HMS Winchelsea was a 32-gun fifth-rate

Fifth-rate

In Britain's Royal Navy during the classic age of fighting sail, a fifth rate was the penultimate class of warships in a hierarchal system of six "ratings" based on size and firepower.-Rating:...

 Niger-class

Niger class frigate

The Niger-class frigates were 32-gun sailing frigates of the fifth rate produced for the Royal Navy. They were designed in 1757 by Sir Thomas Slade, and were an improvement on his 1756 design for the 32-gun s....

 frigate of the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

, and was the sixth Royal Navy ship to bear this name (or its archaic form Winchelsey). She was ordered during the Seven Years War, but completed too late for that conflict. She cost £11,515-18-0d to build.

History

HMS Winchelsea was brought into service in February 1769, under Captain Samuel Goodall

Samuel Goodall

Samuel Granston Goodall was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the Seven Years' War, the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars in a career that spanned 50 years, rising to the rank of Admiral of the White.Goodall rose from obscure origins to the rank of...

, and sailed for service to the Mediterranean. She saw service during the American War of Independence and thereafter until 1794, when she was paid off. Fitted as a troop carrier in 1799-1800. She became a convalescent ship at Sheerness in 1803, finally being sold there to be broken up in November 1814.