HMS Sheerness (1743) facts for kids
Sheerness
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Quick facts for kids History |
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.svg){kind=small} Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Sheerness |
| Ordered | 7 January 1743 |
| Builder | John Buxton, Snr, Rotherhithe |
| Laid down | 24 January 1743 |
| Launched | 8 October 1743 |
| Completed | By 19 November 1743 |
| Fate | Sold on 26 July 1768 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 24-gun sixth rate frigate |
| Tons burthen | 508 69⁄94 bm |
| Length |
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| Beam | 32 ft 1 in (9.78 m) |
| Depth of hold | 11 ft (3.4 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 140 (160 from 1745) |
| Armament |
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HMS Sheerness was a British warship launched in 1743. It was a 24-gun sixth rate frigate of the Royal Navy. This means it was a fast, medium-sized ship with 24 cannons. Sheerness played a role in important events, including the Jacobite Rising and the Seven Years' War.
Contents
Serving During the Jacobite Rising
Sheerness was commanded by Captain O'Brian. The ship patrolled the North Sea during the 1745 Jacobite Rising. This was a time when supporters of the exiled Stuart royal family, called Jacobites, tried to regain the British throne.
In November 1745, Sheerness captured a French ship. This ship was carrying supplies to Montrose, Scotland. It also had several Jacobite officers on board. One of these officers was Charles Radclyffe, who was later executed in London.
The Skirmish of Tongue
On March 26, 1746, Sheerness was involved in a chase. It pursued a Jacobite ship called Le Prince Charles. This ship used to be a British warship named HMS Hazard. Sheerness chased Le Prince Charles into the Kyle of Tongue in Scotland.
The crew of Le Prince Charles left their ship. They took with them £13,000 in gold. This money was meant to help pay for the Jacobite Rising. However, government soldiers stopped them. The Jacobite crew was forced to surrender.
Later Service and Innovations
In 1752, Sheerness received a new upgrade. It was fitted with special air pumps called Hales ventilators. These ventilators were powered by a windmill on the ship. They helped to improve the air quality below deck.
During the Seven Years' War, Sheerness continued its duties. On August 18, 1756, it captured a French merchant ship named Auguste off the coast of Spain. The Auguste was later sold to British merchants. It was renamed 'Augusta'. Sadly, 'Augusta' was wrecked in 1761 while carrying French passengers.
HMS Sheerness was eventually sold in 1768.
