HMS Panther (1703)

HMS Panther was a 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Deptford Dockyard and launched on 15 March 1703.[1]

History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Panther
Builder	Popely, Deptford
Launched	15 March 1703
Fate	Sold, 1768
General characteristics as built[1]
Class and type	50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	683 bm
Length	131 ft 3+1⁄2 in (40.0 m) (gundeck)
Beam	34 ft 4 in (10.5 m)
Depth of hold	13 ft 8 in (4.2 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	50 guns of various weights of shot
General characteristics after 1716 rebuild[2]
Class and type	1706 Establishment 50-gun fourth rate ship of the line
Tons burthen	715 bm
Length	130 ft (39.6 m) (gundeck)
Beam	35 ft (10.7 m)
Depth of hold	14 ft (4.3 m)
Propulsion	Sails
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Armament	50 guns: Gundeck: 22 × 18 pdrs Upper gundeck: 22 × 9 pdrs Quarterdeck: 4 × 6 pdrs Forecastle: 2 × 6 pdrs

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[3] sailors. Panther suffered little to no damage and finally managed to reach Portsmouth.

Panther was rebuilt according to the 1706 Establishment at Woolwich Dockyard, and relaunched on 6 April 1716. She was hulked in 1743, remaining in that role until she was sold out of the navy in 1768.[2]