HMS Albacore (1793) facts for kids
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Plans of the Albacore
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Albacore |
| Namesake | Albacore |
| Ordered | 18 February 1793 |
| Builder | John Randall & Co., Rotherhithe |
| Laid down | April 1793 |
| Launched | 19 November 1793 |
| Fate | Sold 1802 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Pylades-class ship–sloop |
| Tons burthen | 36578⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 28 ft 2 in (8.6 m) |
| Depth of hold | 13 ft 6 in (4.1 m) |
| Complement | 125 (121 later) |
| Armament |
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HMS Albacore (sometimes called Albicore) was a ship launched in 1793. She was built in a place called Rotherhithe. This ship was part of the Royal Navy and was known for capturing several enemy ships. These included privateers and a French corvette. Albacore served for about nine years before she was sold in 1802.
Contents
Adventures of HMS Albacore
Early Voyages and Commanders
Albacore started her service in November 1793. Her first commander was George Parker. His job was to take the ship out on cruises. Later, in June 1795, Richard Fellowes took command. The ship was part of the squadron in the Downs.
Soon after, Philip Wodehouse became the commander. He was promoted to a higher rank, called post captain, on December 23. In January 1796, Commander George Eyre took over.
Journey to Jamaica
On January 7, 1796, Albacore set sail for Jamaica. This was a common destination for British naval ships. Commander Eyre was also promoted to post captain in February. After him, Commander Robert Winthrop became the ship's commander.
Capturing Enemy Ships
Albacore and another ship, HMS Invincible, were protecting a group of merchant ships (a convoy) heading to the West Indies. On April 1, they met a French privateer ship called Alexander. A privateer was a private ship allowed by its government to attack enemy ships.
The Alexander had 10 guns and 66 crew members. It had already captured a ship called Signior Montcalm. Captain Cayley, from Invincible, sent Albacore and Signior Montcalm to Madeira. They were ordered to rejoin the convoy as soon as possible.
On May 3, Albacore chased and captured a French corvette named Athénienne. A corvette was a small, fast warship. The chase lasted 14 hours! Athénienne had 14 guns, but its crew threw 10 of them overboard during the chase to make the ship lighter and faster. The Royal Navy later used Athénienne as their own ship.
Albacore also helped capture St. Lucia on May 24. For this, the crew received prize money in June 1800. Prize money was a reward given to sailors for capturing enemy ships or property.
Commander Winthrop later helped on another ship, HMS Alfred. He assisted in capturing the French frigate Renommée on July 13.
More Patrols and Captures
On January 17, 1797, Albacore sailed to Jamaica again. In February, Commander Samuel Forster was in charge.
On October 7, Albacore arrived in Jamaica with a captured privateer called Nantaise. This ship had three guns. Albacore also captured a few other small privateers. One was a fast schooner with three guns and 56 men. Another was a small row-boat armed with swivel guns and small weapons.
In November 1798, Commander Thomas White commanded Albacore while she was stationed in Jamaica. He stayed in command until June 1799.
A Daring Attack
In May 1799, Albacores smaller boats chased a Spanish ship called a settee into a bay near Santiago de Cuba. The settee's crew fought back, and Albacores boats had to retreat.
However, Lieutenant Robert Ramsey, a senior officer, got permission to try again. He led the attack, landed on shore, and drove away the enemy. They only lost two men. They successfully brought out the settee, which had 30 men armed with small weapons.
In October, Lieutenant John Chilcott took over command in Jamaica. Albacore returned to Portsmouth, England, on September 10, 1801.
The End of Albacore's Service
The Royal Navy decided to sell Albacore. On January 20, 1802, she was offered for sale. The announcement described her as the "Albacore Sloop, 336 Tons, Copper-fastened, lying at Sheerness." This meant her hull was covered in copper to protect it from worms and barnacles. After a busy career, Albacore was sold.
