English ship Providence (1637)

History
English Navy Royal
NameProvidence
Ordered12 December 1636
BuilderRobert Tranckmore, St Savior's Dock, Bermondsey
Launched21 March 1637
Commissioned1638
Commonwealth of England
NameProvidence
AcquiredMay 1649
Honours &
awards
  • Portland 1653
  • The Gabbard 1653
  • Scheveningen 1553
Kingdom of England
NameProvidence
AcquiredMay 1660
Honours &
awards
  • Lowestoffe 1665
  • Four Days' Battle 1666
  • St James' Day Battle (Orfordness) 1666
FateWrecked at Tangier 31 October 1668
General characteristics
Class & type
  • "Pinnace" (i.e. frigate)
  • Fourth Rate – 1651
Tons burthen357+6294 tons bm
Length90 ft 1 in (27.5 m) keel
Beam27 ft 4 in (8.3 m)
Depth of hold11 ft 0 in (3.4 m)
PropulsionSail
Sail planship-rigged
Complement
  • 120 (1652)
  • 140 (1653)
Armament
  • 30 guns as built
  • 1666 establishment
  • 6 × culverins (LD)
  • 14 × demi-culverins (LD)
  • 14 × sakers (UD)

Providence was a 30-gun "pinnace" (later defined as an early frigate) in the service of the English Navy Royal. After an initial participation in a punitive attack on Morocco, she spent the majority of her career in Home Waters. During the English Civil War she was employed in the Parliamentary Naval Force. In 1551 she was assigned to the Commonwealth Navy. During the First Dutch War she took part in the Battle of Portland, the Battle of the Gabbard and the Battle of Scheveningen in 1553. During the Second Dutch War she participated in the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665 and the Four Days' Battle and the St James' Day Battle (Orfordness) in 1666. She was re-classed as a 32-gun ship in 1666, but then again re-rated and converted to a fireship in June 1667, but was wrecked at Tangier on 31 October 1667.

The Providence was the first vessel to be given that name in the English and Royal Navies.