HMS Tartar (1801) facts for kids
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Tartar
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Tartar |
| Builder | Brindley, Frindsbury |
| Launched | 27 June 1801 |
| Commissioned | July 1801 |
| Honours and awards |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Anholt 27 March 1811" |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Narcissus-class fifth-rate frigate |
| Tons burthen | 894 64⁄94 bm |
| Length |
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| Beam | 37 ft 8+1⁄2 in (11.5 m) |
| Draught |
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| Depth of hold | 12 ft 6 in (3.8 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMS Tartar was a fast sailing frigate of the Royal Navy. She was built in 1801 and had 32 guns. Tartar was known for capturing enemy ships, especially privateers, in places like the Caribbean Sea. She also played a big part in the Gunboat War in the Baltic Sea. Sadly, she ran aground and was lost off the coast of Estonia in 1811.
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Adventures in the Caribbean Sea
In July 1801, Captain James Walker became the first commander of Tartar. She sailed to Jamaica in October. The next year, Captain Charles Inglis took over.
In 1803, Captain John Perkins became her commander. Tartar was part of a group of ships blocking the port of Saint-Domingue. On July 25, she helped capture the large French ship Duquesne. Tartar was faster than her friends and kept Duquesne busy until other British ships arrived.
Later that year, Tartar and other ships captured several French frigates and smaller vessels. One of these, Surveillante, had a French general named Rochambeau on board. These captured ships were then used by the British Navy.
Captain Perkins also helped Edward Corbet, a British official, travel to Haiti. Corbet's job was to talk with Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the new leader of Haiti.
In 1804, Captain Keith Maxwell took command of Tartar. She ran aground in Bermuda, but a small schooner, HMS Mackerel, helped her get free.
On July 31, Tartar chased a French privateer called Hirondelle. This ship was known for being very fast. Captain Maxwell sent small boats to attack Hirondelle because Tartar couldn't get close enough. The British captured the privateer with only two men wounded. The French lost many more.
At the end of 1804, Captain Edward Hawker became Tartar's commander. On January 9, 1805, Tartar and another ship, Surveillante, captured a Spanish ship named Batidor.
In May 1805, Tartar was badly damaged when she hit a reef. Five shipbuilders from Halifax came to Bermuda to fix her. They worked for six weeks, and Tartar was able to sail again on July 28.
On May 6, 1806, Tartar captured an American ship called Romulus. A month later, Tartar and Bacchus captured a French ship called Observateur. This ship was then added to the Royal Navy.
Later in 1806, Captain Hawker left Tartar. The ship returned to England for repairs because a hurricane had damaged her masts. Tartar was taken out of service in October 1807 and underwent major repairs until April 1808.
Battles in the Baltic Sea
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In October 1807, Captain George Bettesworth took command of Tartar. She was prepared for duty in the Baltic Sea, where the Gunboat War between Britain and Denmark-Norway was happening.
The Battle of Alvøen
Tartar sailed to attack a Dutch frigate near Bergen, Norway. On May 15, 1808, Tartar arrived, but the Dutch ship had already left. Captain Bettesworth decided to send boats into the harbor to capture some merchant ships and privateers. However, the harbor was well-protected by a heavy chain and strong gunfire.
As Tartar tried to leave, she was attacked by Norwegian gunboats. Captain Bettesworth and a young officer were killed early in the fight. Twelve more men were wounded before Tartar could get away. The Norwegians also lost some men and a gunboat.
More Captures in the Baltic
After Captain Bettesworth's death, Captain Joseph Baker took command in May. On November 3, Tartar captured a Danish privateer called Naargske Gutten. Six days later, Tartar and Constant captured another ship, Jonge Minert.
On July 27, 1808, Tartar helped Cygnet capture a Dutch privateer named Christiana. This privateer had 12 guns and 60 men.
In March 1809, Tartar and other British ships captured several Danish vessels in the Baltic Sea. Tartar alone captured the Danish privateer Falcon on March 13. Three days later, she captured Kron Prince Frederick, which was carrying valuable spices.
Tartar also helped capture other ships like Vergnugen, Gustaff, Caroline, and St Johannes in April. Later that month, she captured Charlotte and Maria Dorothea with other British ships.
On May 15, 1809, Captain Baker and Tartar chased a Danish privateer near Courland. The privateer's crew ran their ship ashore and left it. Baker sent his boats to capture it. During the capture, one of the British sailors found a lit candle in the ship's gunpowder room and put it out just in time. This saved the boarding party from a huge explosion. The privateer was likely named Felix.
In October 1809, Tartar helped Cheerful capture three more enemy ships. In April 1810, Tartar captured Crown Sloop No. 9. She also helped capture Enighied with Nightingale.
Later in 1810, Tartar and Raleigh captured Twende Broders. Tartar then captured several other ships by herself, including Anna Maria Elizabeth, Enigheit, Emanuel, and Eliza Maria.
The Battle of Anholt
In early 1811, the British learned that the Danes planned to attack the island of Anholt. This island had a small British military base. Vice Admiral Sir James Saumarez sent Tartar and Sheldrake to help defend the island. They arrived on March 26.
On March 27, the Danish invasion force arrived. They had over 1000 soldiers and 18 gunboats. The British soldiers fought bravely and stopped the Danish attack. Tartar and Sheldrake fired their guns, forcing the Danish gunboats to retreat.
Tartar chased three gunboats but had to give up because of shallow water. On her way back, Tartar captured two Danish transport ships. One had 22 soldiers and ammunition, and the other had supplies. Sheldrake managed to capture two gunboats.
The Battle of Anholt was a big victory for the British. They lost only two men killed and 30 wounded. The Danes lost their commander, 50 men killed, and over 600 men captured. The British also captured artillery, muskets, and ammunition.
Because the island of Anholt was considered a "ship" for administrative reasons (called "HMS Anholt"), Tartar shared prize money with the island and Sheldrake for the battle and captured gunboats. Years later, in 1847, a special medal was given to the British survivors of the battle.
After Anholt, Tartar and Ethalion captured several more ships in June and July 1811, including St. Helena, St. Johannes, St. Alexa, and the packet of Abo. They also captured Commerce, St Ivan, and several Danish galiots and sloops.
The Final Voyage
On August 18, 1811, Tartar ran aground near Dagö Island off Estonia. She started leaking water. Her crew managed to get her off the ground, but she kept filling with water. Captain Baker then ran her ashore on August 21 at Kahar Islet. He later burned her to prevent the enemy from capturing her.
All of Tartar's crew were rescued by Ethalion. They were then sent to serve on other ships in the Baltic Sea. A naval court later cleared Captain Baker and his crew of any blame for the loss of Tartar.
