HMS Renown (1798) facts for kids
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HMS Renown (1798) image
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Renown |
| Ordered | 10 June 1795 |
| Builder | Dudman, Deptford Wharf |
| Laid down | November 1796 |
| Launched | 2 May 1798 |
| Renamed | HMS Royal Oak, 1814 |
| Honours and awards |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Egypt" |
| Fate | Broken up, May 1835 |
| Notes | Harbour service from 1814 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | America-class ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 1899 (bm) |
| Length | 182 ft (55 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 48 ft 7+1⁄2 in (14.8 m) |
| Depth of hold | 21 ft 7 in (6.58 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMS Renown was a powerful warship of the Royal Navy, built for battle. She was a "ship of the line," meaning she was big enough to fight in the main battle formation. This ship had 74 cannons!
She was supposed to be named HMS Royal Oak. But her name was changed to Renown in 1796. The ship was built at Deptford Wharf and launched on May 2, 1798. From 1800 to 1801, she served as the main ship, or "flagship," for Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren. At first, she sailed in the English Channel.
Contents
Adventures at Sea: Renown's Service History
Battles and Missions: 1800-1801
In 1800, HMS Renown was part of an exciting mission. On July 1, she joined two other British warships, Fisgard and Defence. They also had a smaller ship, the Lord Nelson.
Their goal was to attack a French convoy in Bourneuf Bay, near Île de Noirmoutier. The British sailors used small boats to get close. They destroyed several French ships, including a 20-gun ship called Therese. They also burned about 15 merchant ships. These merchant ships were full of supplies for the French fleet.
However, this mission was risky. Out of 192 British sailors who attacked, 92 were captured by the French. Their boats got stuck, and they couldn't escape.
Capturing a French Privateer
Later that year, Renown took part in another daring mission. This was near Ferrol, Spain. On August 29, Admiral Sir Samuel Hood gathered a special team. Sailors from Renown and many other ships joined.
Their target was a French privateer ship called Guêpe. Privateers were like private warships, allowed to attack enemy ships. The Guêpe had 18 cannons and a crew of 161 men. After a quick 15-minute fight, the British captured the Guêpe. They towed her away. Many French sailors were killed or wounded in the fight. The British also had some casualties.
Years later, in 1847, a special medal was given to the surviving sailors from this action. It was called the Naval General Service Medal.
Serving in the Mediterranean Sea
After these events, Renown was involved in an attack on Cadiz, but it didn't succeed.
In 1801, Renown was changed to carry supplies and troops. She then moved to the Mediterranean Sea. She was still Admiral Warren's flagship. A young sailor named Charles John Napier served on her. He later became a famous admiral.
Because Renown was part of the navy's campaign in Egypt (from March to September 1801), her crew received another special medal clasp. This "Egypt" clasp was added to the Naval General Service Medal in 1847.
In 1803, Renown was in Malta. By 1805, she was being repaired in Plymouth. She then served in the Channel Fleet again from 1807 to 1808. After that, she returned to the Mediterranean. In 1809, she even took part in the Battle of Maguelone.
The End of Renown's Journey
In 1811, Renown was put away at Plymouth. In 1814, she became a "hulk," which means she was used as a floating storage or barracks. She was no longer an active warship. Finally, in May 1835, HMS Renown was taken apart.
Renown in Stories
The name Renown has also appeared in fiction! In the Horatio Hornblower novels by C. S. Forester, there's a ship of the line named Renown. This fictional ship is not the same as the historical one we've been reading about.
In the book Lieutenant Hornblower, the ship's captain becomes injured. The younger officers, including Hornblower, have to take charge during adventures in the West Indies. The mystery of how the captain fell is a big part of the story. This exciting tale was also shown in two episodes of the Hornblower (TV series) called Mutiny and Retribution.
