She was the second vessel to bear the name Looe since it was used for a 32-gun fifth rate built at Plymouth in 1696 and wrecked in Baltimore Bay, Ireland, on 30 April 1697.

[1] She was ordered on 24 December 1696 to be built at Portsmouth Dockyard under the guidance of Master Shipwright William Bagwell.

[6] HMS Looe was commissioned in 1697 under Captain Robert Arris for service on the Irish coast.

The squadron sailed on 23 July from Plymouth arriving at the Bay of Bulls (St John's) on August 27.

[7][2] While returning with a homebound convoy she was wrecked in Scratchwell Bay on the Ilse of Wight on 12 December 1705.