HMS Seahorse (1748) facts for kids
Drawing showing the profile of the Seahorse, 1770
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Seahorse |
| Ordered | 4 February 1748 |
| Builder | John Barnard, Harwich |
| Laid down | 23 February 1748 |
| Launched | 13 September 1748 |
| Commissioned | November 1748 |
| Fate | Sold on 30 December 1784 |
 Great Britain |
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| Name | Ravensworth |
| Namesake | Ravensworth |
| Owner |
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| Acquired | 1784 by purchase |
| Fate | Sold 1789 |
| France | |
| Name | Citoyen |
| Acquired | 1789 by purchase |
| Fate | Last listed 1801 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Sixth-rate frigate |
| Tons burthen | 5121⁄94, or 519 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam |
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| Depth of hold |
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| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement |
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| Armament |
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HMS Seahorse was a 24-gun frigate (a fast warship) of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1748. This ship is famous because a young Horatio Nelson, who later became a very important admiral, served on her as a midshipman (a junior officer).
Seahorse also took part in four battles near India between 1781 and 1783. The Royal Navy sold her in 1784. After that, she became a merchant ship named Ravensworth. She even made one trip for the British East India Company. In 1789, she was sold again to the French East India Company and renamed Citoyen. The French Navy bought her in 1793 and used her as a frigate until 1801.
Contents
Building a Famous Ship: HMS Seahorse
The order for Seahorse was placed on February 4, 1748. John Barnard, a shipbuilder from Harwich, was chosen to build her. He started building the ship on February 23, 1748.
The ship was designed by Jacob Acworth, who was the Surveyor of the Navy. She was officially named Seahorse on August 23, and launched on September 13, 1748. She joined the Navy in November that year.
Seahorse was finished on February 17, 1749, at Sheerness Dockyard. Building her cost about £4,063, and getting her ready for sea cost another £1,264.
Early Years and Mediterranean Voyages
Seahorse's first captain was Samuel Barrington, who took command in November 1748. He sailed her to the Mediterranean Sea in 1749. By 1752, Seahorse was back in the English Channel.
In April 1753, Hugh Palliser became her new captain. She first served in waters close to Britain. Then, in January 1755, she sailed to North America. She returned to Britain in July of that year, carrying the flag of Admiral Augustus Keppel.
Adventures in the North Sea and Beyond
Captain George Darby took command in 1756 and sailed for Newfoundland on May 15. Captain Thomas Taylor replaced Darby in March 1757. Under Taylor, Seahorse was active in the North Sea.
She even fought against two enemy frigates near Ostend. She was joined by the smaller warships HMS Raven and HMS Bonetta in this battle.
For a short time in July 1758, James Hackman was acting commander. Then, in October, Captain James Smith took over. Seahorse left for North America on February 14, 1759, and spent the rest of the year in Quebec.
Repairs and a Trip to India
On January 24, 1760, Seahorse was checked and found to need major repairs. These repairs were done at Deptford between March and August that year, costing about £5,765.
On January 10, 1761, she fought a battle with the French frigate L’Aigrette. Later that month, Captain Charles Cathcart Grant replaced Smith.
Seahorse sailed for India on February 4, 1761. Her mission was to observe the transit of Venus (when Venus passes in front of the Sun). She then moved to Manila until October 1762, helping with the Battle of Manila (1762).
Nelson's Time Aboard Seahorse
Captain Robert Jocelyn took command in 1763. After this, Seahorse returned to England and was taken out of service in June 1763. More repairs were done in 1770.
She was put back into service in January 1771 under Thomas Pasley. She sailed to the Leeward Islands in August that year.
In 1773, Digby Dent became captain. Seahorse was then taken out of service again for another refit (a major repair and upgrade). She was recommissioned in August 1773 under George Farmer.
This is when Horatio Nelson joined the ship as a midshipman. His uncle, Maurice Suckling, helped him get this position. Another future admiral, Thomas Troubridge, was also a midshipman on Seahorse at this time.
Captain Farmer sailed to the East Indies in November 1773. On February 19, 1775, Seahorse fought two of Hyder Ali's small ships called ketches near Anjengo. John Panton replaced Farmer in June 1777.
Battles in the East Indies
On August 10, 1778, Admiral Edward Vernon's group of ships met a French group. Seahorse was part of Vernon's squadron. An undecided battle took place for about two hours. The French ships then left the fight.
The British ships had 11 men killed and 53 wounded. Seahorse alone lost three men killed and five wounded.
Seahorse captured a French ship named Sartine on August 25, 1778. Sartine was patrolling with another French ship when they saw two British merchant ships. The French ships chased them, but Sartine came too close to Vernon's squadron.
Vernon sent Coventry and Seahorse after Sartine, and she surrendered after a short fight. The Royal Navy took Sartine into service as a frigate.
By February 1779, Alexander M’Coy was in command of Seahorse. Captain Robert Montagu took over in March 1781. Under him, Seahorse was involved in several battles:
- Battle of Sadras on February 17, 1782
- Battle of Providien on April 12, 1782
- Negapatam on July 6, 1782
- Battle of Trincomalee on September 3, 1782
- Cuddalore on June 20, 1783
Charles Hughes took command in 1783, followed by John Drew in 1784.
Seahorse was taken out of service for the last time in March 1784. The Navy sold her on December 30, 1784, for £1,115 to Richard Buller.
A New Life as a Merchant Ship
After Richard Buller bought Seahorse, he had her rebuilt by Randall, Gray and Brent in Rotherhithe. She was turned into an East Indiaman (a large merchant ship) and renamed Ravensworth.
Voyage for the East India Company (1786–1788)
Her first trip as a merchant ship was for the East India Company (EIC). Captain Collingwood Roddam commanded her. She sailed to Madras, Bengal, and Bencoolen.
Ravensworth left the Downs on April 26, 1786. She reached Johanna on July 27 and Madras on August 24. She arrived at Calcutta on September 12.
On her way back, she reached Penang on June 8 and arrived at Calcutta on July 17. Heading home, she reached the Cape of Good Hope on December 29 and Saint Helena on January 28, 1788. She finally arrived back at the Downs on March 30.
Later Merchant Career
After this trip, Buller sold Ravensworth to C. Herries & Co. Records from 1789 show her master as "Drumond" and her trade route as Cork to "L'ornt" (likely Lorient in France). She continued to be listed until 1793.
Becoming a French Ship
French East India Company
The French East India Company bought Ravensworth in 1789. They had her refitted in Bordeaux that same year and renamed her Citoyen.
The French Navy purchased Citoyen in 1793. In 1793, she captured a British ship called Golden Age. Citoyen was last listed in 1801.
