HMS Orion (1787) facts for kids
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Model of HMS Orion at the Vancouver Maritime Museum
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Orion |
| Ordered | 2 October 1782 |
| Builder | Barnard, Deptford |
| Laid down | February 1783 |
| Launched | 1 June 1787 |
| Honours and awards |
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| Fate | Broken up, 1814 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Canada-class ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 1,646 (bm) |
| Length | 170 ft (52 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 46 ft 9 in (14.25 m) |
| Depth of hold | 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMS Orion was a powerful warship of the British Royal Navy. She was a 74-gun ship of the line, meaning she carried 74 cannons and was designed for naval battles. Orion was built in Deptford and launched on June 1, 1787.
This famous ship took part in many important battles during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. These were major conflicts between Great Britain and France that lasted for many years. Orion served under several skilled captains throughout her career.
Early Battles and Captures
In 1794, Orion fought in a big naval battle known as the Glorious First of June. Her captain at the time was John Thomas Duckworth.
The next year, in January 1795, Orion was in Plymouth. At this time, war broke out between Britain and the Netherlands. Orion helped capture Dutch naval and merchant ships in the port, sharing in the money from these captures.
Later in 1795, Captain James Saumarez took command of Orion. Under his leadership, the ship helped defeat the French fleet at the Battle of Groix on June 22, near Lorient.
In October 1795, Orion successfully recaptured a merchant ship named Thames. This ship had been taken by a French frigate squadron just a month earlier.
Interestingly, a woman named Nancy Perriam served on Orion during this time. She was one of the very few women known to have served on a Royal Navy ship during these wars.
Joining Nelson's Fleet
In early 1797, Orion joined the Mediterranean Fleet. She showed great bravery at the Battle of Cape St. Vincent on February 14.
After this battle, Orion helped blockade, or surround, the port of Cadiz from March 1797 to April 1798. Then, she was sent into the Mediterranean Sea as part of a small group of ships led by Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson.
In August, Nelson's fleet finally found the French fleet. This led to the famous Battle of the Nile. During this intense battle, Captain Saumarez of Orion was wounded.
The Battle of Trafalgar
In October 1805, Orion was under the command of Captain Edward Codrington. She played a key role in the most famous naval battle of the era, the Battle of Trafalgar.
At Trafalgar, Orion, along with another British ship called Ajax, fought bravely. Together, they forced the French 74-gun ship Intrépide to surrender. This was a major victory for the British.
After the Battle of Trafalgar, Orion continued to blockade Cadiz. On November 25, another British warship, Thunderer, stopped a ship called Nemesis. This ship was from the Ragusan Republic and was sailing from the Isle de France (now Mauritius) to Italy. It was carrying valuable goods like spices and indigo dye. Orion shared in the prize money from this capture with ten other British warships.
End of Service
After many years of important service in major battles, HMS Orion was taken apart in 1814.
