HMS Volage (1807) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Volage |
| Ordered | 30 January 1805 |
| Builder | Richard Chapman, Bideford |
| Laid down | January 1806 |
| Launched | 23 March 1807 |
| Completed | 8 September 1807 at Plymouth Dockyard |
| Commissioned | May 1807 |
| Honours and awards |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Lissa" |
| Fate | Sold on 29 January 1818 |
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | Rochester |
| Owner | Hills & Co. |
| Acquired | 1818 by purchase |
| Fate | Last mentioned in lists in 1831 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 22-gun Laurel-class sixth-rate post ship |
| Tons burthen | 52947⁄94, or 530, or 545 (bm) |
| Length |
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| Beam | 31 ft 9 in (9.7 m) |
| Depth of hold | 10 ft 3 in (3.1 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 155 |
| Armament |
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HMS Volage was a Royal Navy warship. She was a 22-gun Laurel-class post ship. This means she was a smaller warship, but still important. Volage served during the Napoleonic War. She captured four enemy ships and fought in the Battle of Lissa (1811). In 1818, she was sold and renamed Rochester. She then became a merchant ship for 12 more years. She sailed between England and India. Later, she made two trips to hunt whales in the South Seas. She was last mentioned in shipping records in 1831.
Contents
Volage was built by Richard Chapman in Bideford, England. She was launched on March 23, 1807. In May 1807, she officially joined the Royal Navy. Captain Philip Rosenhagen took command. Soon after, in October 1807, she sailed to the Mediterranean Sea.
Capturing Enemy Ships
On November 6, 1807, Volage captured a French ship called Succès. This ship had ten guns and 59 men. It was sailing from Toulon, France.
The next year, on July 28, 1808, Volage chased and captured another French ship. This was the brig Requin (meaning "Shark"). Requin had 16 guns and 108 men. The chase lasted nine hours. Requin threw things overboard to try and escape. But Volage caught her near Corsica. The British later used Requin in their own navy. They renamed her HMS Sabine.
Almost a year later, Volage captured two more privateer ships. Privateers were private ships allowed to attack enemy merchant ships. On September 6, 1809, she captured Annunciate. On September 20, she captured Jason.
Helping the Army
In June 1810, sailors from Volage and another ship, HMS Bustard, worked together. They entered a port near Cortone. There, they destroyed 25 enemy ships. These ships were carrying supplies for an army in Sicily.
The Battle of Lissa
In 1810, Captain Phipps Hornby took command of Volage. She then served in the Adriatic Sea. On March 13, 1811, Volage fought in the famous Battle of Lissa. This was a big naval battle. Volage fought against much larger French ships. The battle was tough for Volage. She had 13 men killed and 33 wounded. The ship was also badly damaged.
After the battle, Volage sailed back to England. She carried a famous passenger, Lord Byron. He was a well-known poet. Years later, in 1847, a special medal was given. It was the Naval General Service Medal. It honored all who fought at the Battle of Lissa.
Service in the East Indies
In 1812, Captain Donald Hugh Mackay took command. Volage was sent to the East Indies. She carried Sir Evan Nepean, who was becoming governor of Bombay. She also protected three other ships.
In June 1813, Volage was under Captain Samuel Leslie. Her sailors helped capture a pirate base. This was at Sambas, in Borneo. They quickly captured five enemy forts. In September, Volage also helped restore the Sultan of Palembang. Captain Leslie left Volage in early 1814.
After a few more captains, Volage sailed back to Britain. This was in February 1816.
Volage was sold on January 29, 1818. A person named Mr. Lackland bought her for £1,600. She was bought to be used as a merchant ship. She was then renamed Rochester.
A New Life: Mercantile Career
After being sold, Rochester began a new life. She became a merchant ship. Her details first appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1818. This book listed information about ships.
Sailing to India
In 1813, a big change happened. The East India Company (EIC) lost its special right to trade between India and Britain. This meant other British ships could now sail to India. They just needed a license from the EIC. Rochester was one of these ships. She sailed from England to Bengal, India, on April 14, 1818. Her master was D. Sutton. Her owner was Hills & Co.
Whaling Voyages
Later, Hills & Co. decided to use Rochester for whaling. Whaling ships hunted whales for their oil. Rochester made two long voyages to the Southern Whale Fishery.
Her first whaling trip started on February 8, 1823. Captain Charles B. Worth was in command. She sailed to Peru. During this trip, she visited many places. These included Tonga, the Bay of Islands, Rotuma, and Honolulu. Sadly, Captain Worth died during the voyage. Another captain, Captain Clunie, brought the ship back to England. They returned on February 1, 1827. They had over 1,800 barrels of whale oil.
Her second whaling trip began on November 17, 1827. Captain Folger was the master. This time, she sailed towards the Seychelles. She was reported to be in Honolulu in January 1829. Captain Smith brought her back to England. They arrived on September 19, 1830. This time, they had 780 casks of whale oil. This was a very large amount for an English whaler at the time.
Rochester was last mentioned in Lloyd's Register in 1831.
Images for kids
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HMS Amphion, Cerberus, Volage, and Active attacking the United French and Italian Squadrons at the Battle of Lissa in the Adriatic, on 13 March 1811
