HMS York (1807) facts for kids
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HMS York in Prison-ship in Portsmouth Harbour at Fort Blockhouse with convicts going on board, by Edward William Cooke
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS York |
| Ordered | 31 January 1805 |
| Builder | Brent, Rotherhithe |
| Laid down | August 1805 |
| Launched | 7 July 1807 |
| Fate | Broken up, 1854 |
| Notes | Prison ship from 1819 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Fame-class ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 1743 (bm) |
| Length | 175 ft (53 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam | 47 ft 6 in (14.48 m) |
| Depth of hold | 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament |
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HMS York was a large sailing warship of the Royal Navy. It was called a "74-gun third-rate ship of the line". This means it was a powerful ship with 74 cannons. It was built in Rotherhithe, England, and launched on July 7, 1807.
The ship served during the Napoleonic Wars. However, it is most famous for its later role as a prison ship. HMS York was eventually taken apart in March 1854.
Contents
Life as a Warship
HMS York joined the British Navy when the biggest battles of the Napoleonic Wars were already over. Still, it took part in some important missions.
Early Missions
After it was built, Captain Robert Barton commanded HMS York. The ship joined a group of warships led by Sir Samuel Hood, 1st Baronet. Together, they helped take control of Madeira, an island in the Atlantic Ocean.
Caribbean Adventures
In 1809, HMS York was sent to the West Indies. There, it helped capture Martinique, another island. Later that year, a strong French fleet arrived near Guadeloupe. British forces, including HMS York, surrounded them. The British then invaded and captured the islands. HMS York was one of the ships that shared in the rewards from this capture.
Other Campaigns
In July and August of 1809, HMS York was part of the Walcheren Campaign. This was a difficult landing operation in the Netherlands. The ship also served with the British fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, near Toulon. On December 17, 1813, HMS York captured a ship named Marie Antoinette.
From Warship to Prison Ship
In 1819, HMS York sailed into Portsmouth harbour. Its fighting days were over. The ship was stripped of its masts and cannons. It was then turned into a prison ship.
Life as a Prison Ship
HMS York is best remembered as a prison ship. A famous drawing by Edward William Cooke shows it in this role. The picture shows clothes hanging to dry above its decks, where sails used to be. The ship would hold about 500 prisoners at a time.
End of Service
After many years of serving as a prison ship in the harbour, HMS York was finally taken apart. This happened in March 1854.
