HMS Boreas (1757) facts for kids

Plan showing the quarter deck, forecastle, and section of the cathead for Boreas, a fir-built 28-gun Frigate built at Woolwich Dockyard
Quick facts for kids History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Boreas
Ordered	18 April 1757
Builder	Woolwich Dockyard
Laid down	21 April 1757
Launched	29 July 1757
Completed	6 September 1757
Commissioned	August 1757
Fate	Sold on 29 June 1770
General characteristics
Class and type	Coventry-class sixth-rate frigate
Tons burthen	587 30⁄94 bm
Length	118 ft 5+1⁄2 in (36.1 m) (gundeck) 97 ft 5 in (29.7 m) (keel)
Beam	33 ft 8 in (10.3 m)
Depth of hold	10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Complement	200
Armament	Upper deck: 24 × 9-pounder guns QD: 4 × 3-pounder guns 12 × 1⁄2-pounder swivel guns

HMS Boreas was a 28-gun frigate of the Royal Navy, built in 1757. A frigate was a fast warship with a single deck of guns. Boreas was part of the Coventry-class class of ships.

She was one of five ships in her class made from fir wood instead of the usual oak. Fir was cheaper and faster to build with. Boreas played a role in the Seven Years' War, taking part in two important sea battles. She helped capture the French frigate Diane in 1758. Her most famous moment was capturing the French frigate Sirène in 1760. The ship was sold in 1770.

Building the Boreas

Boreas was built to the same design as HMS Carysfort, (pictured)

The order to build Boreas was given on April 18, 1757. Work began just three days later at Woolwich Dockyard, a major shipbuilding site. She was launched into the water on July 29, 1757, and was fully ready for duty by September 6, 1757.

Building Boreas cost about £6,314. When you add the cost of getting her ready for sea, the total was around £9,193. She was one of five frigates in her class built from fir wood. Fir was cheaper and more common than oak, which meant ships could be built much faster. However, fir wood didn't last as long as oak. Fir-built ships like Boreas typically lasted about eight years, which was three times less than similar ships made from oak.

The ship was named after Boreas, who in Greek mythology was the god of the north wind. This naming style, using figures from ancient myths, became popular for Royal Navy ships around 1748.

Boreas was designed to be strong and carry many guns. She had a wide hull, which meant plenty of space for supplies and a large storage area for gunpowder and cannonballs. These features allowed Boreas to stay at sea for long periods without needing to resupply. Her strong masts helped her stay stable in rough seas and carry more sails. However, this heavy design also meant she was slower and harder to steer in light winds.

Her crew was planned to be 200 people. This included two commissioned officers (a captain and a lieutenant), along with 40 warrant and petty officers, 91 naval ratings (regular sailors), 38 Marines, and 29 servants and other roles.

Boreas's Time at Sea

Boreas began her service in August 1757 under Captain Robert Boyle. He would command her for the next two years. After her guns were loaded, some problems with her design became clear. In December 1757, Captain Boyle reported that the fir wood planks were already wearing out. He also noted that the back entrance to the ship's gunpowder storage was in a dangerous spot, which could be risky during a battle.

Despite these concerns, Boreas went to sea in early 1758. In April, she helped capture the French frigate Diane, which had 36 guns. Captain Boyle then sailed her to America in June 1758. She was involved in the operations near Louisbourg that year. Boreas shared in the rewards from capturing several French merchant ships and warships during this time.

In 1759, Boreas served in the English Channel as part of Admiral George Rodney's fleet. On March 28, she captured a ship called Demoiselle. Later, Boreas took part in the bombardment of Le Havre on July 3, 1759.

Captain Samuel Uvedale took command in February 1760 and sailed Boreas to Jamaica. On August 30, he chased a privateer ship called St Michel ashore and burned it. Privateers were privately owned ships that were allowed to attack enemy ships during wartime. While under Uvedale's command, Boreas also captured two other privateer ships, Intrepid and Dragon.

Battle of the Windward Passage

Another important battle happened on October 18, 1760. Admiral Charles Holmes, on Hampshire, led Boreas and Lively to stop a French convoy (a group of ships traveling together) in the Windward Passage. The British ships spotted five French vessels on October 17 and began to chase them.

Light winds made the chase slow, so it was evening before Boreas could fight the 32-gun French frigate Sirène. The French ship damaged Boreas's rigging, which meant Boreas couldn't fight again until the next afternoon. Boreas eventually won the battle, capturing Sirène. The French ship had about 80 men killed or wounded, while Boreas lost only one man killed and one wounded.

The French 20-gun corvette Valeur surrendered to Lively. Hampshire chased another French ship, Prince Edward, onto the shore, where its crew set it on fire. Other British ships, including Cambridge and Hussar, shared in the prize money from these captures.

Later, in October, boats from Boreas and Trent attacked French privateers in Cumberland Harbour, Cuba. They captured two privateers, Vainquer and Mackau. The French had to burn another ship, Guespe, to stop it from being captured. Boreas lost one man killed and five wounded in this action.

Boreas then returned to Jamaica for repairs, which lasted into 1761. She went on to capture another privateer, Belle-Madeleine, on December 18, 1761. From June to August 1762, she took part in the capture of Havana. After this, she returned to Britain, acting as a convoy escort (protecting other ships) and was inspected at Woolwich.

A small repair followed, lasting until May 1763. Captain Richard Hughes took command in April 1763, serving off North Foreland until 1766. Captain Constantine Phipps then commanded her in 1767, followed by Captain Digby Dent in 1768. Both commanded Boreas in the English Channel.

The End of Boreas

Boreas was inspected for the last time on May 23, 1770. She was sold a month later, on June 29, for £280.