HMS Bideford (1695)
HMS "Bideford" was a member of the standardize 20-gun sixth rates built at the end of the 17th Century. After commissioning she spent her short career in the West Indies. Mainly employed as a trade protection vessel. She was wrecked in 1699. "Bideford" (spelt Biddeford or Bideford) was the first named vessel in the Royal Navy. Construction. She was ordered in the Second Batch of eight ships to be built under contract by Nicholas Barret of Harwich. She was launched on 25 October 1695. Commissioned Service. She was commissioned on 19 October 1695 under the command  of Captain Thomas Thatcher, RN for service in the West Indies. Cptain Thatcher died on 20 October 1697. Captain Samuel Martin, RN took command on the 18th. In 1699 Captain Henry Searle was in command until he drowned in her wreck on 12 November 1699. Loss. "HMS Bideford" was wrecked on the Isle of Ash off Hispaniola on 12 November 1699.