HMS Euryalus (1803): Difference between revisions
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== Battle of Trafalgar == |
== Battle of Trafalgar == |
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''Euryalus'' was built by [[Henry Adams (shipbuilder)|Henry Adams's]] firm at [[Bucklers Hard]], and launched in 1803. In 1805, captained by [[Henry Blackwood]], she led a squadron of four other frigates in watching [[Cádiz]] to report the movements of the combined [[France|French]] and [[Spain|Spanish]] fleets anchored there.<ref>{{citebook|title=Trafalgar: the men, the battle, the storm|author= Tim Clayton & Phil Craig|year= 2004|publisher=Hodder and Stoughton|url= http://nla.gov.au/anbd.bib-an26376559|isbn=9780340830277}}</ref> The combined fleet sailed from Cádiz on 20 October and was shadowed through the night by the ''Euryalus'' and others which reported its position to the Royal Navy fleet on the horizon. |
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With battle imminent the following morning, Captain Blackwood proposed that Admiral [[Horatio Nelson]] transfer from [[HMS Victory|HMS ''Victory'']] to the faster ''Euryalus'', the better to observe and control the engagement. This offer was declined and - being too small to play a major role - |
With battle imminent the following morning, Captain Blackwood proposed that Admiral [[Horatio Nelson]] transfer from [[HMS Victory|HMS ''Victory'']] to the faster ''Euryalus'', the better to observe and control the engagement. This offer was declined and - being too small to play a major role - ''Euryalus'' stood off until the late afternoon when she took the badly damaged [[HMS Royal Sovereign (1786)|HMS ''Royal Sovereign'']] in tow and turned her to engage the French ship [[French ship Formidable (1795)|''Formidable'']]. |
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Following the death of Admiral Nelson, Admiral [[Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood|Cuthbert Collingwood]] transferred his flag from |
Following the death of Admiral Nelson, Admiral [[Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood|Cuthbert Collingwood]] transferred his flag from ''Royal Sovereign'' to ''Euryalus'' which became for the next ten days the flagship for the remaining Royal Navy fleet. |
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After the battle |
After the battle ''Euryalus'' took on survivors from French battleship [[French ship Achille (1803)|''Achille'']], as well as the captured French Admiral [[Pierre de Villeneuve]]. Blackwood also received the surrender of the Spanish ship [[Spanish ship Santa Ana|''Santa Ana'']], after two raking broadsides to the stern by ''Royal Sovereign'' and [[HMS Belleisle (1795)|''Belleisle'']] had caused her to strike her colours. |
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''Royal Sovereign'' was again taken in tow but the two ships collided during a sudden squall, badly damaging the frigate's masts and rigging. Once repairs were completed, ''Euryalus'' was sent into Cádiz Harbour to allow Blackwood to negotiate an exchange of prisoners and the repatriation of French and Spanish wounded. |
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On 31 October, |
On 31 October, ''Euryalus'' set sail for England with Admiral Villeneuve as a prisoner. |
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== War of 1812 == |
== War of 1812 == |
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After serving in minor roles in a number of theatres, |
After serving in minor roles in a number of theatres, ''Euryalus'' was in the Mediterranean when Captain (later Admiral) [[Charles John Napier|Charles Napier]] took command. She took part in successful commerce raiding and the blockade of [[Toulon]]. On 21 April in company with [[HMS Undaunted (1807)|''Undaunted'']] she entered the harbour where her captain was advised of the defeat of [[Napoleon]]; ''Undaunted'' was detailed to transport him to [[Elba]]. Napier took ''Euryalus'' across the Atlantic for service in the [[War of 1812]], including the expedition up the [[Potomac]] (August-September 1814), in which he was second in command of the squadron under [[James Alexander Gordon]], and the bombardment of [[Fort McHenry]]. Following these operations Napier also issued a challenge to the captain of [[USS Constellation (1797)|US frigate ''Constellation'']] to meet ''Euryalus'' in single-ship combat, which was accepted, but ''Euryalus'' was required for the naval operations preceding the [[Battle of New Orleans]] and peace was signed before the engagement could be fulfilled. During Napoleon's '[[Hundred Days]]' ''Euryalus'' was engaged in landing troops at the mouth of the River [[Scheldt]]. |
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== Decommissioning == |
== Decommissioning == |
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''Euryalus'' was decommissioned in 1825 and converted into a [[hulk (ship)|prison hulk]] at Chatham. In 1847 she was moved to Gibraltar, and was sold for breaking up in 1860. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 11:47, 25 June 2009
| History | |
|---|---|
 Great Britain | |
| Name | HMS Euryalus |
| Launched | 1803 |
| Decommissioned | 1825 |
| Reclassified | Prison hulk, 1825 |
| Fate | Broken up, 1860 |
| General characteristics | |
| Complement | 264 men |
| Armament | 36 guns |
HMS Euryalus was a Royal Navy frigate of 36 guns, which saw service in the Battle of Trafalgar and the War of 1812. She was named for one of Argonauts - the mythical band of heroes who accompanied Jason in his search for the Golden Fleece.
