HMS Torbay (1693)

HMS Torbay was an 80-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Deptford Dockyard on 16 December 1693.^[1] In 1707, she served as flagship of Rear-Admiral of the Blue Sir John Norris and belonged to Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell's fleet. She saw action during the unsuccessful Battle of Toulon and was present during the great naval disaster off the Isles of Scilly when Shovell and four of his ships (Association, Firebrand, Romney and Eagle) were lost, claiming the lives of nearly 2,000^[3] sailors. Torbay suffered little to no damage and finally managed to reach Portsmouth.

History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Torbay
Namesake	Torbay
Builder	Harding, Deptford Dockyard
Launched	16 December 1693
Fate	Broken up, 1749
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type	80-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	1,202 bm
Length	156 ft (47.5 m) (gundeck)
Beam	41 ft 11 in (12.8 m)
Depth of hold	17 ft 4 in (5.3 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	80 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1719 rebuild[2]
Class and type	1706 Establishment 80-gun third rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	1,296 bm
Length	156 ft (47.5 m) (gundeck)
Beam	43 ft 6 in (13.3 m)
Depth of hold	17 ft 8 in (5.4 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	80 guns: Gundeck: 26 × 32 pdrs Middle gundeck: 26 × 12 pdrs Upper gundeck: 24 × 6 pdrs Quarterdeck: 4 × 6 pdrs

She was rebuilt at Deptford, according to the 1706 Establishment, and was relaunched on 23 May 1719. After this, her 80 guns were mounted on three gundecks instead of her original two, though she continued to be classified as a third rate.^[2]

In 1726 Torbay was the flagship of Sir Charles Wager^[4] at the Naval Blockade of Reval.

Torbay was broken up in 1749.^[2]

Torbay was notable for breaking the defensive boom in the Battle of Vigo Bay.