HMS Aldborough (1727)

HMS Aldborough was a 20-gun sixth-rate ship of the Royal Navy, built in 1727 according to the 1719 Establishment and in service in the West Indies, the North Sea and the Mediterranean until 1742. Two future Admirals, John Reynolds and Hugh Palliser, served aboard Aldborough as midshipmen at the commencement of their naval careers.

Naval career
Aldborough was commissioned in March 1727 and assigned to survey work in the British West Indies. Her first captain was Edward Baker, who remained in command until early 1729 when he was replaced by John Gascoigne. The future Admiral John Reynolds served under Gascoigne's command as one of Aldborough's midshipmen from 1729 to 1734.

After seven years in the West Indies the ship was returned to Deptford Dockyard in 1734 for refit and repair. Aboard as passengers for this voyage were James Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony of Georgia, and a delegation of Cherokee sent to meet with the British Government. Aldborough's years in tropical waters had taken their toll with extensive work required to restore her hull and timbers. Refitting continued until June 1735 at a cost of £5,417, more than two thirds of her original construction expense of £7,461.

Temporarily restored to seaworthiness, Aldborough was assigned to the command of Captain Nicholas Robinson and transferred to coastal patrol in the English Channel and North Sea. Robinson's 11-year-old nephew Hugh Palliser was also signed aboard as a midshipman from 1735. The ship remained in poor condition despite her recent refit, and was paid off for further repair in 1736. Considered too expensive to maintain, she was refitted in 1737 as a fireship of 8 guns and 55 crew. in 1738 this designation was reversed, with Aldborough restored to the Navy lists as a 20-gun sixth rate and assigned to Mediterranean service under Captain George Pocock.

Fate
Aldborough was broken up at Deptford Dockyard on 31 March 1742, in accordance with Admiralty orders that another ship of the same name be constructed in her place.