HMS Gloucester (1695)
Construction and career
Construction and career
-----------------------

*Gloucester*, named after the [eponymous port](/wiki/Gloucester "Gloucester"), was the second ship of her name to serve in the Royal Navy.Colledge, p. 143 She was ordered on 27 March 1693 as a part of the 1691 Naval Programme from Thomas Clements of [Bristol](/wiki/Bristol "Bristol"). The ship, however, was not [launched](/wiki/Ceremonial_ship_launching "Ceremonial ship launching") until 5 May 1695\. [Commissioned](/wiki/Ship_commissioning "Ship commissioning") that same year, she cost [£](/wiki/Pound_sterling "Pound sterling")8,659 to build; Clements was paid a further £47 for excess work done, but £241 was deducted for work not performed.Winfield, p. 747

*Gloucester* served as the [flagship](/wiki/Flagship "Flagship") for Rear\-Admiral [John Benbow](/wiki/John_Benbow "John Benbow") in 1698 as he cruised the West Indies and remained there until 1703\. The ship returned to home waters in 1704 before sailing to Brazil in 1706\. She was hulked on 24 April 1708, and was broken up in October 1731\.


In what year was the ship 'Gloucester' ordered?