HMS St David was a fourth-rate ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, launched in 1667 at Lydney. Displacing enough to carry 54 guns, she was designed as a formidable warship of her class, intended for fleet actions and maritime dominance. The vessel’s construction in 1667 placed her within the context of England’s naval expansion during the late 17th century. The ship’s service history includes a notable voyage documented in “The Straights Voyage, or, St. Davids Poem,” authored by crew member John Baltharpe. This poem offers a lively, earthy account of life aboard the ship during her voyage through the Straits, reflecting the gritty realities of working sailors. Baltharpe’s background, including previous enslavement by North Africans, adds a personal and combative tone to the narrative, highlighting the ship’s involvement in engagements against Algerian corsairs. In 1689, HMS St David foundered in Portsmouth Harbour, a significant event that marked the end of her active service. She was subsequently raised in 1691 under the supervision of Edmund Dummer, the Surveyor of the Navy, indicating her importance and the Navy’s resources dedicated to salvage efforts. Following her recovery, she was hulked—meaning she was converted into a stationary ship used for various auxiliary purposes—and remained in service until her final sale in 1713. Throughout her career, HMS St David served as an example of the Royal Navy’s maritime power during a period of evolving naval tactics and ship design. Her participation in notable voyages and her subsequent salvage and conversion demonstrate her operational significance during the late 17th century. Ultimately, her story reflects the broader maritime history of the era, illustrating the life cycle of a notable naval vessel from active service to decommissioning.

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