HMS Apollo, the third ship of the Royal Navy

Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...

 to be named for the Greek god Apollo

Apollo

Apollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...

, was a fifth-rate

Fifth-rate

In Britain's Royal Navy during the classic age of fighting sail, a fifth rate was the penultimate class of warships in a hierarchal system of six "ratings" based on size and firepower.-Rating:...

 frigate

Frigate

A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

 of 38 guns launched in 1794 and wrecked in 1799.

She was built at Blackwall Yard

Blackwall Yard

Blackwall Yard was a shipyard on the Thames at Blackwall, London, engaged in ship building and later ship repairs for over 350 years. The yard closed in 1987...

 in 1794, and served from 1796 under Captain Manley. In June of that year, she and captured a French ship of 22 guns which was taken into service by the Navy as . In 1798 Captain Peter Halkett

Sir Peter Halkett, 6th Baronet

Admiral Sir Peter Halkett, 6th Baronet was a senior Royal Navy officer of the early nineteenth century who is best known for his service in the French Revolutionary Wars. The younger son a Scottish baronet, Halkett joined the Navy and by 1793 was a lieutenant, becoming a post captain after service...

was appointed to the command of Apollo; on 7 January 1799 she was wrecked on the Haak Sands, off the coast of Holland, whilst chasing a Dutch vessel. In a subsequent court martial, the pilot was found guilty of negligence and Captain Halkett exonerated; he was appointed to a newly built 36-gun frigate, also named .