Abondance (1780 ship) facts for kids
class="infobox " style="float: right; clear: right; width: 315px; border-spacing: 2px; text-align: left; font-size: 90%;"
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; line-height: 1.5em;" | _RMG_J6830.png)
|} The Abondance was a French cargo ship, also known as a gabare. She was built in 1780. The British Royal Navy captured her in 1781.
After her capture, she became a troop transport and supply ship for the British. She was renamed HMS Abondance. The ship was later sold in 1784 and became a merchant ship.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 France |
|
| Name | Abondance |
| Namesake | Abundance |
| Builder | Jean-Joseph Ginoux, Le Havre |
| Laid down | January 1780 |
| Launched | 16 September 1780 |
| Captured | 12 December 1781 |
 Great Britain |
|
| Name | HMS Abondance |
| Acquired | 12 December 1781 by capture |
| Fate | Sold 1784 |
 Great Britain |
|
| Name | Abondance |
| Acquired | 1784 by purchase |
| Fate | No longer listed in 1786 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Baleine-class gabare |
| Tons burthen | 524, or 52650⁄94, or 600 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 29 ft 5+3⁄4 in (9.0 m) |
| Depth of hold | 11 ft 9 in (3.6 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Complement |
|
| Armament |
|
The Ship's Early Life and Capture
Building the Abondance
The Abondance was built in Le Havre, France. She was launched in September 1780. This means she was ready to sail that year.
A Voyage to the Antilles
In December 1781, the Abondance set sail. She was part of a large French convoy heading to the Antilles. The Antilles are islands in the Caribbean Sea.
The ship was carrying 248 soldiers. She also had weapons, supplies, and food on board. Her captain was a man named M. Dupuis.
A Surprise Attack at Sea
On December 12, 1781, a British fleet appeared. It was led by Admiral Richard Kempenfelt. The British ships found the French convoy in the Bay of Biscay.
A temporary break in the fog allowed the British to see the French ships. Admiral Kempenfelt quickly attacked the cargo ships. The French warships were not in a good position to defend them.
The British managed to capture 15 French transport ships. The Abondance was one of them. Some other ships were destroyed. The rest of the French convoy scattered and fled back to port.
Abondance in British Service
After her capture, the Royal Navy took the Abondance to Plymouth, England. She was then added to the British fleet. They called her HMS Abondance.
The British classified her as a "sixth-rate" ship. This meant she was a smaller warship. She was equipped with 28 guns.
Trips to North America
In April 1783, Lieutenant N. Phillips became her captain. She sailed to North America in May. The ship made several important journeys.
She helped transport Black Loyalists to Halifax. Black Loyalists were people of African descent. They had supported the British during the American Revolutionary War.
One famous passenger was Moses Wilkinson, a preacher. In November, the Abondance helped evacuate the last group of Black Loyalists from New York. This group included about 80 members of the "Black Brigade."
Lieutenant Phillips finished his command of the Abondance in March 1784. The Royal Navy then decided to sell the ship. She was sold on April 29, 1784, for £2,200.
Life as a Merchant Ship
After being sold, the Abondance became a merchant ship. She was listed in Lloyd's Register in 1784. This register tracks merchant ships.
Her master was T. Eve, and her owner was L. Teffier. She was used for trade between London and Ostend. Ostend is a city in Belgium. The Abondance was no longer listed in the register after 1786.
Images for kids
-
Abondance
