HMS Tilbury was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line constructed for the Royal Navy. As one of eight ships authorized by the Navy Board on 24 December 1695, she was part of a strategic effort to bolster naval strength during that period. The ship was built at Chatham Dockyard under the direction of Master Shipwright Daniel Furzer, representing a significant effort in naval shipbuilding of the late 17th century. She was launched on 3 September 1699, making her the last of the eight ships to be completed. Designated as a fourth rate, HMS Tilbury was equipped with 50 guns, which positioned her as a versatile vessel suitable for a variety of fleet roles, including escort duties and fleet actions. Although specific details about her dimensions or armament configuration are not provided in the source, her classification indicates a ship capable of both engagement and support tasks within the Royal Navy's fleet. The vessel served the Royal Navy for approximately 27 years, a period during which she would have participated in early 18th-century naval operations, although the specific actions or campaigns she was involved in are not detailed in the source. Her service concluded in 1726, when she was docked at Chatham Dockyard on 4 November and subsequently broken up. Her decommissioning marked the end of her operational life, typical of ships of her era after two decades of service. Overall, HMS Tilbury exemplifies the late 17th-century naval architecture and shipbuilding practices of the Royal Navy, reflecting the strategic priorities of the period. Her construction at Chatham and her relatively long service life highlight her role as a component of Britain’s expanding maritime power during the early 18th century.

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