HMS Jason (1794) facts for kids
HMS Jason was a powerful warship, a 38-gun frigate of the British Royal Navy. She was built to fight during the French Revolutionary Wars. Sadly, her time at sea lasted only four years. On October 13, 1798, she hit a hidden rock near Brest, France, and sank. Even in her short career, Jason was very busy, taking part in many battles against French ships.
HMS Jason captures Seine on 30 June 1798, depicted in a contemporary engraving
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Jason |
| Ordered | 1 April 1793 |
| Builder | John Dudman, Deptford |
| Laid down | April 1793 |
| Launched | 3 April 1794 |
| Completed | 25 July 1794 |
| Commissioned | May 1794 |
| Fate | Wrecked on 13 October 1798 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 38-gun Artois-class fifth-rate frigate |
| Tons burthen | 997 64⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 39 ft 3 in (12.0 m) |
| Depth of hold | 13 ft 9 in (4.19 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 270 |
| Armament |
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The order to build HMS Jason was given on April 1, 1793. Her construction began that same month at John Dudman's shipyards in Deptford.
Jason was officially launched into the water on April 3, 1794. By July 25, 1794, all the work to complete her at Deptford Dockyard was finished. Building the ship cost about £16,632. When you add the cost of getting her ready for sea, the total was £22,567. In May 1794, Captain James Douglas became her first commander.
Adventures at Sea
Jason started her service in the English Channel. Captain James Douglas was in charge at first. By 1795, Captain Charles Stirling took over command. He remained her captain for the rest of her active time at sea.
Captain Stirling and Jason were very busy. They captured at least six French ships. Two of these ships later joined the Royal Navy themselves.
In October 1795, Jason was part of a British fleet. This fleet was involved in the Quiberon expedition. She then worked hard to stop French privateers and raiders. These were private ships that attacked other ships.
In December 1796, Jason helped stop a French invasion of Ireland. During this time, she captured a French frigate called Suffren. Jason continued to patrol the Channel.
She captured the 14-gun privateer Marie in November 1797. In February 1798, she captured another privateer, the 24-gun Coureur. Working with another British ship, HMS Russell, Jason captured the 12-gun privateer Bonne Citoyenne in March 1798.
More successes followed in 1798. She captured the 6-gun French brig Arrogante in April. Then, with HMS Pique, she captured the 38-gun frigate Seine in June. The Marie became HMS Halifax in the Royal Navy. The Arrogante became HMS Arrogante, later renamed HMS Insolent. The Seine also became a British ship, HMS Seine, and served until 1803.
The Final Voyage
HMS Jason met her end on October 13, 1798. She was sailing near Brest when she hit a rock that was not on any map. The ship was badly damaged and sank.
Jason was one of several frigates lost while blockading Brest. This area was known for its dangerous waters. Three ships of her class were lost there. HMS Ethalion was also lost the following year.
