The Dutch brig Pijl was launched on 19 May 1785 at Amsterdam for the navy of the Dutch Republic.[1] Records exist of her escorting East Indiamen of the Dutch East India Company to Batavia, arriving on 12 February 1787.
| History | |
|---|---|
 Dutch Republic | |
| Name | Pijl |
| Builder | Amsterdam |
| Laid down | 4 December 1784 |
| Launched | 19 May 1785 |
| Fate | Seized 4 March 1796 |
 Great Britain | |
| Name | HMS Pyl |
| Acquired | 1796 by seizure |
| Fate | Sold 1801 |
| General characteristics [1][2] | |
| Tons burthen | 200 (bm)[2] |
| Length | 80' (Amsterdam foot)[a] |
| Beam | 25' |
| Depth of hold | Dutch: 15¼' |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Brig |
| Complement |
|
| Armament |
|
In 1795 at the time of the Batavian Revolution the British Admiralty sent a messenger to Plymouth on 20 January 1795 to detain all Dutch vessels in Port. There were six naval vessels; Pijl among them. There were also six homeward-bound East Indiamen, three outward-bound East Indiamen, and some 60 to 70 other merchant vessels.[3][4] Vice Admiral Sir Richard Onslow and the British Royal Navy took possession 4 March 1796. The crews were removed from their vessels and taken to prison ships.[5] In September orders arrived at Plymouth that the Dutch naval vessels be equipped for immediate service.[6]
The Navy named and registered Pyl on 25 October 1796, but never commissioned her. She was converted to a fireship in 1798, but never used.[2]
The "Principal officers and commissioners of His Majesty's Navy" offered Pyl for sale on 24 August 1801.[7] She sold 7 September for £765.[2]
Notes edit
- ^ All linear measurements are in Amsterdam feet (voet) of 11 Amsterdam inches (duim) (see Dutch units of measurement). The Amsterdam foot is about 8% shorter than an English foot. The basis of measurement is also different. The data is from Winfield and Van Maanen.[2][1]
Citations edit
- ^ a b c van Maanen (2008), p. 31.
- ^ a b c d e Winfield (2008), p. 290.
- ^ "News". Whitehall Evening Post (1770) (London, England), January 22, 1795 - January 24, 1795; Issue 7519.
- ^ "News". Morning Post and Fashionable World (London, England), 23 January 1795; Issue 7170.
- ^ "News". Gazetteer and New Daily Advertiser (London, England), 8 March 1796; Issue 20 979.
- ^ "Business". London Packet or New Lloyd's Evening Post (London, England), September 16, 1796 - September 19, 1796; Issue 4227.
- ^ "No. 15396". The London Gazette. 11 August 1801. p. 991.
References edit
- van Maanen, Ron (20 June 2008). "Preliminary list of Dutch naval vessel built or required in the period 1700-1799" (PDF).
- Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-246-7.