HMS America (1810) facts for kids
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America
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS America |
| Ordered | 22 August 1807 |
| Builder | Perry, Blackwall Yard |
| Launched | 21 April 1810 |
| Fate | Broken up, 1867 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Vengeur-class ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 1758 bm |
| Length | 176 ft (54 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 47 ft 6 in (14.48 m) |
| Depth of hold | 21 ft (6.4 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMS America was a powerful warship of the Royal Navy, built in 1810. It was a "74-gun ship," meaning it carried 74 cannons! This made it a "third-rate ship of the line," a common type of large warship in those days. It was launched from Blackwall Yard in England.
Contents
HMS America was a ship of the line, a type of large warship used by navies in the age of sail. These ships were designed to fight in a "line of battle," where they would sail in a long line to fire their cannons at enemy ships. America was a 74-gun ship, which was a standard size for these powerful vessels.
A Battle in the Mediterranean
In 1812, HMS America was part of a British group of ships. This group included the frigate Curacoa and the smaller ship Swallow. They were sailing in the Mediterranean Sea.
Chasing a French Convoy
On June 11, the British ships found a French convoy. A convoy is a group of merchant ships traveling together for safety, usually with warships protecting them. This French convoy had 14 merchant ships and several gunboats. It was also protected by two French warships: the brig-corvette Renard (with 16 guns) and the schooner Goéland (with 12 guns).
The British ships chased the French convoy. On June 15, they forced the French ships to hide near an island called Île Sainte-Marguerite. The next day, Swallow went closer to check out the situation. The two larger British ships, including America, had to stay further away because the water was too shallow for them.
A Fierce Fight
When the French warships saw Swallow stuck in calm waters, they came out to fight. But then the wind picked up, and they turned back. They took their convoy to Fréjus, another safe spot. At Fréjus, the French warships picked up more soldiers to help them fight. Then, they turned around to attack Swallow.
A tough battle followed, but neither side won clearly. Swallow eventually pulled back to join HMS America and the other larger British ship, which were now coming closer. The French ships, Renard and Goéland, went back to their convoy.
Casualties of Battle
The battle was costly for Swallow. Six of its sailors were killed, and 17 were wounded. Renard had 94 crew members, but they had doubled their numbers with soldiers from Fréjus. Renard lost 14 men killed and 28 wounded, including its captain. The Goéland had 113 men, but its losses are not known. It did not fight as much as Renard.
Changes and New Missions
In 1827, HMS America was changed. It was "cut down into a fourth rate" ship. This means it was made smaller and had fewer guns. It was still a strong warship, but not as large as it once was.
To the Pacific Northwest
In 1845, there were growing disagreements between the United States and the United Kingdom over land in the Pacific Northwest. This was called the Oregon boundary dispute. Because of these tensions, HMS America was sent to that region.
After leaving the Straits of Juan de Fuca on October 1, America sailed to the Kingdom of Hawaii. Then it went to the main British naval base in the Pacific, called the Pacific Station, located in Valparaíso, Chile.
A Captain's Decision
While at the Pacific Station, Captain John Gordon made a decision. He ordered valuable cargo from another ship, HMS Daphne, to be moved to his ship. He then left to deliver this cargo to the United Kingdom.
This decision was seen as a problem. Captain Gordon had removed the second most powerful British warship from the Pacific coast during a time of high tension. Because of this, he faced a special naval trial called a court-martial. He was officially told off for his actions.
End of Service
HMS America served the Royal Navy for many years. In 1867, the ship was broken up. This means it was taken apart, usually for its materials to be reused.
