Dutch ship Minerva (1787) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
  Dutch Republic & Batavian Republic |
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| Name | Minerva |
| Builder | Veere, Zeeland Admiralty |
| Launched | 1787 |
| Captured | 1799 |
 Great Britain |
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| Name | Braak |
| Acquired | 1799 by capture |
| Fate | Sold 1802 |
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | African |
| Acquired | 1802 by purchase |
| Fate | Last listed in 1810; broken up 1817 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type |
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| Type | Brig |
| Tons burthen | 6136⁄94, or 615 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 34 ft 8+1⁄2 in (10.6 m), or 36'5⁄11", or 35 ft 1 in (10.7 m) |
| Depth of hold | 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m), or 13'10⁄11" |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Complement |
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| Armament |
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| Notes | Three decks and three masts |
The Minerva was a ship built in 1787 for the navy of the Dutch Republic. She was a type of ship called a brig, which is a sailing ship with two masts. Over her lifetime, she had several names and roles. In 1799, the Royal Navy captured her and renamed her HMS Braak. Later, she was sold and became a whaler (a ship used for hunting whales) named Africaine, African, or Africa. She made at least two long voyages to hunt whales.
Contents
Minerva Captured by the British
The Minerva was serving in the Dutch navy when she was captured. On August 28, 1799, a group of British ships led by Admiral Mitchel found and took control of Minerva. This happened near a place called New Diep, off the coast of Texel.
HMS Braak: A New Name
After being captured, Minerva was brought to Sheerness, England, on May 3, 1800. The Royal Navy decided to use her and gave her a new name: HMS Braak. This name had been used before for another ship that was lost in 1798. The Braak was prepared for service between July 1800 and September 1801.
Captain John Mason Lewis took command of Braak in August 1801. However, the ship didn't stay in the Royal Navy for very long. In 1802, the Navy decided to sell her. This was around the time of the Treaty of Amiens, which brought a short period of peace. The Braak was offered for sale on September 9, 1802, and was sold soon after.
African: A Whaling Ship
Starting a New Life as a Whaler
A ship owner named Daniel Bennett bought the Braak. He changed her name again, calling her Africaine, though she was also known as Africa or African. She then became a whaler, a ship specially designed to hunt whales for their oil and other products.
The ship first appeared in Lloyd's Register (a list of ships) in 1803 as African. Her captain was R. Jones, and her owner was Bennett. Her job was to sail from London to the South Seas, which was a common area for whaling.
First Whaling Voyage
Captain Ransom Jones set sail from England on February 4, 1803. His destination was the Isle of Desolation, a remote island known for its whaling grounds. He returned on May 22, 1804, with a large amount of whale oil, reported to be 7,000 barrels.
Second Whaling Voyage and an Escape
Captain Ransom Jones began his second whaling trip on August 18, 1804, heading back to the Isle of Desolation. The ship was reported to be doing well there on February 25, 1805.
On August 3, 1805, the African left Saint Helena as part of a group of ships called a convoy. They were being protected by a British warship, HMS Calcutta. On September 26, while in the English Channel, the convoy met a French naval group led by Admiral Allemand.
The Calcutta bravely ordered the other ships in the convoy to sail towards England while she fought the French ships. The French eventually captured the Calcutta, but because of her sacrifice, the rest of the convoy, including African, was able to escape.
A French warship chased African for some time. However, the African was a very fast ship and managed to get away by "superior sailing." She reached Falmouth safely and returned to her home port on October 4, 1805. She brought back 70,000 seal skins and more oil.
What Happened to African?
The African was last listed in Lloyd's Register in 1810. However, the information about her hadn't changed since 1805, suggesting she might not have made any more voyages. One report says that the ship was taken apart, or "broken up," in 1817, and her official registration was canceled.
