HMS Orpheus (1780) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Orpheus |
| Ordered | 2 October 1778 |
| Builder | Adams & Barnard, Deptford |
| Laid down | 7 July 1779 |
| Launched | 3 June 1780 |
| Completed | By 15 July 1780 |
| Fate | Wrecked on 23 January 1807 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 32-gun fifth-rate Amazon-class frigate (1773) frigate |
| Tons burthen | 68866⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 35 ft 2+1⁄4 in (10.7 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft (3.7 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 220 |
| Armament |
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HMS Orpheus was a 32-gun frigate, a type of fast warship, built for the Royal Navy of Great Britain. She was launched in 1780 and served for over 25 years. Her journey ended when she was wrecked in 1807.
Contents
Orpheus in the American War
During the American War of Independence, HMS Orpheus was an active ship.
Capturing Enemy Ships
On April 14, 1781, Orpheus and another British ship, HMS Roebuck, captured the American ship USS Confederacy. This happened near the Delaware River. The Royal Navy then used the captured ship for a short time, renaming her HMS Confederate.
In March 1782, Orpheus captured another American ship called Navarro. This ship was a "letter of marque," which meant it was a private ship allowed to attack enemy merchant ships. The Royal Navy also took Navarro into its service, calling her HMS Polecat.
Orpheus in the French Wars
Orpheus continued to serve during the French Revolutionary Wars.
Sailing to Distant Lands
In 1792, Orpheus sailed to the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. The next year, in 1793, she traveled even further, reaching the East Indies. Captain Henry Newcombe was in charge of the ship during this time.
Capturing a French Frigate
On May 5, 1794, Orpheus captured a French frigate named Duguay Trouin. This French ship had actually been a British merchant ship called Princess Royal before the French captured it in 1793.
Taking a Dutch Brig
On June 22, 1796, Orpheus was in the Bangka Strait near Indonesia. There, she captured a Dutch brig (a type of two-masted ship) called Harlingen. The British then added Harlingen to their navy, renaming her HMS Amboyna.
In August 1797, Orpheus was reported to be in Madras, India. At this time, Captain William Hill became her new commander.
Orpheus in the Napoleonic Wars
Orpheus also played a part in the Napoleonic Wars.
Sharing Prize Money
On April 16, 1806, Orpheus, under Captain Thomas Briggs, was sailing with a revenue cutter named Badger. Together, they captured two merchant ships, Vrou Fingina and Vyf Gesusters. The money from selling these captured ships was shared between the crews of Orpheus and Badger.
The End of Orpheus
The long service of HMS Orpheus came to an end in 1807.
Grounding in Jamaica
On the evening of January 22, 1807, Orpheus arrived off Jamaica after a journey from England. The ship was low on fresh water. Captain Thomas Briggs decided to try and sail into Port Royal without waiting for a local pilot to guide them.
Around midnight, Orpheus hit a hidden reef. This reef was not correctly marked on the ship's maps. The crew tried to make the ship lighter by throwing things overboard, but it didn't work. Water began to flood into the ship. When the water reached the main deck, the crew had to leave the ship in their smaller boats. Orpheus was left behind and was wrecked.
