HMS York (1796) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 Great Britain |
|
| Name | Royal Admiral |
| Builder | Barnard, Deptford |
| Laid down | March 1795 |
| Launched | 24 March 1796 |
| Renamed | HMS York |
| Fate | Wrecked January 1804 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 64-gun third rate ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 143330⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 43 ft 2+1⁄2 in (13.2 m) |
| Depth of hold | 19 ft 7+1⁄2 in (6.0 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMS York was a powerful 64-gun warship of the Royal Navy. She was a "ship of the line", meaning she was big enough to fight in a battle line. Launched on March 24, 1796, York spent some time serving in the West Indies. There, she captured many smaller enemy ships. Sadly, she was wrecked in 1804.
Contents
Building a Warship: The Story of HMS York
York started her life differently from most warships. She was first planned as a merchant ship called Royal Admiral. This ship was being built at Barnard's yard in Deptford, England.
But then, the French Revolutionary Wars began. The Royal Navy suddenly needed many more warships. So, they decided to buy five ships that were already being built for trade. These ships were on the River Thames. Royal Admiral was one of them.
The other merchant ships bought by the Navy were Belmont, Princess Royal, Earl Talbot, and Pigot. They became HMS Monmouth, HMS Ardent, HMS Agincourt, and HMS Lancaster.
Because York was originally a merchant ship, she wasn't built exactly like a typical warship. This made her a bit unusual and sometimes hard to handle.
Life at Sea: York's Adventures
Captain John Ferrier took command of York in April 1796. On January 4, 1797, he sailed her to the Leeward Islands.
York spent much of her early service in the Caribbean Sea. This area was busy with trade and often saw naval battles.
Capturing Enemy Ships
On February 8, 1798, York spotted a small American schooner named Fancy near St Thomas. York had to fire 15 warning shots before the schooner stopped. When sailors from York boarded Fancy, they found 12 French passengers. These passengers were trying to throw five bags of money overboard! York took Fancy to Môle-Saint-Nicolas, where she was officially taken as a prize. It was later found that Fancy had also been hiding $25,000 in gold. Most of it had been secretly taken off the ship.
In June and July 1799, York and other British warships captured a Spanish packet boat called Santa Dorval. This ship had four guns and 22 men. She was sailing from Vera Cruz to Havana. Other ships with York during this capture included Carnatic, Alarm, Thunderer, and Volage.
York also captured several merchant ships in June 1799:
- The Spanish schooner Jesus Maria, which was sailing from Jamaica to Porto Rico with false papers. She carried food and other goods.
- The schooner Christopher, flying American flags but carrying coffee and tobacco that belonged to the Dutch.
- The brig James, also flying American flags but carrying coffee and sugar that belonged to the French.
- The brigs Harriot and Ann, flying American flags but carrying French coffee and sugar.
- The schooner Eliza, flying American flags but carrying coffee and sugar from Jeremie to Saint Augustine.
In July, York and Maidstone captured or stopped more ships:
- The brig Ariel, carrying 146,000 pounds of coffee.
- The schooner Lydia, carrying sugar and indigo.
- The brig Romulus (stopped), carrying 662 boxes of sugar.
- The ship Flora, carrying cotton, fustick, and $81,000 in hidden gold.
- The schooner Fair American, carrying 183,000 pounds of coffee and 10,000 pounds of sugar.
In late 1800, York captured a ship called Cronberg. This ship was sailing from St Croix and Havana to London. York brought Cronberg into Jamaica.
Returning Home
In 1801, York sailed back to Britain. She was escorting a large group of 155 merchant ships. All of these ships reached their destination safely. The merchants from the West Indies were so thankful for Captain Ferrier's service that they gave him a special piece of silver plate.
After this, York served under Admiral Nelson. She took part in his attacks on Boulogne, France.
On the night of August 15, the boats of the Third Division, led by Captain Isaac Cotgrave, gathered on York's deck. They attacked but had to pull back early on August 16. In the attack, the British lost five officers and men who were killed, and 31 were wounded. Three of the dead and 16 of the wounded were from York.
In June 1802, York was taken out of active service and placed in ordinary at Woolwich. Between October 1802 and August 1803, she was repaired and refitted at Deptford. Captain Henry Mitford took command of her again in June 1803.
The Final Voyage: York's Loss
On December 26, 1803, York left Woolwich for a regular patrol in the North Sea. She never returned. It is believed that she sank with everyone on board.
It seems that York hit Bell Rock (56°26.052′N 2°23.236′W / 56.434200°N 2.387267°W), a dangerous reef in the North Sea off Arbroath, Scotland. This tragic event was a big reason why the Bell Rock lighthouse was built three years later. Wreckage from York was later found at Cruden Bay and St Coombs, both in Buchan, Aberdeenshire.
