HMS Seahorse was a 24-gun sixth rate vessel of the Gibraltar Group in the British Royal Navy, launched on 13 February 1712 from Portsmouth Dockyard at an initial cost of approximately £1,869. Its early construction was overseen by Master Shipwright Richard Stacey. The ship's dimensions upon launch included a gundeck length of 106 feet, a beam of 28 feet 4 inches, and a depth of hold of 9 feet 2 inches, with a tonnage of roughly 374 45/94 tons. Initially commissioned in 1712 under Captain James Dalzell, HMS Seahorse saw a series of commanders and service deployments in Home Waters, North America, the Leeward Islands, and Newfoundland. Early in her career, she participated in trade protection duties, with notable service in the North Sea and Baltic under Captain Thomas Willyams in 1717, and in New England under Captain Thomas Durell in 1720. She was repaired briefly at Deptford in 1716 before her significant rebuild between 1725 and 1727. The rebuild, completed at Deptford under Stacey’s guidance, expanded and modernized her to a 374-ton sixth rate, armed with twenty 6-pounder guns mounted on wooden trucks. Post-rebuild, she was commissioned in 1728 under Captain Ambrose Saunders for service in Ireland, later fitting for the West Indies in 1731, and serving in the Leeward Islands. Throughout the 1730s and 1740s, HMS Seahorse participated in various regional patrols, including Georgia and Jamaica, and was involved in operations such as Mitchell's engagement with Conflans in 1746. She underwent extensive repairs, including a great repair at Deptford in 1739 costing over £5,000. HMS Seahorse’s service concluded with her sale in 1748 to Mr. Milward for £5,033.18.3d. Her career reflects the typical pattern of early 18th-century Royal Navy sixth rates, emphasizing trade protection, regional patrols, and involvement in broader naval campaigns, marking her as a notable vessel of her time.

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