Dragon, 1798
Type: 3rd rate ; Armament 74
Launched : 2 Apr 1798 ; Disposal date or year : 1850
BM: 1815 tons
Notes:

25 Apr 1799 cruising off Brest.

15 Jan 1799 Portsmouth, at Spithead ; 17th dropped down to St. Helen's in preparation for a cruise off Brest ; 20th remains at St. Helen's.

28 Jan 1799 Portsmouth, departed with the squadron under Queen Charlotte, for a cruise off Brest.

1 Feb 1799 Plymouth, came in with damage.

5 Feb 1799 Plymouth, departed to join Admiral Thompson's fleet off Brest.

27 Feb 1799 Plymouth, departed for Torbay with the Formidable, Canada, Superb, and Lancaster.

12 Mar 1799 Plymouth, remains in Cawsand Bay.

24 Mar 1799 Plymouth, departed to join the Channel fleet.

27 Mar 1799 Plymouth, remains with the squadron in Cawsand Bay.

6 Apr 1799 departed from Cawsand Bay to join the Channel fleet.

8 Jun 1799 Plymouth, reports received here advise that 16 ships of the line and 4 frigates were detached by Lord Bridport for the Straits.

7 Jul 1799 joined the Mediterranean fleet off Minorca.

15 Nov 1799 Plymouth, arrived with the Robust, 74, to refit and be paid wages and prize money.

20 Nov 1799 Portsmouth, the Dragon and Magnificent are ordered to fit and victual for the Mediterranean.

8 Apr 1800 Plymouth, came into Cawsand Bay with the St George, 98, and Bellona 74.

13 May 1800 Plymouth, departed with the Edgar to join the Channel fleet.

25 May 1800 Portsmouth, arrive with the Achilles, from the Channel fleet.

5 Jun 1800 Portsmouth, departed with the Renown, to join the Channel fleet.

11 Jun 1800 Plymouth, departed with the Kent, for the Straits, with a supply of naval and military stores.

6 Feb 1801 the Swedish ship Nicholas Adolphus, from Gallipoli, bound to Hamburg, laden with oil, detained by the Dragon, on the Mediterranean Station.

6 Feb 1801 the Swedish galliot Maria Frederica, from Valencia, bound to Hamburg, with wine and brandy, detained by the Dragon, on the Mediterranean Station.

7 Feb 1801 the Danish ship Three Sisters, from, Alicant bound, to Copenhagen with 170 tons of salt ; detained by the Dragon on the Mediterranean Station.

7 Feb 1801 the Swedish brig Jung Earl, of 2 guns and 8 men, from Malaga, bound to Antona, laden with wine and fruit, detained by the Mercury on the Mediterranean Station.

8 Feb 1801 departed from off Cadiz to Gibraltar and Port-Mahon in pursuit of a French squadron which has passed through into the Mediterranean with a view to landing troops in Egypt. 25 Feb the French squadron was sighted off the island of Toro, and again in the early days of Jun., but was subsequently lost, having returned to Toulon.

16 Feb 1801 a neutral vessel, (name unknown) with five thousand quarters of wheat on board ; detained by the Dragon.

8 Mar to 2 Sep 1801 Services off the coast of Egypt.

29 Jun 1801 cruising off Alexandria, per UK newspapers of this date, reporting news received from off Egypt.

13-14 Sep 1801 involved in operations at Porto-Ferrajo.

10 May 1802 was at Gibraltar when the Isis arrived there with HRH Duke of Kent from Falmouth.

16 May 1802 was due to depart Gibraltar with the Dragon and Acasto for Malta to bring back troops.

Circa 25 May 1802 Mr. Somerville made a Lieutenant into the Dragon.

15 Jun 1802 the Dragon remained in Gibraltar Bay when the Mermaid frigate departed Gibraltar for Lisbon.

1 Jul 1802 remained in Gibraltar Bay when the Pomone departed for England.

11 Sep 1802 arrived the Delight at the Motherbank, from Gibraltar in 15 days. Left at Gibraltar HM ships Superb, Dragon, and Triumph.