Battle of Trafalgar
Euryalus was built by Henry Adams's firm at Bucklers Hard, and launched in 1803. In 1805, captained by Henry Blackwood, she led a squadron of four other frigates in watching Cádiz to report the movements of the combined French and Spanish fleets anchored there.[1] The combined fleet sailed from Cádiz on 20 October and was shadowed through the night by the Euryalus and others which reported its position to the Royal Navy fleet on the horizon.
With battle imminent the following morning, Captain Blackwood proposed that Admiral Horatio Nelson transfer from HMS Victory to the faster Euryalus, the better to observe and control the engagement. This offer was declined and - being too small to play a major role - Euryalus stood off until the late afternoon when she took the badly damaged HMS Royal Sovereign in tow and turned her to engage the French ship Formidable.
Following the death of Admiral Nelson, Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood transferred his flag from Royal Sovereign to Euryalus which became for the next ten days the flagship for the remaining Royal Navy fleet.
After the battle Euryalus took on survivors from French battleship Achille, as well as the captured French Admiral Pierre de Villeneuve. Blackwood also received the surrender of the Spanish ship Santa Ana, after two raking broadsides to the stern by Royal Sovereign and Belleisle had caused her to strike her colours.
Royal Sovereign was again taken in tow but the two ships collided during a sudden squall, badly damaging the frigate's masts and rigging. Once repairs were completed, Euryalus was sent into Cádiz Harbour to allow Blackwood to negotiate an exchange of prisoners and the repatriation of French and Spanish wounded.
On 31 October, Euryalus set sail for England with Admiral Villeneuve as a prisoner.
War of 1812
After serving in minor roles in a number of theatres, Euryalus was in the Mediterranean when Captain (later Admiral) Charles Napier took command. She took part in successful commerce raiding and the blockade of Toulon. On 21 April in company with Undaunted she entered the harbour where her captain was advised of the defeat of Napoleon; Undaunted was detailed to transport him to Elba. Napier took Euryalus across the Atlantic for service in the War of 1812, including the expedition up the Potomac (August-September 1814), in which he was second in command of the squadron under James Alexander Gordon, and the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Following these operations Napier also issued a challenge to the captain of US frigate Constellation to meet Euryalus in single-ship combat, which was accepted, but Euryalus was required for the naval operations preceding the Battle of New Orleans and peace was signed before the engagement could be fulfilled. During Napoleon's 'Hundred Days' Euryalus was engaged in landing troops at the mouth of the River Scheldt.
Decommissioning
Euryalus was decommissioned in 1825 and converted into a prison hulk at Chatham. In 1847 she was moved to Gibraltar, and was sold for breaking up in 1860.
References
- ^ Tim Clayton & Phil Craig (2004). Trafalgar: the men, the battle, the storm. Hodder and Stoughton. ISBN 9780340830277.