HMS Yarmouth (1745)
HMS "Yarmouth" was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Deptford Dockyard. She was previously ordered to the dimensions specified in the 1741 proposals for modifications to the 1719 Establishment, but the Admiralty had very quickly concluded that these were too small, and as an experiment in 1742 authorised an addition of 6ft to the planned length, and "Yarmouth" was re-ordered to the enlarged design in June 1742. She was built at Deptford, where the Admiralty felt they could best observe the effectiveness of the added size , and launched on 8 March 1745. Commissioned in February 1745 under Captain Roger Martin. In 1747 under Captain Piercy Brett she was one of George Anson's squadron at the First Battle of Cape Finisterre. "Yarmouth" became a guardship in 1763, serving alternately between Chatham and Sheerness. She was recommissioned for the Leeward Islands in 1777 and sailed on 9 September. In 1781, "Yarmouth" was reduced in armament to become a 60-gun ship. She remained in this role until 1811, when she was broken up. Destroying USS "Randolph". On 7 March 1778 "Yarmouth" was attacked by the American frigate  with half the guns and likely less than a quarter the firepower. The frigate managed to cause some minor damage to two of "Yarmouth"s topmasts and a portion of her bowsprit, then attempted to rake (fire through the length of) the ship; "Randolph" was firing 3 broadsides to "Yarmouth"s one, however the 12 lb shot would have struggled to penetrate "Yarmouth"s hull, while "Yarmouth"s 18 and 32-pounder guns would have been able to penetrate any part of her comparatively lightly armored opponent. "Randolph" exploded during the engagement, likely due to a shot penetrating her magazine, killing all but four  of her crew. Part of her wreckage landed on "Yarmouth"s decks, including "Randolph"s ensign. "Yarmouth" had to repair two damaged topmasts but suffered no significant damage and no fatalities or serious injuries. Citations and references. Citations References