HMS Expedition was a 70-gun third-rate ship of the line constructed at Portsmouth Dockyard, launched on 10 September 1679 under Master Shipwright Daniel Furzer. The vessel measured approximately 152 feet 1 inch in length on her gundeck, with a breadth of 40 feet 9 inches, and a depth of hold of 17 feet. Her tonnage was calculated at around 1,068 tons burthen. Initially armed according to the 1677 Establishment, she carried a complement of 70 guns, including demi-cannons, 12-pounders, sakers, and smaller guns, with a crew of approximately 460. HMS Expedition saw active service during the Nine Years' War, participating notably in the battles of Beachy Head (1690) and Barfleur (1692), earning battle honours for these engagements. She was commissioned in 1689 under Captain John Clements and later commanded by other notable officers, including Captain Edward Dover and Captain James Stewart. In 1699, she was rebuilt at Chatham Dockyard, retaining her original dimensions but with an increased tonnage of approximately 1,116 tons. During the War of Spanish Succession, she was involved in operations at Cádiz and in the West Indies, notably fighting at Marbella in 1705 and Wager's action off Cartagena in 1708. She was rebuilt again between 1709 and 1714 at Portsmouth, renamed Prince Frederick in 1715, and rearmed under the 1703 Establishment, maintaining her 70-gun complement. She participated in Baltic operations and served as a guard ship until her final rebuild at Deptford Dockyard from 1736 to 1740. The vessel’s final configuration under the 1733 Establishment featured 70 guns, including 24-pounders and 12-pounders, with a burthen of approximately 1,225 tons. She took part in key conflicts such as the Battle of Finisterre (1747) during the War of Austrian Succession and the capture of Louisburg and Quebec during the Seven Years’ War. Decommissioned and paid off in 1763, she was eventually sold in 1784, marking a distinguished career spanning over a century of active service and notable maritime engagements.

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