HMS Gorgon (1785) facts for kids
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Gorgon
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Gorgon |
| Namesake | Gorgon |
| Ordered | 19 June 1782 |
| Builder | Perry & Hankey, Blackwall Yard |
| Laid down | December 1782 |
| Launched | 27 January 1785 |
| Completed | 15 December 1787 at Portsmouth Dockyard |
| Honours and awards |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Egypt" |
| Fate | Broken up, February 1817 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 896+54⁄94 tons bm (as designed) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 38 ft 3 in (11.66 m) |
| Depth of hold | 16 ft 10 in (5.13 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 300 (294 from 1794) |
| Armament |
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HMS Gorgon was a British Royal Navy ship built in 1785. She was a 44-gun ship, meaning she carried 44 cannons. Originally, she was designed as a two-decker ship, which means she had two main decks for guns.
Gorgon started her life as a troopship, carrying soldiers. Later, she was changed into a storeship, which meant she carried supplies. Over her years of service, she also worked as a guardship and even a hospital ship. She was eventually taken apart in 1817.
Contents
Early Service as a Troopship
Gorgon was prepared as a troopship in Portsmouth. This work finished on December 15, 1787. Lieutenant Charles Craven was her first commander in October 1787.
After about a year, she was taken out of service. Then, in October 1789, she was prepared again for trips overseas. Lieutenant William Harvey took command of her for this new role.
Voyage to New South Wales
Under Commander John Parker, Gorgon sailed to New South Wales in Australia. She left on March 15, 1791, as part of the Third Fleet. She arrived on September 21, 1791.
The ship carried six months' worth of food for 900 people. This was very important for the colony, which was struggling with hunger. She also brought about 30 people who had been sent there as a punishment. Philip Gidley King, who was returning to become the lieutenant-governor of Norfolk Island, was also on board.
Returning from Australia
On December 18, 1791, Gorgon left Port Jackson. She took home the last group of New South Wales Marine Corps members. These marines had come with the First Fleet to guard the new settlement. Many of them were happy to leave.
Gorgon also carried samples of animals, birds, and plants from New South Wales. At the Cape of Good Hope, the ship picked up some people who had escaped from New South Wales. These people had traveled all the way to West Timor.
The ship also took on board ten people who had been part of the famous HMS Bounty mutiny. These mutineers had been captured by another ship, HMS Pandora. Sadly, many children on board Gorgon died during the long journey due to heat and sickness. Gorgon finally arrived back in Portsmouth on June 18, 1792. She dropped off her passengers, including the marines, the escaped people, and the mutineers.
Service in the French Revolutionary Wars
Between March and July 1793, Gorgon was changed into a 20-gun storeship. This work was done at Woolwich. Commander Charles Patterson then took command. He sailed her to the Mediterranean Sea on October 15, 1793.
Supporting the Fleet
In February 1794, Gorgon was part of a large fleet led by Vice-Admiral Lord Samuel Hood. This fleet helped capture the Port of San Fiorenzo and Bastia. These actions eventually led to the British taking control of the island of Corsica. Gorgon's job was to protect the ships carrying troops and horses.
Commander James Wallis took over command in 1794. However, in March 1795, Gorgon was taken out of service again.
Commander Edward Tyrell recommissioned her in May 1795. He sailed her to the Mediterranean on November 11, 1795.
Actions in the Mediterranean
On June 10, 1796, Gorgon was with other British ships near Toulon. They were present when Southampton captured a French ship called Utile. Later that month, Gorgon helped with the evacuation of Leghorn.
In September 1796, Gilbert Elliot, a British leader, decided to clear out Capraia island. This island was being used by privateers, who were like legal pirates. He sent Lord Nelson with Gorgon and other ships and troops. The troops landed on September 18, and the island quickly surrendered.
In April 1797, Captain John W.T. Dixon took command. Captain John Williams replaced him in October 1797. Gorgon then sailed to the Leeward Islands in January 1798.
Capturing French Ships
On January 13, 1798, Gorgon was far from Cape Finisterre. She caught up with and recaptured a British ship called Ann, which had been taken by a French privateer. While Gorgon was busy with Ann, another ship appeared, flying French flags. After Gorgon fired a few shots, the French ship surrendered.
This new ship was a French privateer named Henri. She had 14 guns and a crew of 108 men. Captain Richard Williams put a small crew on board Henri to take her to Lisbon.
Between 1799 and 1800, Gorgon continued to serve as a storeship under Commander Henry Hill. Then, on June 16, 1801, Commander George Ross and Gorgon sailed from Cork. They were carrying soldiers to Egypt. Because Gorgon was part of the Egyptian campaign (March 8 to September 8, 1801), her crew later received a special medal.
Napoleonic Wars Service
Commander William Wilkinson took command of Gorgon in May 1803. She was stationed in Ireland. In 1805, she served as a floating battery or guardship on the River Shannon. In October 1805, Commander Francis Stanfell was in charge, followed by Commander Charles Ryder in May 1806.
On February 14, 1806, a ship called Rosina sank. Gorgon rescued her crew and brought them to Milford.
Between November 2006 and July 2008, Gorgon was repaired and fitted as a victualler, meaning she carried food supplies. Commander Robert Brown Tom recommissioned her in May 1808. He sailed her to the Baltic Sea, where she continued to serve as a storeship.
Captures in the Baltic
On May 12, 1809, Gorgon captured a Danish ship named Petrena. Then, on May 21, she and another ship, Strenuous, captured a Danish boat called Helden.
By November 1809, she was working as a hospital ship under Commander Charles Webb. Even so, on October 24, 1810, Gorgon and other ships helped capture a ship called Hoppet.
Commander Alexander Milner replaced Webb in April 1811. He sailed Gorgon to the Mediterranean on March 10, 1812. Commander Rowland Mainwaring took command in September. She then served as the main ship for Vice Admiral Francis Pickmore near Toulon. Commander Claude de Crespigny replaced Mainwaring in 1813, but he died in July. Commander John Cornish replaced de Crespigny, and then Commander Richard Booth Bowden replaced him in 1814.
Role in the War of 1812
Commander Bowden then sailed Gorgon to America. She became the hospital ship for the British fleet during the Battle of New Orleans. She was anchored off the coast while the battle was fought on land.
Before that battle, her small boats took part in the Battle of Lake Borgne on December 14, 1814. One of Gorgon's officers was slightly wounded. In 1847, a special medal was given to those who survived this action.
Final Years
Gorgon was finally taken apart in February 1817.
Images for kids
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HMS Gorgon
