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CHESTER
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(50) |
4th rate
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Built in 1708, Chatham DY.
Broken up in 1750. |
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- 1708 Capt. Thomas MATTHEWS. In March CHESTER was with the Channel squadron under Lord DURSLY which had escorted a Lisbon convoy to a safe latitude. They had scarcely parted company when they fell in with the ACHILLES (60), commanded by Du Guai Trouin, with the GLORIEUX (44) and the BRISTOL (50), which they had captured from the English that morning. A chase began in which the clean hull of the new CHESTER enabled her to run so far ahead of the rest that she soon came up with GLORIEUX and captured her after a short action. After a refit he was ordered to the West Indies the following spring where he captured one or two small privateers before being sent to the N. American station. In May 1710 he received instructions to join the DRAGON (38), Capt. MARTIN, which was being sent out from England with a small squadron to reduce Port Royal in Nova Scotia. CHESTER was sent to intercept any enemy reinforcements so did not take part in the actual attack.
- In June 1711 Capt MATTHEWS returned to Boston from a cruise to find that Sir Hovenden WALKER had arrived two or three days before with a strong squadron. He placed himself under his orders and was sent to escort some transports to New York. On the way there he took a French prize and obtained valuable intelligence on the navigation of the St. Lawrence river which he passed to the commander in chief.
- From New York he was ordered to cruise between Placentia and Cape Breton until the the fleet took passage up the St. Lawrence. CHESTER's stern frame had been damaged in a gale so she was ordered back to New England to refit before returning to England as convoy to the mail ships. Peace was concluded shortly after her return.
- 1717 Nicholas EATON. CHESTER was one of the ships ordered to be equipped for the Baltic under Sir George BYNG, but because it was so late in the season before the ship was commissioned, she could not be got ready before the fleet sailed.
- 1741 Capt. George SLAUGHTER
- 1742 Capt. Thomas COOPER
- 1745 Capt. Richard SPRY. He was promoted to post captain on 23 September. In 1747 he was ordered to the East Indies under Mr Boscawen and took part in the expedition against Pondicherry. Returned to England in 1754.
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