HMS Prospero was a 14-gun Crocus-class brig of the Royal Navy, launched in 1809. She captured a handful of small vessels, including one privateer. The Navy sold her in 1816 for breaking up.
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Prospero |
| Ordered | 23 March 1808 |
| Builder | Woolwich Dockyard (M/s Edward Sison) |
| Laid down | August 1808 |
| Launched | 9 November 1809 |
| Fate | Sold 30 May 1816 |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Class and type | Crocus-class brig-sloop |
| Type | Brig-sloop |
| Tons burthen | 25141⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 25 ft 6 in (7.8 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft 8 in (3.9 m) |
| Sail plan | Brig rigged |
| Complement | 86 |
| Armament |
|
| Notes | Some of Prospero's floor timbers and futtocks were made from Holstein oak. |
Career
editCommander John Hardy Godby was appointed to command of Prospero on 18 November 1809.[2] On 16 April 1810 she sailed with the Halifax convoy. Between 1811 and 1813 she served on the North Sea Station.[1]
On 17 February 1811, Prospero destroyed a Danish privateer cutter, of two guns and 25 men, near Christiansand, on the coast of Norway.[2] The Navy paid head money for the crew of the privateer in 1832.[a]
On 10 March 1812 Prospero was in company with HMS Acquilon, Raven, and the Hired armed cutter Princess Augusta at the capture of the American brig John.[4]
On 16 March Prospero was in company with Acquilon and Raven at the capture of the Danish vessel Sarah Christina.[5]
HMS Cretan and Leveret were in company on 28 February 1813 at the capture of Emnenitts; Prospero shared by agreement.
Cretan and Leveret were in company on 12 (or 15) March 1813 and so shared in the proceeds of the capture of the Danish vessel Aurora.[6] Two days later, Cretan and Raven captured Anna Brouer;[7] Prospero shared by agreement. That same day Prospero captured Najaden; Cretan and Raven shared in the proceeds by agreement.[8]
On 29 March Prospero captured Quatres Freres; Raven shared by agreement in the proceeds.
Commander Godby was promoted to post captain on 27 June 1814.[2] Commander George Greensill re-commissioned Prospero in August.[1]
Fate
editThe "Principal Officers and Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy" offered Prospero for sale on 18 April 1816 at Woolwich.[9] She finally sold on 30 May for £720 for breaking up.[1]
Notes, citations, & references
editNotes
Citations
- ^ a b c d Winfield (2008), p. 310.
- ^ a b c Marshall (1829), p. 396.
- ^ "No. 18981". The London Gazette. 2 October 1832. p. 2192.
- ^ "No. 16678". The London Gazette. 5 December 1812. p. 2455.
- ^ "No. 16671". The London Gazette. 21 November 1812. p. 2350.
- ^ "No. 16810". The London Gazette. 20 November 1813. p. 2310.
- ^ "No. 16823". The London Gazette. 11 December 1813. p. 2497.
- ^ "No. 16850". The London Gazette. 29 January 1814. p. 240.
- ^ "No. 17125". The London Gazette. 6 April 1816. p. 645.
References
- Marshall, John (1829). . Royal Naval Biography. Vol. sup, part 3. London: Longman and company. p. 396.
- Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates (2nd ed.). Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-246-7.