HMS Aquilon (1758)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Aquilon.

History
Great Britain
Name:	HMS Aquilon
Ordered:	6 May 1757
Builder:	Robert Inwood, Rotherhithe
Laid down:	15 June 1757
Launched:	24 May 1758
Completed:	30 June 1758 at Deptford Dockyard
Commissioned:	January 1758
In service:	1758-1763 1765-1769
Fate:	Sold at Deptford 29 November 1776
General characteristics
Class & type:	28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate
Tons burthen:	599 ​8⁄94 bm
Length:	118 ft 7.5 in (36.2 m) (gundeck) 98 ft 3.25 in (30.0 m) (keel)
Beam:	33 ft 10.25 in (10.3 m)
Depth of hold:	10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Sail plan:	Full-rigged ship
Complement:	200
Armament:	28 guns comprising: Upperdeck: 24 × 9-pounder guns Quarterdeck: 4 × 3-pounder guns 12 × ​1⁄2-pounder swivel guns

HMS Aquilon was a 28-gun Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy.

Construction

Aquilon was an oak-built 28-gun sixth-rate, one of 18 vessels forming part of the Coventry-class of frigates. As with others in her class she was loosely modeled on the design and dimensions of HMS Tartar, launched in 1756 and responsible for capturing five French privateers in her first twelve months at sea. Admiralty contracts for Aquilon's construction were issued to commercial shipwright Robert Inwood of Rotherhithe on 23 May 1757, with a stipulation that work be completed within twelve months. Her keel was laid down on 15 June 1757 and work proceeded apace, with completion on 24 May 1758, just outside the contracted time.

As built, Aquilon was 118 ft 17.5 in (36.4 m) long with a 98 ft 3 in (29.9 m) keel, a beam of 33 ft 10 in (10.31 m), and measuring 599​⁸⁄₉₄ tonnes burthen. Her armament comprised 24 nine-pounder cannons located along her gun deck, supported by four three-pounder cannons on the quarterdeck and twelve ​¹⁄₂-pounder swivel guns ranged along her sides. Her crewing complement was 200 officers and men.