HMS Janus (1778) facts for kids

Janus
Quick facts for kids History
Great Britain
Name	HMS Janus
Ordered	24 July 1776
Builder	Robert Batson, Limehouse
Laid down	9 August 1776
Launched	14 May 1778
Completed	By 11 August 1778
Renamed	Dromedary on 3 March 1788
Reclassified	24-gun storeship in 1787
Fate	Wrecked on 10 August 1800
General characteristics
Class and type	Roebuck-class fifth rate
Tons burthen	883 80⁄94 (bm)
Length	140 ft 1⁄2 in (42.7 m) (gundeck) 115 ft 10 in (35.3 m) (keel)
Beam	37 ft 10+1⁄2 in (11.5 m)
Depth of hold	16 ft 4 in (5.0 m)
Sail plan	Full-rigged ship
Complement	300
Armament	As fifth rate 44 guns: Lower gundeck: 20 × 18-pounder guns Upper gundeck: 22 × 9-pounder guns Forecastle: 2 × 6-pounder guns As storeship 24 guns Upper gundeck: 22 × 9-pounder guns Quarterdeck: 8 × 6-pounder guns

HMS Janus was a special kind of warship called a Roebuck-class fifth rate in the Royal Navy. This means she was a medium-sized ship with 44 guns. She was built in Great Britain and served during the late 1700s. Later, she was changed into a storeship and renamed Dromedary.

The Story of HMS Janus

Building and Early Days

HMS Janus was ordered on July 24, 1776. She was built by Robert Batson in Limehouse, England. The ship was launched on May 14, 1778. She was ready for service by August 11, 1778.

Famous Captains

From May 1780, a very famous naval officer, Captain Horatio Nelson, was in command of HMS Janus. He was a rising star in the Royal Navy. However, he was replaced by September of that same year.

A Change of Name and Role

In 1788, Janus was changed into a storeship. A storeship is a vessel used to carry supplies, like food, water, and equipment, for other ships or naval bases. When she became a storeship, her number of guns was reduced to 24. On March 3, 1788, she was given a new name: HMS Dromedary.

In 1793, Captain Sandford Tatham took command of Dromedary. On January 20, 1795, Dromedary was at Plymouth. At this time, a war broke out between Britain and the Netherlands. All Dutch naval and merchant ships in port were taken by the British. HMS Dromedary shared in the benefits from these captured ships.

Final Voyage

HMS Dromedary met her end on August 10, 1800. She was wrecked on the Parasol Rocks near Trinidad. Luckily, everyone on board survived the shipwreck.