HMS Termagant (1796) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Termagant |
| Ordered | 24 January 1795 |
| Builder | John Dudman, Deptford |
| Laid down | May 1795 |
| Launched | 23 April 1796 |
| Honours and awards |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Egypt" |
| Fate | Sold for breaking up on 3 February 1819 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type |
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| Tons burthen | 4273⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 29 ft 9 in (9.07 m) |
| Depth of hold | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 121 |
| Armament |
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HMS Termagant was a British warship, an 18-gun sloop, which is a type of small, fast warship. She was part of the Royal Navy, Britain's navy. The ship was built and launched in 1796 and served for many years before being sold in 1819.
Contents
HMS Termagant: A British Warship's Story
Early Missions and Captures
Termagant played an important role during the French Revolutionary Wars. These were a series of big conflicts between France and other European countries, including Great Britain.
In mid-1797, Termagant helped protect other ships by doing "convoy duty." This meant she sailed with groups of merchant ships to keep them safe from enemy attacks. She traveled between places like The Nore (a naval anchorage in England) and Riga (a city in Latvia). She often sailed with another British warship, HMS Clyde.
On December 28, 1797, Termagant was sailing near Spurn Head in England when her crew spotted a French privateer. A privateer was a private ship that was allowed by its government to attack enemy merchant ships. Termagant chased the French schooner, named Victoire, for four hours. Finally, she managed to capture it. The Victoire had 14 guns and a crew of 74 men. It had already captured two coal ships and was chasing another British merchant ship when Termagant found her. The Royal Navy later used the captured Victoire as one of their own ships.
More Captures and Support in Egypt
On September 1, 1800, Termagant, led by Captain Skipsey, chased and captured a French Navy ship called Capricieuse. This happened near Corsica. The Capricieuse was a type of ship called a polacca, armed with six guns and carrying 68 men. It was on its way to Egypt with weapons, a French general, and other important supplies. The French crew tried to destroy their secret messages before the British boarded, but Termagant still captured the ship.
Just three days later, Termagant captured another ship, a privateer named General Holtz. This ship had two guns and 26 men. Captain Skipsey decided to sink the privateer because it wasn't worth keeping.
In January 1801, Termagant teamed up with another British ship, Port Mahon. Together, they captured a French Navy ship called Guerrier. This ship was a half-xebec, sailing from Toulon, France, to Alexandria, Egypt, with weapons and ammunition.
Termagant also took part in the British navy's campaign in Egypt from March to September 1801. Because of her service there, the officers and crew of Termagant were later awarded a special medal called the Naval General Service Medal with a clasp marked "Egypt." This medal was given to those who survived and claimed it in 1850.
Helping Spanish Fighters
In May 1812, Termagant, now under Captain Gawen William Rowan-Hamilton, worked with two other British ships, Hyacinth and Basilisk. They supported Spanish guerrilla fighters on the coast of Granada, Spain. Guerrillas are small groups of fighters who use surprise attacks and other tactics against a larger, regular army.
On May 20, Termagant helped destroy a castle in a town called Nerja. A few days later, the British ships helped the guerrillas attack Almuñécar. On May 24, Termagant, Hyacinth, and Basilisk found a French privateer with two guns and 30 to 40 men hiding near the castle. The British ships fired their cannons at the castle, breaking holes in its walls. The French soldiers then had to retreat. Only one person on Termagant was wounded during this action.
End of Service
After many years of service, HMS Termagant was no longer needed. On February 3, 1819, the British Navy offered her for sale. She was described as a ship of 28 guns and 427 tons, located at Chatham. Termagant was sold on that same day to a person named James Graham for £1,460.
