HMS Shoreham was a 32-gun fifth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy, constructed under contract at Shoreham in 1693/94. Launched on 6 January 1694, she measured approximately 103 feet on her gundeck, with a keel length of 85 feet 7 inches for tonnage calculations, a beam of 28 feet 1.5 inches, and a hold depth of 10 feet 8 inches. Her builder’s measure tonnage was roughly 3,609 tons. Initially, her armament consisted of four demi-culverins on the lower deck, supplemented by 20 to 22 sakers on the upper deck, and four to six minions on the quarterdeck, reflecting her role as a versatile combat vessel. Commissioned in January 1694 under Captain John Constable, Shoreham participated in key early actions during the Nine Years' War, including an unsuccessful bombardment at Camaret Bay near Brest, and the capture of the French corvette La Farouche in July 1695. Throughout her career, she served in North America, the West Indies, and Irish waters. Notable engagements included capturing a 20-gun pirate vessel and retaking merchantmen in 1700, and capturing the French privateer L'Esperance in 1709. She changed commanders multiple times, serving under captains such as Philip Dawes, William Passenger, George Saunders, John Furzer, Charles Hardy, and Edward Falkingham. In 1713, Shoreham was paid off and underwent a significant repair at Sheerness. Between 1719 and 1721, she was dismantled and rebuilt at Woolwich to conform to the 1719 Establishment as a sixth-rate ship, with her dimensions extended to a 106-foot gundeck and her armament adjusted to twenty 6-pounder guns. Recommissioned in 1721, she served in the East Indies, Baltic, and West Indies, including a period as a bomb vessel. During her service, she participated in reconnaissance, landing operations, and naval patrols, notably destroying supplies at Porto Maria and engaging in operations around Cuba. Shoreham’s active service ended after her participation in operations around Santiago de Cuba, and she was sold in June 1744 for £195. Her varied career highlights her adaptability and significance during the early 18th century naval conflicts.

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