HMS Babet (1794) facts for kids
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HMS Babet was a 20-gun ship of the British Royal Navy. Before joining the British fleet, she was a corvette (a small warship) named Babet in the French Navy. The British captured her in 1794 during the French Revolutionary Wars. As HMS Babet, she helped capture several enemy ships and was part of the Battle of Groix. Sadly, she disappeared in the Caribbean Sea in 1800 and was likely lost in a storm.
| History | |
|---|---|
 France |
|
| Name | Babet |
| Builder | Pierre Mauger |
| Laid down | September 1792 |
| Launched | 12 February 1793 |
| Commissioned | May 1793 |
| Captured | By April 1794 |
.svg){kind=small} Great Britain |
|
| Name | HMS Babet |
| Acquired | April 1794 by capture |
| Honours and awards |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "23rd June 1795" |
| Fate | Lost at sea in October/November 1800 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 20-gun sixth-rate post ship |
| Type | Prompte-clas corvette |
| Displacement | 603 tons (French) |
| Tons burthen | 511 1⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 31 ft 1 in (9.5 m) |
| Depth of hold | 9 ft 4+1⁄2 in (2.9 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| General characteristics (French service) | |
| Complement | some 178 men (c. 200 at capture) |
| Armament |
|
| General characteristics (British service | |
| Complement | 165 men (later 170) |
| Armament |
|
Babet in French Service
Babet was built in Le Havre, France. She was one of two ships in the Prompte class. These ships were designed by Joseph-Marie-Blaise Coulomb.
Building and Early Days
Her sister ship, Prompte, was captured by the British ship HMS Phaeton in May 1793. Babet herself began construction in September 1792. She was launched on 12 December 1793 and was ready for duty by May 1793.
Babet had a short career with the French Navy. Her first commander was Lieutenant Rolland. Later, Pierre-Joseph-Paul Belhomme took command in October 1793.
Babet's Capture by the British
Under Belhomme's command, Babet sailed along the French coast. She was part of a group of French ships. This group included two larger ships called frigates, Pomone and Engageante.
On 23 April 1794, a British fleet led by John Borlase Warren attacked the French ships. This battle happened off the Île de Batz island. The British ships HMS Flora and HMS Arethusa captured Babet.
Babet was then taken to Portsmouth, England. About 30 to 40 of her crew were killed or wounded during the fight. The British ships also had some casualties.
Babet in British Service
After her capture, Babet was officially added to the British Royal Navy on 19 June 1794. She was prepared for service and joined Lord Howe's fleet.
New Commanders and First Battle
Captain John Murray first commanded Babet for the British. In April 1795, Captain Joshua Mulock took over. The ship was refitted at Portsmouth, which cost £2,544.
Later, Captain Edward Codrington became her commander. This was his first command after becoming a post captain (a senior naval rank).
Codrington sailed Babet to join Lord Bridport's fleet. On 23 June 1795, Babet was part of the Battle of Groix. Many years later, in 1847, sailors who were at this battle could receive a special medal.
Service in the Caribbean
In December 1795, Captain William Lobb took command of Babet. He sailed her to the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean in February 1796.
Babet helped capture Demerara on 23 April 1796 and Berbice on 2 May 1796. These were important victories for the British.
Capturing Enemy Ships
Babet often sailed with other British ships, like Prompte (her former sister ship). Together, they captured many enemy merchant ships and privateers. Privateers were private ships allowed to attack enemy shipping.
For example, in July 1796, Babet and other ships captured the Catherina Christina. They also captured a Danish ship called Eland Fanoe.
In January 1797, Babet and Bellona chased a small French privateer schooner. They tried to capture it, but it was destroyed. They also destroyed another enemy ship that had run aground.
A Daring Capture
Captain Jemmett Mainwaring took command of Babet in June 1797. On 16 January 1798, Babet's smaller boats captured a French schooner named Désirée.
The schooner tried to escape, but the wind died down. Lieutenant Samuel Pym and 24 men from Babet rowed after Désirée in their smaller boats. They fired their cannons and then boarded the schooner.
Désirée had six guns and 46 men. The British lost one man and had five wounded. The French had three killed and 15 wounded. Désirée had been attacking American ships.
Later Actions and Disappearance
Babet was refitted in Portsmouth between July and December 1798. This cost £5,194. In December, she recaptured an American ship called Helena.
In 1799, Babet captured two French fishing boats. She also helped capture other ships with Harpy.
Babet took part in the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland in 1799. She even served as a temporary flagship for Vice-Admiral Andrew Mitchell. She was involved in the capture of Dutch ships and the Vlieter Incident.
In July 1800, Babet was among the ships that shared in the prize money after Dart captured the French frigate Desirée.
The Final Voyage
Babet left Spithead, England, on 14 September 1800. She arrived in Martinique in the Caribbean on 24 October. The next day, she sailed for Jamaica.
Sadly, Babet was never seen again. It is believed she was lost at sea during a powerful tropical storm. General John Knox, who was traveling to Jamaica to become Governor, was a passenger on Babet and was also lost.
See also
- List of people who disappeared mysteriously at sea
- List of ships captured in the 18th century
