Townshend Packet (1800 ship) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Great Britain
Name	Townshend Packet
Builder	Falmouth
Launched	1800
Captured	18 February 1814
General characteristics
Tons burthen	189 (bm)
Armament	1812: 2 × 6-pounder guns + 8 × 12-pounder carronades

The Townshend Packet was a British ship launched in 1800. It was a special kind of ship called a "packet." Packet ships were important because they carried mail, passengers, and valuable goods across the seas. The Townshend Packet worked for the Post Office Packet Service, which was like the mail delivery service of its time.

This ship made many trips between Falmouth, England, and Lisbon, Portugal. It also sailed to places like the West Indies, Brazil, and the Mediterranean Sea. The Townshend Packet was involved in two exciting battles with American privateers. Privateers were like private ships that were allowed to attack enemy ships during wartime. In one battle, the Americans captured the Townshend Packet but then let it go. In another, the Townshend Packet fought off its attacker. Sadly, a French warship captured and sank the Townshend Packet in 1814.

Adventures at Sea

The Townshend Packet was built in Falmouth in 1800. Its first captain was Richard Dodd, who took command in April 1800.

In September 1806, there was a report that a French privateer had captured the Townshend Packet near the Isle of Scilly. However, the ship was soon released. It sailed from Lisbon on October 7 and arrived back in Falmouth on October 16.

Roger P. Western became the ship's captain in February 1809. Later that year, on January 24, the Townshend Packet was pushed ashore by a storm in Falmouth. Luckily, people expected to get it back into the water.

Between 1809 and 1811, the Townshend Packet made a stop in Cagliari, Sardinia. Famous poet Lord Byron and his friend John Cam Hobhouse were passengers on the ship, traveling to Malta.

James Cock became the ship's captain in July 1810.

Capturing a Brig

On May 4, 1811, the Townshend Packet was sailing to the Mediterranean. During this trip, it captured a Batavian government brig. A brig is a type of sailing ship. This Batavian brig had six guns and 30 men. It was carrying a valuable cargo of spices and important messages.

The Batavian captain tried to sink his messages before the Townshend Packet could capture them. The Townshend Packet sent its captured ship towards Falmouth. However, near the Isle of Scilly, another British warship, HMS Orestes, took control of the brig and brought it to Plymouth.

Battle with Privateers

On November 22, 1812, the Townshend Packet was close to Barbados. It met two American privateer schooners. A schooner is another type of sailing ship. These were the Tom, led by Captain Tom Wilson, and the Bona, led by Captain John Dameron.

The Townshend Packet was much smaller and had fewer guns than the American ships. But Captain Cock decided to fight back bravely.

Here's a quick look at the ships involved:

The battle started at 7:30 AM. The American ships fired, damaging the Townshend Packet's sails and making holes in its hull. Water began to fill the ship. The Americans tried to board the Townshend Packet several times, but Captain Cock and his crew fought them off.

Finally, around 10 AM, Captain Cock had to surrender. His master had been killed, and 10 men were wounded. The Americans took control of the ship. Captain Wilson even gave Captain Cock a note saying how bravely he had fought.

The Townshend Packet was sinking. The Americans suggested putting Captain Cock and his crew into their small boats and setting the Townshend Packet on fire. But Captain Cock explained that his boats were also damaged and many of his men were hurt. He worried they wouldn't reach shore safely. The Americans agreed to let Captain Cock keep his ship if he paid them £1200. They took some things from the Townshend Packet and then left. Captain Cock and his crew quickly repaired the ship enough to sail it into Barbados that evening.

Another Escape

After repairs, the Townshend Packet left Barbados in early January 1813. On January 18, it met another American privateer schooner. The American ship fired at the Townshend Packet and started chasing it. Captain Cock fired his stern chasers, which are guns at the back of the ship.

At 3:30 PM, Captain Cock managed to shoot down the American ship's foreyard, a part of its mast. Seeing the American crew in confusion, Captain Cock turned his ship and fired a broadside, hitting the American ship's rigging again. He then sped away, still firing his stern guns. By 4 PM, the American schooner fell behind. A sudden squall, a strong gust of wind and rain, at 4:15 PM separated the ships completely. This allowed the Townshend Packet to escape safely.

Ship's Final Journey

The Townshend Packet sailed from Rio de Janeiro on December 19, 1813, heading for Falmouth. On February 18, 1814, a French warship called the French frigate Clorinde captured the Townshend Packet. Captain James Cock was still in command.

The French captain, Denis Lagarde, tried to trick Captain Cock by flying Portuguese flags. But Captain Cock suspected it was a French ship. He quickly threw all his important mail overboard before the French sailors boarded the Townshend Packet. While the French were taking things from the ship, two other ships appeared in the distance. The French quickly stopped what they were doing and sank the Townshend Packet.

Captain Cock and his crew were taken aboard the Clorinde. They were below deck when, on February 25, the British warship HMS Eurotas captured the Clorinde.

Sadly, Captain Cock died a few months later. Before he passed away, the Prince Regent of Portugal gave him a gold medal and a special military award. This was to honor Captain Cock for his brave service carrying mail between Lisbon and Falmouth.