HMS Thetis (1773) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Great Britain |
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| Name | HMS Thetis |
| Namesake | Thetis |
| Ordered | 25 December 1770 |
| Builder | Wyatt & Co. Buckler's Hard |
| Laid down | 1771 |
| Launched | 1773 |
| Commissioned | 1777 |
| Out of service | 1781 |
| Fate | Wrecked 1780 |
| General characteristics as built | |
| Class and type | 32-gun fifth-rate Amazon-class frigate (1773) frigate |
| Length |
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| Beam | 35 ft 1.75 in (10.7125 m) |
| Draught |
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| Depth of hold | 12 ft 2 in (3.71 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 220 |
| Armament |
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HMS Thetis was a 32-gun frigate of the Royal Navy. She was built in 1773 by Wyatt & Co. at the Buckler's Hard shipyard in Great Britain. A "fifth-rate" ship meant she was a medium-sized warship.
Life at Sea
Thetis served with the North American squadron from 1777 to 1781. This squadron was a group of ships that protected British interests in North America. In January 1778, Captain John Gell was in charge of the ship.
The Great Convoy Attack
In 1780, Thetis was part of a group of ships called a convoy. A convoy is when many merchant ships travel together for safety. Warships like Thetis protect them from enemy attacks.
On August 9, 1780, a large group of French and Spanish warships attacked this convoy. They managed to capture 55 merchant ships. However, Thetis was lucky and managed to escape the attack.
End of Her Journey
Sadly, Thetis did not last much longer. In 1780, the same year as the convoy attack, she was wrecked. This means the ship was badly damaged and destroyed, likely by hitting rocks or running aground.
