The HMS Mary, originally known as the English ship Speaker, was a notable third-rate warship of the Royal Navy, launched in 1650 at Woolwich Dockyard. Constructed by Christopher Pett, she served as a flagship for the Commonwealth of England and was the lead vessel of the Speaker-class. The ship measured approximately 143 feet (43.6 meters) in length with a beam of 34 feet 4 inches (10.5 meters) and a tonnage of 727 tons burthen. Initially designed to carry 44 guns, her armament was progressively increased, reaching 50 guns in 1649, 56 guns by 1653, and ultimately 60 guns between 1655 and 1660. The vessel's design featured two decks, accommodating the admiral and his officers, with a broadside armament that grew over time, reflecting her evolution as a powerful warship. She participated notably in the Battle of the Gabbard in 1653, where she served as the flagship for Rear Admiral Samuel Howett in the Rear division of the Red squadron. Additionally, she was part of the fleet that transported Charles II from Holland, an event of significant historical importance, after which she was renamed HMS Mary following the Restoration. In 1688, HMS Mary was rebuilt by Thomas Shish at Woolwich Dockyard, transforming her into a 62-gun third-rate ship of the line, maintaining her status as a formidable vessel of her time. Her service ended when she was wrecked on the Goodwin Sands during the Great Storm of 1703, with almost all of her 275 crew drowned, including Rear-Admiral Basil Beaumont. The wreck was discovered in 1980, with archaeological investigations conducted in 2006. The site is believed to lie under the South Mound, and the wreck is situated near other vessels lost in the same storm, such as HMS Restoration, HMS Stirling Castle, and HMS Northumberland. HMS Mary is regarded as an early example of a ship of the line, embodying characteristics that would define the class in later naval design, making her a vessel of considerable maritime historical significance.

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