HMS Amphitrite (1778) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Amphitrite |
| Ordered | 8 January 1777 |
| Builder | Deptford Dockyard |
| Laid down | 2 July 1777 |
| Launched | 28 May 1778 |
| Completed | 22 July 1778 |
| Commissioned | May 1778 |
| Fate | Wrecked on 30 January 1794 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 24-gun Porcupine-class sixth-rate post ship |
| Tons burthen | 51355⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Draught | 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m) |
| Depth of hold | 10 ft 3 in (3.1 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 160 |
| Armament |
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HMS Amphitrite was a 24-gun post ship of the Royal Navy, which is like a smaller warship. She was built to serve during the American Revolution. Her main job was to protect British trade and capture enemy ships. She helped capture many privateer ships, which were private ships allowed to attack enemy vessels. She also captured many American merchant ships. Sadly, Amphitrite was wrecked in early 1794.
Contents
Amphitrite was ordered on January 8, 1777. She was built at Deptford Dockyard in England. Her construction started on July 2, 1777. The ship was launched into the water on May 28, 1778. She officially joined the navy on July 22, 1778. Building and preparing her cost about £12,737.
Ship's Service and Adventures
Amphitrite began her service in May 1778 under Captain Thomas Gaborian. She first worked near the Downs, a busy area for ships.
Early Captures
- On August 15, she captured a French privateer ship named Agneau.
- On May 24, she helped capture two more French privateers, Dunkerque and Prince de Robcq.
- On July 6, Amphitrite and another ship, Rambler, captured a small boat called Samuel and Elizabeth.
Service in North America
In 1780, Captain Robert Biggs took command of Amphitrite. She sailed to North America in May of that year. There, she joined a group of ships led by Admiral Graves.
In June 1781, Admiral Mariot Arbuthnot sent Amphitrite and other ships on an important mission. They were to stop French ships from bringing supplies to Boston.
More Captures and Battles
- On June 30, Amphitrite captured a ship called Adventure.
- On July 30, she helped capture the schooner Neptune.
- On July 7, the ships sent by Admiral Arbuthnot recaptured HMS Atalanta, a British ship that had been taken by the enemy.
On September 7, 1781, Amphitrite helped capture a fast French ship called Belisarius. This ship had 26 guns and 147 men. The Royal Navy later used Belisarius as one of their own ships.
Captain Biggs reported more successes in September. Amphitrite and another ship, General Monk, captured four enemy ships. Biggs also reported that Chatham had captured the French ship Magicienne on September 2. The French lost many men in that battle.
Between August and October 1781, Amphitrite captured several more ships. These included privateers like Experiment and Revenge, and merchant ships carrying goods like tobacco and wood.
Later Service and Prizes
In 1782, Amphitrite continued to be very active.
- Between November 1781 and March 1782, she captured three ships: Betsey, Sally, and Peggy.
- On April 3, Amphitrite and Amphion captured the privateer Franklin.
- Five days later, they captured the ship Gale, which was carrying coffee.
- On April 14, they captured two more ships, Patty and Nymphe, both carrying flour.
On May 2, Amphitrite and Amphion captured three ships heading to Philadelphia. These ships were carrying rum, dry goods, sugar, and coffee.
Amphitrite also captured the Massachusetts privateer Amsterdam on October 19. The British navy later used this ship as Observer.
In November and December 1782, Amphitrite captured many more ships, including Adventure, Rattlesnake, Bellisarius, and Neptune.
She also recaptured the ship Enterprise and captured Vigilante. Amphitrite alone captured several other ships, including Salem Packet, Amsterdam, Dolphin, Minerva, Dove, and Fox.
In January 1783, Amphitrite captured the American ship Apollo. She sent Apollo to New York, where it was sold.
Between the Wars
After the American War of Independence ended, Amphitrite returned to Britain. She was taken out of service in January 1784. The ship underwent repairs between 1783 and 1784. Then, she had a bigger repair from 1790 to 1793 at Woolwich.
French Revolutionary Wars
Amphitrite was brought back into service in April 1793 when the French Revolutionary Wars began. Captain John Child Purvis took command. Later, Captain James Dickinson and then Captain Anthony Hunt commanded her. Captain Hunt sailed her to the Mediterranean Sea to join Vice Admiral Hood's fleet.
The Ship's End
On January 30, 1794, Amphitrite was wrecked. She hit an underwater rock that was not on the maps while entering Leghorn harbor. People tried to save her, but it was too late. The ship was left as a wreck. A navy court later cleared Captain Hunt of any blame for the accident.
