HMS Peterel (1794)
Encyclopedia
HMS Peterel was a 16-gun Pylades-class ship-sloop of the Royal Navy
. She was launched on 4 April 1794 and was in active service until 1811. Her most famous action was the capture of the Ligurienne; shortly after Peterel captured two merchant ships and sent them off with prize crews she was attacked by three French ships and drove two on shore, and captured the 14-gun Ligurienne. She was converted to a receiving ship at Plymouth in 1811 and was sold in 1827.
, and measured 365 tons bm
with a total length of 105ft 1in. She was initially armed with 16 6-pound guns and 4 ½-pounder swivel guns and carried a complement of 121 men. She was later re-armed with sixteen 24-pounder carronade
s on the upper deck, with six 12-pounder carronades on the quarterdeck
and two 12-pounder carronades on the forecastle
. She was ordered on 18 February 1793, she was laid down in May and launched on 4 April 1794. She moved to Chatham
to be fitted-out and have her hull covered with copper plates
between 4 April and July 1794; at her completion she had cost £7,694 to build including fitting.
Stephen Church. He was succeeded in October that year by Commander Edward Leveson-Gower
, who was in turn replaced in July 1795 by Commander Charles Ogle
. Peterel was at this stage assigned to the squadron in the Downs
. Commander John Temple succeeded Ogle in January 1796, and Peterel went out later that year to join Horatio Nelson's
squadron patrolling off Genoa
. Temple was replaced by Commander Philip Wodehouse at some point during this service. Peterels next captain was Commander William Proby, Lord Proby
, who took over in March 1797 though by August that year he had been replaced by Commander Thomas Caulfield. At some later stage she was commanded by Lieutenant Adam Drummond, who was followed by Commander Henry Digby
. Under Digby's command Peterel was involved in the capture of the 12-gun French privateer
Léopard on 30 April 1798. Digby's replacement in October that year was to be Commander Hugh Downman
, but in November Captain George Long was in command, serving with John Duckworth's squadron at Minorca
.
. One of the Spanish ships fired a broadside after she surrendered. After removing the prisoners from the ship, the Spanish plundered their clothes and possessions, murdering a seaman who attempted to defend his property.
Following the Capture of Minorca
by the British expedition under Commodore John Duckworth, the Spanish squadron fell in with a large British squadron, and were forced to abandon the Peterel in their escape. She was recaptured the next day by . Most of the clothes belonging to Captain
Long and his officers were subsequently recovered. This charge of ill-usage was officially contradicted in the Madrid
Gazette of 12 April, but was, nevertheless, essentially true. The Spanish squadron, already being chased the next day by several British ships, completely outsailed their pursuers and returned to Cartagena with the prisoners. After a detention of 14 days at Cartagena
, Lieutenant Staines and his fellow prisoners were embarked in a merchant brig bound to Malaga
; but they did not arrive there until 24 December, a westerly wind having obliged the vessel to anchor off Almeria
, where she was detained upwards of three weeks, and her passengers confined on shore during that period. From Malaga, the British were marched to Gibraltar
, under a strong escort of soldiers, who treated both officers and men with great brutality, but particularly Lieutenant Staines, who received a sabre wound in the wrist, whilst parrying a blow which one of those soldiers had aimed at his head. On their arrival at the rock, a court-martial was assembled to investigate the circumstances attending their capture by the Spanish squadron; and as no blame could be attached to any individual, the whole of them were sent back to the Peterel immediately after their acquittal.
, the brother of author Jane Austen
and future Admiral of the Fleet
, was in command.
In March 1800, Peterel was sailing near Marseille
with the frigate . On 21 March, Peterel spotted a large convoy with three escorts: the brig-sloop Ligurienne armed with fourteen 6-pounders and two 36-pounder carronade
s, the corvette Cerf and the xebec
Lejoille. Peterel captured two merchant ships and sent them off with prize crews; later that afternoon the escorts caught up to Peterel and attacked. The Mermaid was nearby but was a great distance to leeward and was unable to assist, and single-handedly Peterel drove the Cerf and Lejoille on shore, and after a 90 minute battle captured the Ligurienne with the French commander and one sailor killed and two sailors wounded and no British casualties. The Cerf was a total loss but the Lejoille was salvaged.
Austen had been replaced by Commander Charles Inglis
in June 1800, and went on to take part in operations against the French forces in Egypt. From April 1802 until 1809 Peterel was under Commander John Lamborn, during which time she served in the West Indies. She captured a small privateer on the Jamaica
station on 23 January 1805, and the 5-gun Spanish privateer Santa Anna off Cuba
on 13 May 1805. Peterel was fitted as a receiving ship at Plymouth
in August 1811 and served until 1825. Peterel was sold to Joshua Crystall at Plymouth for £730 on 11 July 1827.
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...