14 Sep 1802 by the latest accounts from Gibraltar, dated the end of August, it appears that the Gibraltar, 84, Triumph, 74, and Dragon, 74, were lying there, waiting to come to England ; but, as a frigate is dispatched with orders for their further stay, at least for the present, it is supposed they will be at the Rock some time longer.

23 Sep 1802 a report, as dated, received in England from Gibraltar describes a "most violent storm of thunder and lightning," which greatly damaged a number of the vessels anchored in the Bay, none of them being fitted with any chain conductors. The first ship struck was the Gibraltar, which received a hit by lightning close to the magazine, and it was stated that it seemed almost a miracle that that it was not blown up. A flash of lightning initially struck the fore-top gallant mast head, and split for fore-top gallant mast-head, and shivered the fore-mast into a thousand pieces, sending some as far aft as the quarter-deck. From the fore-mast the lightning passed into the light room, close to the magazine, destroying a strong plate glass, from whence it travelled into the Gunner's storeroom, where it destroyed several boxes of grape-shot, after which it doesn't appear to have gone any further. Fortunately only 2 men were injured, one being severely scorched. The next hit was on the frigate Active, which split the top-gallant mast, and carried away the main-top mast, several feet of the mast disappearing, not a vestige being found after the explosion. The main mast was also split in several places, and the ship's butcher, who was standing close to the mast at the time with his cleaver in his hand, was killed on the spot, and almost all the personnel on the deck being knocked down by the violence of the shock, the lightning being observed to play like a stream of fire for a short time above the deck, and on leaving left a smell of sulphur. The Superb and Dragon were also struck ; the former having her main-top-gallant and binnacle on the quarter-deck carried away ; the latter ship wasn't damaged, though the lightning passed all round the Captain's cabin, running along the bell wires. The Gibraltar has gone into the Mole to repair her damages.

6 Oct 1802 a mutiny took place on board the Gibraltar as her squadron, made up of the Dragon, Gibraltar, Triumph, Superb and Renown departed Gibraltar to rejoin the Admiral in the Mediterranean. See below re the mutiny.

18 Oct 1802 was reported by the Medusa, arrived Gibraltar, from Malta yesterday, to be cruising off Carthagena with the squadron of British ships of the line, Superb, Gibraltar, Triumph and Renown, based in the Mediterranean.

28-29 Nov 1802 a letter, as dated, received from the Dragon, supplemented by another from the Superb, both now at anchor in Oristagni Bay, Sardinia which detail how, on the 6th Oct., when orders had been received for the squadron to depart Gibraltar, presumably for Malta, when it was discovered that the ship's company of the Gibraltar, 84, had mutinied, and expressed a wish to sail to the Westward, but the officers and marines soon quelled the the mutiny and the two ring leaders were secured and put on board the Dragon where they were subsequently court martialled and found guilty before being returned to the Gibraltar where they were executed.

29 Dec 1802 departed Oristagni Bay for Gibraltar.

5 Jan 1803 the sloop of war Hound, arrived at the Motherbank from Gibraltar in 16 days, bringing reports that a mutiny had broken out on board the Gibraltar.

13 Jan 1803 letters received Plymouth, from the Triumph, Superb, and Dragon, report that the two ring leaders of the mutineers on board the Gibraltar, were executed on board the Gibraltar in sight of the port of Cagliari, in the island of Sardinia.

28 Jan 1803 arrived Gibraltar from the fleet off Oristagni Bay.

1 Feb 1803 the Dragon, Renown, Monmouth, Active, Greyhound, and Vincego, are reported to be lying in Gibraltar Bay.

7 Feb 1803 has gone into the Mole at Gibraltar to refit.

13 Feb 1803 the Dragon, and Renown are nearly repaired, and along with the Monmouth are expected to depart Gibraltar for Malta circa 16 Feb., wind &c. permitting.

21 Apr 1803 last evening arrived in Cawsand Bay, Plymouth, the Dragon, Capt Aylmer, from Malta, last from Gibraltar, with dispatches for London.

