HMS Express (1800) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Express |
| Ordered | 24 May 1800 |
| Builder | John Randall & Co., Rotherhithe |
| Laid down | July 1800 |
| Launched | 30 December 1800 |
| Honours and awards |
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| Fate | Sold May 1813 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Express-class schooner |
| Tonnage | 178 48⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 21 ft 6 in (6.6 m) |
| Depth of hold | 13 ft 1 in (4.0 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan |
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| Complement |
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| Armament |
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HMS Express was a small, fast ship called a schooner, built for the British Royal Navy. It was the first ship of its kind. The Express was launched in 1800 and served until 1813. During its time, the Express took part in important battles. Years later, sailors who served on it could receive a special medal called the Naval General Service Medal.
Contents
Life of the HMS Express
The HMS Express was a schooner, which is a type of sailing ship with at least two masts. It was also an "advice-boat," meaning it was used to carry messages and scout ahead for the fleet.
Early Years and Commanders
In January 1801, Lieutenant Robert Sayer took command of the Express. He sailed it to Jersey, an island near France. Later, in August 1802, the ship went to Trinidad in the Caribbean Sea. For a few years, it worked there as a support ship, helping larger ships.
By July 1805, the Express was in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. Lieutenant William Swiney was in charge, and then Lieutenant George Spearing took over.
Helping a Revolution
In July and August 1806, the Express joined a group of ships. This group helped General Francisco de Miranda. He was trying to free Venezuela from Spanish rule. However, his attempt was not successful.
Battles and Encounters
In September 1806, Lieutenant Humphrey Fleming Senhouse became the commander of the Express. At one point, the Express met a French ship called Argus. The Argus was a brig, a type of ship with two masts. It had 16 guns and 120 men. The Express also met a smaller French schooner.
The fight was not finished because the French ships sailed away. The Express had three sailors hurt. It also ran out of its biggest cannonballs. The French governor of Martinique was reportedly very angry with the captain of Argus for not capturing the Express.
Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane then sent Senhouse to patrol the coast west of Caracas. The Express worked with another schooner, HMS Ballahoo. They captured and burned many enemy boats. They also took many prisoners. Senhouse had to let his prisoners go because he was too far from friendly ports.
In March 1808, Senhouse left the Express. Lieutenant William Dowers took his place as commander.
Capturing Enemy Ships
The Express helped capture several enemy ships.
- On February 27, 1807, the Express and another ship, Port d'Espagne, captured a brig named Altrevido.
- On March 2, 1807, the Express and Ballahoo captured a sloop named Endeavour.
- Three weeks later, on March 20, they captured another sloop called Two Friends.
Attack on La Désirade
A year later, on March 29, 1808, the Express joined a group of British ships. They sailed to attack the island of La Désirade. They arrived the next day. Sailors and marines from the ships landed on the island. They fought with French soldiers who were guarding the harbor. The British ships' guns silenced the French cannons, and the French soldiers surrendered.
The Pearl Rock Battle
The biggest battle for the Express started on December 12, 1808. It was part of a group of ships led by Commander Francis Augustus Collier. They attacked a French brig called Cygne and two schooners near Saint-Pierre, Martinique. The British ships sent their smaller boats to attack, but the French fought them off. The British had many sailors hurt or missing.
The next day, another British ship, Amaranthe, joined the fight. Fire from the Amaranthe forced the French crew to leave the Cygne. British sailors then boarded and destroyed the French ship.
Boats from the Amaranthe, helped by boats from the Express, also boarded the second French schooner and set it on fire. During this battle, the Express lost one sailor who was killed and three who were wounded.
Years later, in 1847, sailors who were part of this battle could receive the Naval General Service Medal. It had a special clasp that said "Off the Pearl Rock 13 Decr. 1808".
Invasion of Martinique
Lieutenant William Malone replaced Dowers as commander. In February 1809, the Express was part of a group of ships that successfully invaded Martinique. This was an important campaign. In 1847, sailors who served in this campaign could also receive the Naval General Service Medal with a clasp that said "Martinique".
End of Service
In 1812, the Express was put into storage at Portsmouth. On April 28, 1813, the Navy offered the ship for sale. It was sold in May 1813 to a company named Messrs. Walters in Rotherhithe.
