HMS Greyhound was a 42-gun fourth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy, launched on 9 March 1703 at Ipswich. As built, she measured approximately 114 feet 3 inches along her gundeck and had a keel length of 95 feet 3 inches. Her breadth was 31 feet 3 inches, with a hold depth of 12 feet 10½ inches, resulting in a burthen tonnage of roughly 49¾ tons Builder’s measurement. The vessel featured two complete gun decks, equipped with a total of 42 guns: 18 nine-pounder guns on the lower deck, 20 six-pounder guns on the upper deck, and an additional four six-pounder guns on the quarterdeck, reflecting her armament configuration suited for versatile naval engagements. Constructed as part of a series of seven 42-gun fifth-rate ships built between 1702 and 1706, Greyhound was designed to specifications of a 115-foot gundeck length, 95-foot keel, and 13-foot depth in hold, with a slightly higher tonnage measurement than some of her sister ships. She was one of three ships contracted on 4 July 1702 at Ipswich, with the others being Hector and Lark, though the remaining four ships of this class were built in Royal Dockyards. Commissioned on 2 March 1703 under Captain Charles Layton, Greyhound initially served on convoy duties to Ireland. After Captain Layton’s death in November 1704, command transferred to Captain James Heriot, and later, on 14 January 1709, to Captain James Stuart. Under Stuart’s command, Greyhound operated along the coast of Scotland and later in the North Sea. Her service ended when she was wrecked on 26 August 1711 on the bar at the mouth of the River Tyne. Her construction and service highlight her role as a versatile frigate in early 18th-century naval operations, primarily focused on convoy escort and patrol duties within the Royal Navy’s expanding maritime reach.

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