HMS Minerva (1780) facts for kids
Drawing of the outline of the Minerva
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Minerva |
| Operator | Royal Navy |
| Ordered | 1778 |
| Builder | Woolwich Dockyard |
| Laid down | 1778 |
| Launched | 3 June 1780 |
| Commissioned | 6 July 1780 |
| Honours and awards |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Egypt" |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Minerva-class frigate |
| Tons burthen | 940 (bm) |
| Length | 141 ft 0 in (42.98 m) |
| Beam | 38 ft 10 in (11.84 m) |
| Depth of hold | 13 ft 9 in (4.19 m) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Complement | 270 (raised to 280 on 25 April 1780) |
| Armament |
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HMS Minerva was a powerful sailing frigate in the Royal Navy. A frigate is a type of warship that is smaller and faster than a ship of the line. Minerva had 38 guns and was the first of four ships of her kind. She was launched on June 3, 1780. In 1798, her name was changed to Pallas, and she became a troopship, carrying soldiers. The ship was taken apart in 1803.
Contents
Minerva in Action
Captain Charles Fielding took command of Minerva in April 1780. Her first job was to patrol the English Channel. During this time, Minerva captured a French ship called Jupiter. She also captured three other ships between December 24 and 27, 1780: the Thomas en Jank, the Yonge Frone Teglaar, and the Zeepost.
Chasing Enemy Ships
On April 11, 1781, Minerva was with Vice-Admiral George Darby's fleet near Cape St Vincent. They saw three enemy ships and chased them. The enemy ships, which were French frigates, managed to escape to Cadiz, Spain. Later, Minerva was involved in attacks on some small gunboats. Some of her crew were badly hurt during these fights. Minerva also shared in prize money from capturing other enemy ships, like the French brig Duc de Chartres.
The next day, Darby's fleet, which included 29 warships and 100 supply ships, entered the bay of Gibraltar. These supply ships were bringing aid to Gibraltar. On June 9, Minerva sailed with merchant ships heading to Lisbon, Portugal.
Capturing Privateers
On October 9, 1781, Minerva and three other British ships captured an American privateer called Hercules. Privateers were private ships allowed by a government to attack enemy ships. The very next day, Minerva and another ship captured another American privateer, the Jason.
In early 1782, Captain Thomas Pakenham became Minerva's new commander. On March 11, 1782, Minerva and another British ship captured the brig Pearl near Oporto, Portugal.
On October 28, Minerva was among the British ships that captured a Dutch East India Company ship called Young Susanna near Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka).
Supporting the Army
Minerva was present at a battle near Cuddalore, India, on June 20, 1783. However, she was acting as a transport ship, not a fighting ship. She was carrying military supplies and food to support the British Army. The army was planning to attack Cuddalore.
East Indies Adventures
Minerva was recommissioned in 1790 under Captain Robert Sutton. She sailed to the East Indies on December 27. In November 1791, Minerva was with Commodore William Cornwallis and two other frigates near Thalassery, India.
One of the British frigates, Phoenix, was ordered to stop and search a French frigate called Résolue. The French ship was believed to be carrying military supplies for Tippu Sultan, an Indian ruler. Résolue fought back, and a short battle took place before she surrendered. The French captain insisted his ship was a British prize. So, Cornwallis ordered Résolue to be towed to Mahé and returned to the French commander.
French Revolutionary Wars
In 1793, Captain J. Whitby took command of Minerva. She was flying the flag of Rear Admiral Cornwallis. On June 24, she captured a ship called Citoyen near Cuddalore.
Siege of Pondicherry
Starting August 1, 1793, Minerva and three large merchant ships (East Indiamen) blocked the port of Pondicherry, India. The British army was attacking the fort there. The governor of Pondicherry refused to surrender at first. So, on August 20, the British began bombing the town. The governor finally surrendered on August 23.
During the siege, Minerva, with the admiral on board, chased away a French frigate called Sybile. This French ship was trying to reach the town with 150 artillery soldiers. Chasing her away was very helpful for the siege. The British ships also captured another vessel that was bringing military supplies.
Minerva returned to Britain and was taken out of service in April 1794. In July 1795, Captain Thomas Peyton recommissioned her. She joined a squadron led by Sir Richard Strachan.
Mediterranean Operations
In September 1796, Gilbert Elliot, the British viceroy, decided to clear out Capraia, an island belonging to the Genoese. Privateers were using it as a base. He sent Lord Nelson with several ships, including Minerva, and soldiers. The troops landed on September 18, and the island surrendered right away.
On September 27, Minerva and another British cutter captured two Spanish ships, the Santa Francisco Xavier and the Nostra Senora de la Miserecordia.
On November 13, 1796, Minerva and another British ship found the French corvette Etonnant near Barfleur, France. They chased her ashore. Etonnant was a new ship on her first voyage, carrying naval and military supplies.
On April 19, 1797, Minerva and several other British ships captured an American ship called Favourite. Later that month, Minerva and another ship ran aground near Cape Barfleur. Both ships had to go into dry dock for repairs.
In October, Minerva and another British ship captured the Marselloise. This ship was sailing from Guadeloupe to France. They then took another valuable ship, the former Sugar Cane, into Martinique.
Pallas: A Troopship's Role
Between July 1797 and May 1798, Minerva was changed into a troopship. This meant she was mainly used to carry soldiers. Her name was changed to Pallas. The previous HMS Pallas had just been wrecked, so the name was available. Captain John Mackellar recommissioned Pallas in February 1798.
Ostend Expedition
In May 1798, Pallas (though sometimes still called Minerva in reports) took part in an expedition to Ostend, Belgium. British soldiers, about 1,300 of them, landed to destroy the locks and gates on the Bruges canal. This would stop the French from moving gunboats and transport ships.
The British succeeded in damaging the gates. However, bad weather prevented the soldiers from being picked up, and they were captured. Captain Mackellar and his boat crew were also captured.
Commander Joseph Edmunds became captain in July. On May 20, 1800, Pallas was part of a fleet under Vice-Admiral Lord Keith near Genoa, Italy. Keith was blocking and bombing Genoa. He decided to send boats to capture some armed French ships.
Early on May 21, the boats successfully boarded and captured the largest French galley, the Prima. This ship had fifty oars and a crew of 257 men. It was armed with two large brass guns and many smaller guns. The British only had four men wounded, one of whom was from Pallas.
Captures and Rescues
On May 30, Pallas recaptured an English ship called Rosario. Two days later, Pallas captured a ship from Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik). On June 7, Pallas captured the Ardita off the coast of Italy. This ship was carrying statues and other goods.
From August 8, 1801, Pallas helped transport part of the British Army under General Coote. They moved soldiers from Cairo to Alexandria, Egypt. The Siege of Alexandria ended on August 30 when the city surrendered. Because Pallas was part of this important Egyptian campaign, her officers and crew later received a special medal clasp called "Egypt" in 1847.
End of Service
Pallas was taken out of service in May 1802 and placed in a reserve fleet. She was finally taken apart at Chatham Dockyard in March 1803.
