HMS Phoenix (1694)

HMS Phoenix was originally built as a fireship. In 1707, she belonged to Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell's fleet. She saw action during the unsuccessful Battle of Toulon and was present during the great naval disaster off the Isles of Scilly when Shovell and four of his ships (Association, Firebrand, Romney and Eagle) were lost, claiming the lives of nearly 2,000 sailors. Phoenix ran ashore between Tresco and St Martin's and had to be beached, but could be kept seaworthy and finally managed to reach Portsmouth. In 1709, the former fireship was re-built as a 20-gun sixth-rate frigate. When under the command of Vincent Pearse, she sailed to Nassau, Bahamas in February 1718, to offer the king's pardon to pirates who were willing to surrender and abandon piracy. She also played a minor role in the 1740 Siege of St. Augustine during the War of Jenkins' Ear. In 1741, under the command of Captain Fanshaw, she was involved in the defence of Charlestown, South Carolina from Spanish pirates.