Royal Oak 1690

by Sir Edward Pellew · 2026-09-17 · Maps

Launched in 1690, Royal Oak at 1,154 Tons BM was rated for 70-74 guns and 500 Men and Classed as a Third Rate Ship Of The Line. Built during a period where the Royal Navy was beginning to seek options to counter the ever increasing size of French Third Rate ships, which were starting to outclass English standard 150' 70 gunners, The old Royal Oak launched in 1674, was well regarded in the fleet as likely one of the best sailors of the 3rd Rate class, originally designed by Jonas Shish she was state of the art. But by the late 1680s, Royal Oak started to look alot more appealing not only for her speed, but her extra size, Royal Oak was 7' longer than normal British 70s, this is partly what gifted her the speed she was famous for but, it also allowed for an armament to counter the newer French Threat. Thus in 1690, Sir Robert Lee a renowned naval designer of his time, set about Rebuilding and modernizing the ageing Royal Oak. The process called ''Rebuilding'' began, Lee added new headrails and two new stern balconies' more in fashion at the time, opposed to the one row of stern lights that once resided there. He modernised her internals bringing her capacity for crew and fighting equ