HMS Exeter was a 70-gun third-rate ship of the line built for the Kingdom of England, constructed under contract by Sir Henry Johnson at Blackwall on the River Thames. Launched in March 1680, she measured approximately 150 feet 2 inches in length on the gundeck, with a keel length of 120 feet for tonnage calculations. Her breadth was 40 feet 2.5 inches, and her depth of hold was 16 feet 9.5 inches, with a draught of 18 feet. Her builder’s measure tonnage was approximately 1,031.88 tons burthen. Initially armed according to the 1677 Establishment, HMS Exeter carried around 72 guns, which later was reduced to 70 by 1688 in line with the 1685 Establishment. Her armament comprised twenty-six demi-cannons on the lower deck, twenty-six 12-pounder guns on the upper deck, ten sakers on the quarterdeck, four sakers on the forecastle, and four 3-pounder guns on the poop deck or roundhouse. The vessel was manned by a crew of approximately 460 personnel. Commissioned on 8 June 1679 under Captain John Perryman, HMS Exeter was delivered to Chatham for service. Throughout her career, she participated notably in the Battle of Beachy Head on 30 June 1690, where she served in Rear (Blue) Squadron. During her service life, she underwent command changes, including Captain Lawrence Wright, Captain Mathew Tennant, and Captain George Mees. Her service was cut short when she was accidentally burnt at Plymouth on 12 September 1691. Following the fire, her remains were hulked at Portsmouth until 1717, when she was broken up. As the first vessel to bear the name Exeter in the Royal Navy, her history reflects the naval warfare and shipbuilding practices of late 17th-century England.

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