. She was launched on 4 April 1794 and was in active service until 1811. Her most famous action was the capture of the Ligurienne; shortly after Peterel captured two merchant ships and sent them off with prize crews she was attacked by three French ships and drove two on shore, and captured the 14-gun Ligurienne. She was converted to a receiving ship at Plymouth in 1811 and was sold in 1827.
Design and construction
Peterel was part of the six ship Pylades-class ship-sloops designed by Sir John Henslow. Peterel was built by John Wilson & Company of FrindsburyFrindsbury
Frindsbury is part of the Medway Towns conurbation in Kent, southern England. It lies on the opposite side of the River Medway to Rochester, and at various times in its history has been considered fully or partially part of the City of Rochester. Frindsbury refers to both a parish and a manor....
, and measured 365 tons bm
Builder's Old Measurement
Builder's Old Measurement is the method of calculating the size or cargo capacity of a ship used in England from approximately 1720 to 1849. It estimated the tonnage of a ship based on length and maximum beam...
with a total length of 105ft 1in. She was initially armed with 16 6-pound guns and 4 ½-pounder swivel guns and carried a complement of 121 men. She was later re-armed with sixteen 24-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 on the upper deck, with six 12-pounder carronades on the quarterdeck
Quarterdeck
The quarterdeck is that part of a warship designated by the commanding officer for official and ceremonial functions. In port, the quarterdeck is the most important place on the ship, and is the central control point for all its major activities. Underway, its importance diminishes as control of...
and two 12-pounder carronades on the forecastle
Forecastle
Forecastle refers to the upper deck of a sailing ship forward of the foremast, or the forward part of a ship with the sailors' living quarters...
. She was ordered on 18 February 1793, she was laid down in May and launched on 4 April 1794. She moved to Chatham
Chatham Dockyard
Chatham Dockyard, located on the River Medway and of which two-thirds is in Gillingham and one third in Chatham, Kent, England, came into existence at the time when, following the Reformation, relations with the Catholic countries of Europe had worsened, leading to a requirement for additional...
to be fitted-out and have her hull covered with copper plates
Copper sheathing
Copper sheathing was the practice of protecting the under-water hull of a ship or boat through the use of copper plates affixed to the outside of the hull. It was pioneered and developed by the Royal Navy during the 18th century.-Development:...
between 4 April and July 1794; at her completion she had cost £7,694 to build including fitting.
Service
Peterel was commissioned in April 1794 under her first captain, CommanderCommander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
Stephen Church. He was succeeded in October that year by Commander Edward Leveson-Gower
Edward Leveson-Gower
Edward Frederick Leveson-Gower DL, JP , styled The Honourable from birth, was a British barrister and Liberal politician...
, who was in turn replaced in July 1795 by Commander Charles Ogle
Sir Charles Ogle, 2nd Baronet
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Ogle, 2nd Baronet was an officer in the Royal Navy.-Naval career:Born the eldest son of Admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle, 1st Baronet, Ogle joined the Royal Navy in 1787....
. Peterel was at this stage assigned to the squadron in the Downs
The Downs
The Downs are a roadstead or area of sea in the southern North Sea near the English Channel off the east Kent coast, between the North and the South Foreland in southern England. In 1639 the Battle of the Downs took place here, when the Dutch navy destroyed a Spanish fleet which had sought refuge...
. Commander John Temple succeeded Ogle in January 1796, and Peterel went out later that year to join Horatio Nelson's
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
squadron patrolling off Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
. Temple was replaced by Commander Philip Wodehouse at some point during this service. Peterels next captain was Commander William Proby, Lord Proby
William Proby, Lord Proby
William Allen Proby, Lord Proby was a British Royal Navy officer and Whig politician.-Background and education:...
, who took over in March 1797 though by August that year he had been replaced by Commander Thomas Caulfield. At some later stage she was commanded by Lieutenant Adam Drummond, who was followed by Commander Henry Digby
Henry Digby (Royal Navy officer)
Admiral of the Blue Sir Henry Digby GCB was a senior British naval officer, who served in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars in the Royal Navy...
. Under Digby's command Peterel was involved in the capture of the 12-gun French privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
Léopard on 30 April 1798. Digby's replacement in October that year was to be Commander Hugh Downman
Hugh Downman
Hugh Downman was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, eventually rising to the rank of Admiral....
, but in November Captain George Long was in command, serving with John Duckworth's squadron at Minorca
Minorca
Min Orca or Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It takes its name from being smaller than the nearby island of Majorca....
.
Capture and recapture
Carrying 26 guns, On 13 November 1798 she was captured by the Spanish 40-gun frigate Flora in company with the 40-gun Proserpina and the 34-gun ships Pomona and Casilda, whilst operating off MinorcaMinorca
Min Orca or Menorca is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. It takes its name from being smaller than the nearby island of Majorca....
. One of the Spanish ships fired a broadside after she surrendered. After removing the prisoners from the ship, the Spanish plundered their clothes and possessions, murdering a seaman who attempted to defend his property.
