HMS Calypso (1805) facts for kids
Calypso
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Calypso |
| Ordered | 15 October 1803 |
| Builder | John Dudman, Deptford, Kent |
| Launched | 2 February 1805 |
| Honours and awards |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Off Mardoe 6 July 1812" |
| Fate | Broken up March 1821 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Cruizer-class brig-sloop |
| Tonnage | 382 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 30 ft 6 in (9.3 m) |
| Draught | 6 ft 6 in (2.0 m) (unladen);10 ft 0 in (3.0 m) (laden) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft 9 in (3.9 m) |
| Sail plan | Brig rigged |
| Complement | 121 |
| Armament |
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HMS Calypso was a fast sailing ship, a type called a brig-sloop, used by the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. She was built in Deptford, England, and launched in 1805. Calypso served in important areas like the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. She played a key role in the Gunboat War, especially at the Battle of Lyngør, which helped end that conflict. After years of service, Calypso was taken apart in 1821.
Contents
Life at Sea: Calypso in Service
Calypso began her service under Commander Matthew Foster in February 1805. She was part of a large group of British warships. In June 1805, Calypso and other ships helped capture an American ship named Enoch.
Attacks on French Convoys
Between July 18 and 23, 1805, Calypso joined attacks on French convoys near Calais, Wimereux, and Ambleteuse. On July 18, Calypso, along with HMS Fleche and HMS Arab, chased six French gun-vessels onto the shore. However, strong French shore batteries forced the British ships to pull back. During this fight, Commander Foster was badly wounded in the shoulder and had to leave command of Calypso.
Changes in Command
In June 1809, Calypso sailed from Yarmouth to protect ships heading to Hudson Bay. Commander Matthew Martin Bradby then took over command. He served until June 1810, when he was promoted. Commander Henry Weir became the new captain of Calypso on June 28, 1810. In December, Calypso stopped a ship called Endracht, which was carrying tar, and sent it to Yarmouth.
In 1811, Calypso was present when the British cutter Princess of Wales captured three Danish ships. Calypso herself captured a ship called Edell Catharina on May 2. On June 14, Commander Weir captured two Danish privateer ships (ships allowed to attack enemy vessels) off the coast of Jutland. Both were armed with ten guns.
Later that year, Calypso was part of a group of ships that captured several vessels carrying goods like tar, hemp, and timber. In October or November, Calypso was caught in a severe storm. She lost her top masts and was heavily damaged. To survive, the crew had to throw her guns overboard. In early 1812, Calypso captured more Danish ships, including Den Norske Bonde, Tallette, Phoenix, and Mette Catharina.
The Gunboat War: Battle of Lyngør
On July 6, 1812, during the Gunboat War, Calypso was off the island of Merdø on the coast of Norway. She was with a British squadron, including the large ship HMS Dictator, HMS Podargus, and HMS Flamer. They spotted and chased a Danish squadron.
During the battle, HMS Dictator and Calypso successfully destroyed the new, 40-gun Danish frigate Najaden. They also badly damaged three 18-gun Danish brigs named Laaland, Samsoe, and Kiel, along with several smaller gunboats. The British tried to capture Laaland and Kiel but had to leave them when they ran aground. The British did not burn these ships because their crews and wounded sailors were still on board.
The battle was costly for both sides. Dictator had five sailors killed and 24 wounded. Calypso lost three sailors killed, one wounded, and two missing. The Danish ship Najaden lost 133 dead and 82 wounded. Overall, the Danes reported about 300 men killed and wounded.
Commander Weir was immediately promoted to post-captain for his bravery. Years later, in 1847, surviving British sailors from this battle could receive a special medal clasp called "Off Mardoe 6 July 1812". The Battle of Lyngør was very important because it effectively ended the Gunboat War.
Baltic and Azores Missions
Commander Thomas Groube took command of Calypso in July 1812. In March 1813, Calypso captured a ship named Christine. Ten days later, Calypso and HMS Bruizer captured another ship called Speculation. In August, Calypso captured Marianne while sailing with other British ships.
Commander Groube also took Lord George Walpole to St. Petersburg, Russia. Lord Walpole was serving as a diplomat there. Calypso also took part in the siege of Danzig in 1813. For his service, Commander Groube was promoted to post-captain in June 1814.
Later that year, Calypso was in the Azores islands. She helped transport wounded sailors back to England. These sailors had been injured in a difficult fight against an American privateer ship called General Armstrong.
Commander Charles Reid took over from Groube in June 1814. In February 1815, Reid recaptured a ship named Maid of the Mill. In March, Calypso and HMS Meander were with HMS Aquilon when Aquilon recaptured a ship called Thomas. In 1816, Lieutenant John Sisson was the acting commander of Calypso.
Mediterranean Diplomacy
In April 1816, Lord Exmouth made agreements with the ruler of Algiers to exchange prisoners and slaves. Calypso played a part in this. She carried 40 Sardinian people, who had been slaves, to Genoa. She then brought eight Algerian prisoners back to Algiers, along with the money to free the Sardinians.
What Happened to Calypso?
After her active service, Calypso was kept in reserve at Chatham from 1817 to 1820. She was eventually taken apart in March 1821.
Famous Passenger
A future governor of New South Wales in Australia, Lachlan Macquarie, sailed on Calypso in September/October 1807. He traveled from Kronstadt, Russia, to Yarmouth, England. Macquarie would later replace William Bligh (famous from the Mutiny on the Bounty) as governor after a rebellion in Australia.
