HMS Alfred

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Alfred, 1778
Type: 3rd rate ; Armament 74
Launched : 1778 ; Disposal date or year : 1814
BM: 1638 tons
Complement: 594
Notes:

27 Oct 1793, joined the Channel Fleet and departed in search of the French fleet and squadrons. 18 Nov brief skirmish with a French squadron : by mid-December the fleet had returned to Spithead.

2 May - 1 Jun 1794 Departure of the Channel Fleet from St. Helen's, and the lead up to actions and manoeuvres with the French fleet. 29 May - 1 Jun., what was to be known as the Battle of the Glorious 1st June commences, resulting in the capture of six sail of the line and one sunk. Review of the part performed by each British ship engaged. 13 Jun, the fleet arrived back in home ports.

14 Feb 1795 the Channel fleet departed from Torbay for a brief cruise and to see various convoys safe out of the Channel.

27 Apr 1796 Sainte-Lucie. A squadron, including the Alfred, Captain John Totty, arrived with troops, to reduce the Island, which was achieved by 26 May.

12 Jul 1796 captured the French frigate Renomm�e off St.-Domingo.

Apr 1797 abortive attack on Porto-Rico.

16 Dec 1797 captured the French privateer Decides off Martinique.

20 Jan 1798 captured the French privateer Racontre off Dominica.

11 Aug 1801 orders came down to victual the following prison ships in Hamoaze, viz. Sampson, 64, Prudent, 64, Alfred, 74, and Europe, of 64 guns each ; to receive 2570 French prisoners from Mill Prison, it being the intention of government to put them all afloat as they arrive.

20 Aug 1801 Commissioner Schank, of the Transport Board, to superintend the embarkation of the French prisoners from Mill Prison on board five prison ships in Hamoaze.

15 Oct 1801 last night was exhibited the grandest spectacle, on the glorious news of peace, ever seen in the west of England, The following corps assembled on the lines at Dock : the 29th regiment, 1st Devon, 2d Royal Lancashire, 2d Royal Surrey, Plymouth (or Prince, of Wale's) Volunteers, Plymouth Blues, Langmead's Volunteers. Julian's Rangers, Dock Volunteers, Dock Association, Seobill's Artillery, Stonehouse Volunteers, with laurel in their cockades, in all 5,000 men, under command of Major-General England ; the Royal invalids assembled in the Citadel, the Royal Artillery and Artificers were at the Citadel, East and West King, Mount Wise, and the line batteries ; the Bedford regiment, and Cawsand Artillery, were at Maker Height redoubts At seven o'clock a rocket was thrown up from the main guard, when a blaze of artillery, from 220 pieces of cannon, began, followed by a volley from all the corps, in honour of the victorious army of Great Britain and Ireland in Egypt. A second discharge of artillery took place, followed by three excellent feu de joies from the whole line ; each fire was answered by three cheers from the French prisoners on board seven prison ships in Hamoaze. The night being gloomy, the coup l'oeil hid a very fine, grand, and magnificent effect : the hills and high grounds were lined with thousands of spectators to witness the beautiful sight.

14 Mar 1802 remains in Hamoaze as a prison ship for prisoners of war ; Capt J Manley, RN, Superintendent of Prisoners of War.

May 1805 Plymouth to repair in Ordinary

26 Jul 1807 departed as a part of a fleet of 38 vessels for Copenhagen and was present from 15 Aug - 20 Oct 1807 for the siege and bombardment of Copenhagen and capture of Danish Fleet by Adm. Gambier.

Dec 1807 had departed from England to join a squadron under R.-Adm. Sir W. S. Smith, blockading the Tagus.

9 Feb 1810 a part of a British squadron at Basse-terre which discovered the French frigate N�r�ide off the port and proceeded in chase.

4 Jul 1811 Reported to have departed from Cadiz on a cruise.

Cadiz Circa Dec 21 1811 Remains.

Cadiz Circa 30 Jan 1812 Remains.

Portsmouth Sep 16 1812 departed with transports, for Corunna.

Cork Oct 14 1812 20th Regiment embarked on board this ship and accompanying vessels.

Portsmouth Dec 2 1812 arrived from Lisbon, with troopships and transports with prisoners and wounded officers onboard.