HMS Bermuda (1805) facts for kids
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Bermuda
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Bermuda |
| Ordered | 1803 |
| Launched | 1805 |
| Fate | Wrecked on 22 April 1808 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Bermuda-class sloop |
| Tons burthen | 399 (bm) |
| Length | 107 ft (32.6 m) |
| Beam | 29 ft 11 in (9.12 m) |
| Draught | 14 ft 8 in (4.47 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Complement | 121 |
| Armament | 16 × 24-pounder carronades + 2 × 9-pounder bow chasers |
HMS Bermuda was a special kind of warship called an 18-gun sloop. She belonged to the Royal Navy, which is the navy of the United Kingdom.
Building a Speedy Sloop
Bermuda was built in Bermuda in 1805. She was made from a strong wood called Bermuda cedar. This ship was the first of her kind, meaning she was the lead ship for a new design.
Her design was an improved version of an older ship class called the Dasher sloops. Eventually, six ships were built using this new Bermuda design.
A Short Time at Sea
Bermuda was launched, or put into the water for the first time, in 1805. In October of that year, she was officially commissioned. This means she was ready for duty with her crew.
Her first commander was William Henry Byam. He had previously commanded another ship, HMS Busy, which was serving in the North America and West Indies area.
Sadly, HMS Bermuda was only in service for about three years.
The Final Voyage
On April 22, 1808, HMS Bermuda was sailing and looking for a rich Portuguese ship. During the night, she accidentally hit a hidden reef near Memory Rock, Little Bermuda. The ship got stuck.
The next morning, Captain Byam saw another ship stuck about five miles away. It turned out to be the Concepcion, the very Portuguese ship they were searching for!
Bermuda could not be pulled free from the reef. However, the Concepcion could be moved. Captain Byam and his crew quickly captured the Portuguese ship. They sailed it to New Providence on April 26, arriving on May 4.
Before leaving the wrecked Bermuda, they left some crew members to guard the supplies. Five sailors also used this chance to leave the ship in a small boat. Later, rescuers returned to the wreck to save what they could. They finally left the wreck on June 3. A special naval hearing, called a court martial, decided that a very strong ocean current caused the ship to be lost.
After this event, Captain Byam went on to command another ship, HMS Opossum.
