HMS Herring (1804)
Encyclopedia
HMS Herring was a Royal Navy
Ballahoo-class schooner
of four 12-pounder carronade
s and a crew of 20. The prime contractor for the vessel was Goodrich & Co., in Bermuda
, and she was launched in 1804. She spent most of her career in North American waters though she did spend two years sailing between Britain and Spain before returning to North America where she foundered in 1813.
In 1805 Herring was again under the command of Morrison, on the Newfoundland station. Between 1806 and 1809, she was under the command of Morrison, then McKillop, and then by 1807 Lieutenant Walter J. Sprott. In 1808 she was under the command of Samuel W. Sprott, and in that year and the next she sailed twice for the Bay of Exploits
in two unsuccessful attempts to make contact with the Beothuk
people.
Herring then came under the command of Lieutenant Strong, who sailed her for Portugal on 5 March 1810. Herring underwent repairs at Portsmouth from 2 November until 16 January 1811. She spent that year and early 1812 sailing between Lisbon or Cadiz and Falmouth.
In 1812 Lieutenant John Murray took command, sailing her for North America on 3 July.
station. As a result of an administrative error Herring remained on the Navy List until 7 December 1817.
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...
Ballahoo-class schooner
Ballahoo class schooner
The Ballahoo class was a Royal Navy class of eighteen 4-gun schooners built under contract in Bermuda during the Napoleonic War. The class was an attempt by the Admiralty to harness the expertise of Bermudian shipbuilders who were renowned for their fast-sailing craft...
of four 12-pounder carronade
Carronade
The carronade was a short smoothbore, cast iron cannon, developed for the Royal Navy by the Carron Company, an ironworks in Falkirk, Scotland, UK. It was used from the 1770s to the 1850s. Its main function was to serve as a powerful, short-range anti-ship and anti-crew weapon...
s and a crew of 20. The prime contractor for the vessel was Goodrich & Co., in Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
, and she was launched in 1804. She spent most of her career in North American waters though she did spend two years sailing between Britain and Spain before returning to North America where she foundered in 1813.
Service
She was commissioned under Lieutenant Isaac Morrison for the Leeward Islands or Newfoundland, and in fact served on the Newfoundland Station. In 1804 she was temporarily under Lieutenant John G. M'B. McKillop. He would write the following letter:His Maj. Schooner Herring, Bermuda October 1804
Sir,
I have the honor to acquaint your excellency that since my letter of the19 ..... the Herring and Pilchard have been launched, the former coppered and the inside work nearly compleat, the latter not yet coppered. The ship with spars for the several vessels arrived the day before yesterday which will enable the above vessels to be completed and ready for sea by the last of this month. The Capelin and Mackeral will not be launched until the middle of next month and I fear will not be ready to proceed to Newfoundland this winter. There being no iron ballast sent out for the schooners is of great inconvenience and the Navy Board have positively forbid any being purchased. The schooners being very buoyant obliges us to fill the hold with stone and carry all the water and provisions between decks so that the men have very little room. They are fine vessels of the kind and have the appearance of fast sailors. I beg leave to observe to your excellency that there being no establishment for the supply of necessaries, we are supplying them on the most reasonable terms possible and mean to forward the vouchers to the victualling board. The Officers and men are all in perfect health. I have the honor to remain &&&
John McKillop Lieut.
To: His Excellency Sir Erasmus Gower.
In 1805 Herring was again under the command of Morrison, on the Newfoundland station. Between 1806 and 1809, she was under the command of Morrison, then McKillop, and then by 1807 Lieutenant Walter J. Sprott. In 1808 she was under the command of Samuel W. Sprott, and in that year and the next she sailed twice for the Bay of Exploits
Bay of Exploits
The Bay of Exploits is a large bay in the northeast of Newfoundland. It extends from the mouth of the Exploits River and opens on to Notre Dame Bay to the north. It is approximately 1,000 square kilometers The Bay of Exploits is a large bay in the northeast of Newfoundland. It extends from the...
in two unsuccessful attempts to make contact with the Beothuk
Beothuk
The Beothuk were one of the aboriginal peoples in Canada. They lived on the island of Newfoundland at the time of European contact in the 15th and 16th centuries...
people.
Herring then came under the command of Lieutenant Strong, who sailed her for Portugal on 5 March 1810. Herring underwent repairs at Portsmouth from 2 November until 16 January 1811. She spent that year and early 1812 sailing between Lisbon or Cadiz and Falmouth.
In 1812 Lieutenant John Murray took command, sailing her for North America on 3 July.
Fate
She was lost in July 1813, presumed foundered with all hands off the HalifaxCity of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
station. As a result of an administrative error Herring remained on the Navy List until 7 December 1817.