Royal Catherine began as an 84-gun ship, was rebuilt as a 90-gun ship, renamed Ramillies in 1706, and later served as John Byng's flagship. Launched in 1664 and wrecked in 1760, the ship remained on the books for almost a century through successive forms. Charles was laid down around 1665 or 1666, launched as a 96-gun ship in 1668, rebuilt as a 90-gun ship, and renamed St George in 1687. She was broken up in 1774, giving the ship a stated 106 years of Royal Navy service. Their histories show how rebuilding sustained second rates across several generations of service.
Chapter · 12:14-14:10
Royal Catherine, Charles, and a century of rebuilding
Royal Catherine and Charles remained in service through rebuilds and renamings that carried each ship's identity across about a century.