Ourry, the ship participated in the Louisburg Expedition, although she left the campaign prior to the Siege of Louisburg. In 1758, she underwent another major refit at Deptford and subsequently attacked St Malo in June under Captain Ourry. Later that year, she joined a convoy to South Carolina, with command passing to Captain George Watson. Her operational history continued with repairs and upgrades, including a significant overhaul at Deptford in 1761/2 costing over £5,000. She returned to South Carolina service under Captain John Botterell before being paid off in February 1764. HMS Success's career concluded with her being broken up at Sheerness in May 1779, with materials reused for other ships. Her logs from 1747 to 1752 and a private midshipman’s log from 1754 to 1756 are preserved at the National Archive, providing valuable insights into her operational history and life aboard during her active years.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.