HMS Richmond (1757) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Richmond |
| Ordered | 12 March 1756 |
| Builder | John Buxton, Deptford |
| Laid down | April 1756 |
| Launched | 12 November 1757 |
| Completed | 7 December 1757 at Deptford Dockyard |
| Commissioned | April 1757 |
| Fate | Captured by the French Navy in Chesapeake Bay, 11 September 1781 |
.svg){kind=small}   France |
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| Name | Richemont |
| Acquired | 1781 by capture |
| Fate | Scuttled by fire on 19 May 1793 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Richmond-class fifth-rate frigate |
| Displacement | 1,000 (tons; French) |
| Tons burthen | 664 16⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 34 ft 1+3⁄4 in (10.408 m) |
| Depth of hold | 11 ft 10 in (3.61 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement |
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| Armament |
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HMS Richmond was a special type of frigate built for the Royal Navy in Great Britain. She was the first of six ships in her class, known as the Richmond-class. Launched in 1757, she played a role in the American Revolutionary War.
Contents
Life as a British Warship
Early Service and Captures
HMS Richmond was a busy ship. In January 1778, she and another British ship, HMS Emerald, captured a French ship called Alexandrine. This happened in Chesapeake Bay, near the Rappahannock River. The next month, in February 1778, Richmond captured another ship near Cape Charles.
Capture by the French
On September 11, 1781, HMS Richmond was in Chesapeake Bay when she was captured. Two French warships, the large 74-gun Bourgogne and the frigate Aigrette, took her over. After this, the ship became part of the French Navy.
Life as a French Warship: Richemont
Serving France and a Famous Battle
After being captured, the ship was renamed Richemont by the French. She was commanded by Lieutenant Mortemart. On April 12, 1782, Richemont took part in a big naval battle called the Battle of the Saintes. During this fight, she bravely tried to tow another ship, Glorieux, to safety. This event was so important that a painting was made of it. This painting was displayed at the Ministry of the Navy in the 1930s.
What Happened to Richemont?
The French Navy eventually destroyed Richemont themselves. On May 19, 1793, they burned her at Sardinia. This was done to stop the Spanish Navy from capturing her.