Following the Capture of Minorca
Capture of Minorca
In November 1798 a British expedition captured the island of Minorca from Spain. A large force under General John Stuart landed on the island and forced its Spanish garrison to surrender in eight days with only some bloodshed...
by the British expedition under Commodore John Duckworth, the Spanish squadron fell in with a large British squadron, and were forced to abandon the Peterel in their escape. She was recaptured the next day by . Most of the clothes belonging to Captain
Captain (Royal Navy)
Captain is a senior officer rank of the Royal Navy. It ranks above Commander and below Commodore and has a NATO ranking code of OF-5. The rank is equivalent to a Colonel in the British Army or Royal Marines and to a Group Captain in the Royal Air Force. The rank of Group Captain is based on the...
Long and his officers were subsequently recovered. This charge of ill-usage was officially contradicted in the Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
Gazette of 12 April, but was, nevertheless, essentially true. The Spanish squadron, already being chased the next day by several British ships, completely outsailed their pursuers and returned to Cartagena with the prisoners. After a detention of 14 days at Cartagena
Cartagena
-Colombia:*Cartagena, Colombia, a city in the Bolivar Region, the largest city bearing this name*Cartagena de Chairá, Colombia-Other:*Cartagena *Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety*FC Cartagena, a football club based in Cartagena, Spain-See also:...
, Lieutenant Staines and his fellow prisoners were embarked in a merchant brig bound to Malaga
Málaga
Málaga is a city and a municipality in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, Spain. With a population of 568,507 in 2010, it is the second most populous city of Andalusia and the sixth largest in Spain. This is the southernmost large city in Europe...
; but they did not arrive there until 24 December, a westerly wind having obliged the vessel to anchor off Almeria
Almería
Almería is a city in Andalusia, Spain, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is the capital of the province of the same name.-Toponym:Tradition says that the name Almería stems from the Arabic المرية Al-Mariyya: "The Mirror", comparing it to "The Mirror of the Sea"...
, where she was detained upwards of three weeks, and her passengers confined on shore during that period. From Malaga, the British were marched to Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
, under a strong escort of soldiers, who treated both officers and men with great brutality, but particularly Lieutenant Staines, who received a sabre wound in the wrist, whilst parrying a blow which one of those soldiers had aimed at his head. On their arrival at the rock, a court-martial was assembled to investigate the circumstances attending their capture by the Spanish squadron; and as no blame could be attached to any individual, the whole of them were sent back to the Peterel immediately after their acquittal.
Resumed service
Commander George Jones took over after Peterel had been taken back into service in February 1799, though by July Francis AustenFrancis Austen
Sir Francis William Austen, GCB was a British officer who spent most of his long life on active duty in the Royal Navy, rising to the position of Admiral of the Fleet.-Background:...
, the brother of author Jane Austen
Jane Austen
Jane Austen was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction, set among the landed gentry, earned her a place as one of the most widely read writers in English literature, her realism and biting social commentary cementing her historical importance among scholars and critics.Austen lived...
and future Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)
Admiral of the fleet is the highest rank of the British Royal Navy and other navies, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-10. The rank still exists in the Royal Navy but routine appointments ceased in 1996....
, was in command.
In March 1800, Peterel was sailing near Marseille
Marseille
Marseille , known in antiquity as Massalia , is the second largest city in France, after Paris, with a population of 852,395 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Marseille extends beyond the city limits with a population of over 1,420,000 on an area of...
with the frigate . On 21 March, Peterel spotted a large convoy with three escorts: the brig-sloop Ligurienne armed with fourteen 6-pounders and two 36-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, the corvette Cerf and the xebec
Xebec
A xebec , also spelled zebec, was a Mediterranean sailing ship that was used mostly for trading. It would have a long overhanging bowsprit and protruding mizzen mast...
Lejoille. Peterel captured two merchant ships and sent them off with prize crews; later that afternoon the escorts caught up to Peterel and attacked. The Mermaid was nearby but was a great distance to leeward and was unable to assist, and single-handedly Peterel drove the Cerf and Lejoille on shore, and after a 90 minute battle captured the Ligurienne with the French commander and one sailor killed and two sailors wounded and no British casualties. The Cerf was a total loss but the Lejoille was salvaged.
Austen had been replaced by Commander Charles Inglis
Charles Inglis (d. 1833)
Charles Inglis was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, rising to the rank of post-captain....
in June 1800, and went on to take part in operations against the French forces in Egypt. From April 1802 until 1809 Peterel was under Commander John Lamborn, during which time she served in the West Indies. She captured a small privateer on the Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
station on 23 January 1805, and the 5-gun Spanish privateer Santa Anna off Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
on 13 May 1805. Peterel was fitted as a receiving ship at Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
in August 1811 and served until 1825. Peterel was sold to Joshua Crystall at Plymouth for £730 on 11 July 1827.