Dutch corvette Waakzaamheid (1786) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Dutch Republic |
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| Operator | Admiralty Noorderkwartier |
| Builder | J. Hand, Enkhuizen |
| Launched | 1786 |
| Captured | 23 May 1794 |
 France |
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| Name | Vigilance |
| Acquired | 23 May 1794 by capture |
| Fate | Sold 1795 |
 Batavian Republic |
|
| Name | Waazaamheid |
| Acquired | 1795 by purchase |
| Captured | 24 October 1798 |
 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Waaksaamheidt |
| Acquired | 24 October 1798 by capture |
| Fate | Sold September 1802 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type |
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| Tons burthen | 50384⁄94, or 504 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Depth | 129⁄11 (Dutch) |
| Depth of hold | 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m) |
| Complement |
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| Armament |
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The Dutch corvette Waakzaamheid was a warship launched in 1786. This ship had an exciting history, changing hands between different navies! First, the French Navy captured her in 1794 and called her Vigilance. She even helped capture many British merchant ships off the coast of Africa. Later, in 1795, the French gave her back to the Dutch, who were then known as the Batavian Republic. The Dutch Navy went back to calling her Waakzaamheid. But her journey wasn't over! In 1798, the British Royal Navy captured her. She then served as HMS Waaksaamheid until she was sold in 1802.
Contents
A Ship's Journey: From Dutch to British Service
This section tells the story of the ship Waakzaamheid and how it served different countries.
Waakzaamheid: The Dutch Beginning
The ship Waakzaamheid was built and launched in 1786 in a place called Enkhuizen. At first, she served the Dutch Republic.
Vigilance: Under French Command
On May 23, 1794, the French Navy captured Waakzaamheid. They decided to rename her Vigilance. After this, she joined a group of French warships.
This group sailed to the Guinea Coast, which is in West Africa. Their mission was to attack British trading posts and ships. They captured many vessels, including some from the Sierra Leone Company.
In 1795, the French sold Vigilance to the Batavian Republic. This was a new Dutch state that was allied with France.
Waakzaamheid: Back with the Dutch
Once the ship was back with the Dutch, they changed her name back to Waakzaamheid.
On October 24, 1798, a British ship called HMS Sirius (1797) captured Waakzaamheid near a place called the Texel. The Dutch ship was under the command of Captain Neirrop.
Waakzaamheid had 24 guns on her main deck and two smaller guns on her front deck. She was carrying 100 Dutch sailors and 122 French soldiers. She also had 2,000 guns and other military supplies. The ship did not fight back when captured. Another British ship, Kite, also helped in the capture.
After being captured, Waakzaamheid was taken to Sheerness in England. She spent many months being prepared for service in the British Royal Navy. She was renamed HMS Waaksaamheid.
In August 1800, HMS Waaksaamheid was part of a large British fleet. This fleet went with a special diplomatic group to Copenhagen, a city in Denmark. The fleet returned to Yarmouth in September.
Captain Robert Hall took command of HMS Waaksaamheid in 1800. The ship sailed along the Dutch coast and helped protect other ships.
By October 1801, the ship was waiting to be taken out of service. This happened after the signing of the Treaty of Amiens, which brought peace between Britain and France for a short time.
The Ship's Final Days
The British Navy decided to sell HMS Waaksaamheid. She was offered for sale in August 1802 and then again in September. She was finally sold in September 1802.
Images for kids
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Capture of the Furie & Waakzamheid, 23 October 1798 by Thomas Whitcombe, 1816.
