English ship London (1656)
London was a 76-gun second-rate ship of the line in the Navy of the Commonwealth of England, originally built at Chatham Dockyard by shipwright John Taylor, and launched in June 1656. She gained fame as one of the ships that escorted Charles II from Holland back to England during the English Restoration, carrying Charles' younger brother James Duke of York, and commanded by Captain John Lawson.
Artistic impression of the wreck of London shortly after she sank. All the parts of the ship shown here above the seabed had gone when the wreck was rediscovered. | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| England | |
| Name | London |
| Ordered | 3 July 1654 |
| Builder | Taylor, Chatham |
| Launched | June 1656 |
| Fate | Accidentally blown up, 7 March 1665 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 76-gun second-rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 1050 bm |
| Length | 123 ft 6 in (37.6 m) (keel) |
| Beam | 41 ft (12 m) (after girdling) |
| Depth of hold | 16 ft 6 in (5.0 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement |
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| Armament |
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London was accidentally blown up in 1665 and sank in the Thames Estuary. According to Samuel Pepys 300 of her crew were killed, 24 were blown clear and survived, including one woman. Lawson was not aboard at the time of the explosion but many of his relatives were killed. The wreck is a Protected Wreck managed by Historic England.
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