''Swallow'' was a 6-gun unrated
Ketch
A ketch is a two- masted sailboat whose mainmast is taller than the mizzen mast (or aft-mast), and whose mizzen mast is stepped forward of the rudder post. The mizzen mast stepped forward of the rudder post is what distinguishes the ketch f ...
which served in the
English Royal Navy
The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...
, bought in 1661. The term "Ketch" refers to a two-
masted sailboat
A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing ship. Distinctions in what constitutes a sailing boat and ship vary by region and maritime culture.
Types
Although sailboat terminology ...
whose
mainmast
The mast of a sailing vessel is a tall spar, or arrangement of spars, erected more or less vertically on the median line of a ship or boat. Its purposes include carrying sails, spars, and derricks, giving necessary height to a navigation light ...
is taller than the
mizzen mast
The mast of a sailing ship, sailing vessel is a tall spar (sailing), spar, or arrangement of spars, erected more or less vertically on the median plane, median line of a ship or boat. Its purposes include carrying sails, spars, and derricks, givi ...
(or aft-mast),
generally in a 40-foot or bigger boat.
Service history
When bought in 1661, ''Swallow'' was valued as £355.9.0d and was commissioned 18/5/1661 under
Captain
Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...
Francis Sparrow until 8/12/1662; in the Mediterranean 1662.
On 5/2/1664 under Capt. Robert Ensome until 16/8/1665; to Jamaica 1665.
On 17.10.1665 under Capt. John Berry until 6.2.1666, during this time, on 8/12/1665, ''Sparrow'' took 3 prizes into Dover, laden with wine and brandy, and on 9/12/1665 ''Sparrow'' took 2 prizes into Deal, A fly-boat about 100 tons and a Hoy, both out of Bordeaux.
On 10.2.1666 under Capt. John Phenny until 17.8.1666, then on 19.8.1666 under Capt.
Sir Richard Munden until 22.7.1667.
Then on 28.4.1668 under Capt. Benjamin Symonds until 21.7.1668, it was eventually sold in May 1674.
References
* Winfield, Rif (2009) ''British Warships in the Age of Sail 1603-1714.'' . Page 677.
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Ships of the Royal Navy