HMS Larke (or Lark), launched at Blackwall on 11 June 1675, was a standard 18-gun vessel built under the contract of Sir Anthony Deane. Constructed with lines similar to the Greyhound, she had a keel length of 74 feet (22.56 meters), a breadth of 22 feet 6 inches (6.86 meters), a depth of hold of 9 feet 2 inches (2.79 meters), and a draught of only 8 feet 6 inches (2.59 meters). Her tonnage was approximately 199 tons, and her construction cost was £2,481.8.0d. The ship's initial armament comprised fourteen to sixteen 6-pounder muzzle-loading smoothbore guns on trucks, along with two minion cannons—large muzzle-loading guns firing a 4-pound shot. By 1685, her armament was upgraded to sixteen sakers and two 3-pounder guns. HMS Larke's service began in June 1675 under Captain Henry Priestman, primarily serving in the Mediterranean. She subsequently operated in Home Waters, with notable commands including Captain William Trelawney (1678–1679), Captain Greenville Collins (1679), Captain William Gifford (1682–1684), and Captain Thomas Leighton (1684–1686). During her service, she participated in various actions, including a boat engagement at Mamora in June 1684 and the capture of privateers such as Vogoreux-Roland in 1689, L'Experance in 1694, and L'Entrepenante in 1696. She also served in fisheries protection under Captain Richard Fitzpatrick and operated in the Irish and English Channels, as well as the Mediterranean. Her later years saw her with the fleet in 1696 under Captain Charles Strickland at Guernsey. HMS Larke's active career included convoy escort duties, anti-privateer operations, and fleet service, reflecting her significance in maritime protection during her period of service. She was sold on 3 May 1698, concluding a notable career spanning over two decades of service in the Royal Navy.

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