HMS Jason (1804) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
|
| Name | HMS Jason |
| Namesake | Jason, of Greek Mythology |
| Ordered | 12 July 1804 |
| Builder | Woolwich Dockyard |
| Laid down | August 1804 |
| Launched | 21 November 1804 |
| Fate | Broken up in July 1815 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 32-gun fifth rate Thames-class frigate |
| Tons burthen | 657 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 34 ft 6 in (10.52 m) |
| Depth of hold | 11 ft 9 in (3.58 m) |
| Complement | 220 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Jason was a fast warship called a frigate. It had 32 guns and was part of the Royal Navy, which is the British navy. She was built in 1804 in Woolwich, England, and served for about 11 years before being taken apart in 1815.
Contents
Early Service and Captures
HMS Jason started its service in 1805. Its first captain was P. William Champain. The ship sailed in the Leeward Islands, which are a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. It was the main ship for Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane.
Capturing Dolores and Naiade
On August 10, 1805, Jason captured a Spanish ship named Dolores. This ship was a "privateer," meaning it was a private ship allowed to attack enemy ships during wartime.
Later that year, on October 13, Jason chased and captured the French ship Naiade near Barbados. The chase lasted for nine hours! Naiade was a "corvette," a type of small warship. It had 16 guns and a crew of 170 sailors. One French sailor was killed before the ship surrendered. Captain Champain thought Naiade was a very fast ship and would be useful for the Royal Navy. The British navy later renamed Naiade to HMS Melville. On the same day, Jason also captured a Spanish merchant ship called Three Brothers.
Action in Puerto Rico
In 1806, Captain Thomas John Cochrane took command of Jason. In June, the ship helped attack a Spanish gun battery in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. Even though the British faced strong fire, they managed to capture the battery.
On August 6, Jason was sailing with other British ships, including HMS Hart, HMS Maria, and HMS Tobago. Together, they captured a ship named Hercules.
Capturing Favorite
In 1807, Jason was sent with another ship, HMS Wolverine, to the coast of Surinam. Their mission was to find a French ship called Favorite. Jason found Favorite in January and captured it after a short fight. Favorite had actually been a British ship before the French captured it in 1806. The Royal Navy took it back and renamed it HMS Goree.
Trouble in New York
In 1808, something unusual happened while Jason was near New York City. Some local people convinced a group of sailors who were on shore to cause trouble. This trouble spread to the ship. It was difficult, but the officers managed to get the sailors back under control. Later, 45 sailors had a trial in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for their actions.
Later Service and Important Events
In 1809, Captain William Maude became the commander of Jason. The ship took part in an attack on the French frigate Topaze near Guadeloupe. This was a successful battle for the British.
Capturing the Îles des Saintes
In April 1809, a large French fleet arrived at the Îles des Saintes, which are islands south of Guadeloupe. British forces quickly surrounded them. On April 14, a British force, including Jason, invaded and captured the islands. Jason and the other naval ships shared in the rewards from capturing these islands.
Serving in Jamaica and the North Sea
Later, James William King and then Charles John Napier commanded Jason, with King returning as captain in 1811. From 1812 to 1813, Jason served in Jamaica and in the North Sea.
On June 13, 1812, Jason stopped and held an American ship called Lydia. Almost a month later, on July 12, Jason also stopped an American ship called Cyrus. Two days after that, Jason captured another American ship, Three Friends.
Escorting Important Leaders
In 1814, Jason had a very important job. It helped escort King Louis XVIII of France and later the Emperors of Russia and Prussia. They were traveling for important talks to end the Napoleonic Wars.
End of Service
In 1815, after the wars ended, HMS Jason was taken apart in Plymouth.
