HMS Aldborough was a 24-gun sixth-rate ship of the Royal Navy, purchased in 1706 and in service in Mediterranean and English waters until 1727 when she was rebuilt as a 374 ton (builder's measure) sixth rate in accordance with the 1719 Establishment for Sixth Rates.

[2] Initially intended for merchant service, the as yet unnamed vessel was purchased for naval use while still under construction at London's Blackwall Yard on 2 January 1706.

[6] Eight years of active service had reduced Aldborough's seaworthiness, and in 1714 she underwent an expensive refit and repair at Portsmouth Dockyard at a cost of 1,268.8.41/2d.

She returned to sea in 1715 under Captain Charles Stewart, RN, whose orders were to patrol the waters surrounding Scotland and Ireland.

A further refit was required at Plymouth dockyard in the summer of 1717 at a cost of 1,304.10.71/4d, after which Aldborough returned to her previous coastal patrol.

[7][8] Aldborough was commissioned in March 1728 under the command of Captain Edward Barker, RN for survey work in the West Indies.

After about six years in the West Indies the ship returned to Deptford Dockyard to pay off in July 1734 for refit and repair.

After years in tropical waters had taken their toll with extensive work required to restore her hull and timbers.

[9] She was commissioned in May 1735 under the command of Captain Nicholas Robinson, RN for service in the English Channel and North Sea.

By Admiralty Order 16 August 1737 she was converted to a fireship with 8 guns manned by 55 men at a cost of 1,546.0.1d for fitting.

She was commissioned in August 1738 under the command of Captain George Pocock, RN for service in the Mediterranean.