HMS Sandfly (1794) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Great Britain |
|
| Name | HMS Sandfly |
| Ordered | 3 February 1794 |
| Builder | Wells & Co, Deptford |
| Laid down | 1794 |
| Launched | 1794 |
| Completed | By 28 March 1795 |
| Honours and awards |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Isle St. Marcou" |
| Fate | Broken up in 1803 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Musquito-class floating battery |
| Tons burthen | 3063⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 32 ft 1+1⁄4 in (9.8 m) |
| Depth of hold | 7 ft 11⁄2 in (2.3 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Topsail schooner |
| Complement | 50 |
| Armament |
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HMS Sandfly was a special kind of ship called a Musquito-class floating battery in the Royal Navy. A floating battery was like a floating fort, packed with guns. This ship and her sister, HMS Musquito, were built to protect the Îles Saint-Marcouf. These are small islands off the coast of Normandy, France.
During her short time in service, Sandfly helped capture an enemy ship. She also took part in a big battle that earned her crew a special award, the Naval General Service Medal. After a peace treaty called the Peace of Amiens was signed in 1802, the islands were returned to France. Sandfly was then taken out of service and later taken apart in 1803.
Contents
Building and Purpose of HMS Sandfly
HMS Sandfly was one of two ships designed by Sir William Sidney Smith. The other ship was HMS Musquito. These ships were made specifically to defend the Îles Saint-Marcouf. They were part of a coastal group of ships.
Sandfly was officially called a "sloop of 18 guns." This meant she had 18 cannons and a larger crew. She also served as a "vessel of convenience." This means she was used to gather and organize marines and other soldiers on the East Island of St. Marcouf. Another ship, HMS Badger, did the same for the West Island.
HMS Sandfly's Time in Service
Sandfly started her service in February 1795. Her first commander was Lieutenant John Chilcott. The British took control of the islands in July 1795.
First French Attack on St. Marcouf
On September 7, 1795, French forces tried to attack the islands. They came with 17 large boats full of soldiers. But they had to retreat quickly. The British had built strong defenses on East Island. The French also faced fire from British gunboats, including Badger, Serpent, Shark, and Hawke.
Lieutenant Richard Bourne took over command of Sandfly on February 12, 1796. He had served on both Musquito and Sandfly before as a midshipman.
Capturing the Souris
On February 21, 1797, Sandfly teamed up with Badger and two hired armed cutters, Champion and Fly. Together, they captured a French ship called Souris. The Souris was a 16-gun chasse maree, a type of small French cargo ship. Unlike some captured ships, the Royal Navy did not use Souris in its own fleet.
Later that year, in August, Lieutenant Bourne was officially promoted to his rank.
The Big Battle of Îles Saint-Marcouf
On May 7, 1798, the French launched a major attack to try and take back the Marcou Islands. A large group of boats, including 52 gun-brigs and flat-bottomed boats carrying troops, attacked just before dawn.
Lieutenant Charles Papp Price, commanding Badger, and Lieutenant Bourne, commanding Sandfly, led a successful defense. The British destroyed many of the attacking French boats. They even captured one flat-bottomed landing craft.
Lieutenant Price was in charge of a battery of 17 guns on the West Island. Lieutenant Bourne commanded a battery on East Island. This battery used Sandfly's powerful 68-pounder carronades. Bourne fired shells to support Price's battery, even firing over West Island.
The French fired about 80 bow guns, ranging from 18 to 36-pounders, for over two hours. Despite this heavy attack, Price's side only lost one person killed and four wounded. The French lost about nine boats and many soldiers from their attacking force, which was estimated to be 6,000 to 7,000 men.
Other British ships like Adamant, Eurydice, and Orestes were in the area. However, they were not close enough to help during the battle. For their brave efforts, both Price and Bourne were promoted to Commander. Years later, in 1847, a special medal called the Naval General Service Medal was given to the three surviving crew members from Badger and Sandfly who had fought in the "Iles St. Marcou" battle.
Lieutenant Thomas Marco took command of Sandfly in February 1799. Lieutenant Samuel Thomas replaced Marco in December of that year.
End of Service
In mid-May 1802, the British returned the Îles Saint-Marcouf to France. This happened after the Peace of Amiens treaty was signed. Sandfly was taken out of service in June 1802. She was then broken up, or taken apart, in 1803.