5 May 1803 weighed from Cawsand Bay this morning in order to come into harbour, but in passing St Nicholas' Island, with the young flood, she touched on the sand, and was obliged to bring up in the Sound.

7 May 1803 weighed this morning from the Sound and came into Harbour.

29 May 1803 seamen from the Dragon and Hector have been sent on board the several ships fitting for sea at Plymouth. In view of the Treaty of Amiens having come to an end and the country being at war with France again, any seamen on board who have not taken their leave following the ship's return from abroad, will have been informed that following the receipt of an Admiralty order, they will have forfeited their leave. However, those seamen who volunteer for any ship they chose will be entitled to the full bounty of �5 for Able Seamen, and for ODs and Landsmen, �2.50 and �1.50 respectively. Those who fail to volunteer will be sent on board ships as required and will be treated as pressed men ; a small number are reported not to have volunteered and were put on board ships at Cawsand Bay, such as the Tonant.

7 Jun 1803 having been refitted and re-commissioned dropped down from Hamoaze into Cawsand Bay.

20 Jun 1803 arrived Plymouth the French brig national corvette Colombe, bound for Brest, detained on the 18th by the Dragon, 74, and the Endymion, 44, a prize. Once it was discovered that this vessel was supposed to be a part of a convoy of 60 merchant vessels, the Dragon returned to her Squadron and informed them of the news, so that they could disperse, and wouldn't miss the convoy.

5 Aug 1804 arrived Spithead from off Ferrol, the Dragon, Capt Griffiths.

26 Aug 1803 departed the Channel Fleet for Plymouth.

28 Aug 1803 arrived Plymouth from the Channel fleet to refit.

5 Sep 1803 departed Plymouth to join the Fleet off Brest.

7 Sep 1803 departed Plymouth this morning, the Dragon, Capt Griffiths, to join the squadron off Black Rocks, with 20 live bullocks and plenty of vegetables.

2 Nov 1803 a letter dated 20 Oct 1803, received at Plymouth, from off Ferrol reports that the squadron under the command of Commodore Sir E Pellew, is all well, and is made up of the Tonant, Cdre Pellew ; Impeteux, Capt T B Martin ; Colossus, Capt G Martin ; Spartiate, Capt Manley ; Dragon, Capt Griffith, all ships of the line ; and the frigate Sirius, Capt Prowse.

16 Oct 1804 Mr Voaks, shipwright, fell from the stage alongside the Dragon, into the Dock, more than 30 feet, and was much bruised. This is reported to be the third dangerous accident which has occurred to men working on the Dragon, since she has been in dock.

24 Nov 1804 went out of Portsmouth harbour to Spithead, the Dragon, Capt Griffiths.

4-5 Dec 1804 departed Spithead for the Channel Fleet, but subsequently recalled, but doesn't appear to have happened.

Circa 6 Dec 1804 is reported to have gone aground on the Shambles, off Portland, whilst going 9 knots, and now makes 3 feet of water an hour, although, looking at the next item, this appears to be a little unlikely, and most likely one of those false bits of news we are so familiar with today if you read the wrong crap.

13 Dec 1803 arrived in Cawsand Bay from the Channel Fleet off Brest, to water and victual.

12 Dec 1804, at Brixham, it is reported that the Channel Fleet had arrived, including the : Ville de Paris, Prince George, Defiance, Britannia, Windsor Castle, Plantagenet, Goliath, Princess Royal, Thunderer, Courageaux, Dragon, and Warrior, joining the Atlas, Temeraire, and Nemesis, which were here. No officers allowed ashore which caused some disappointment to the trades people.

19 April 1805 To Mediterranean

12 May, the Queen and Dragon, with a convoy of troops from England rendez-vous with Nelson's fleet off Cape St.-Vincent: the Royal-Sovereign is detached to the convoy to add additional protection whilst proceeding though the Straits.

15 Jul 1805 with the blockading squadron off Ferrol, under Sir Robert Calder : departed 30 to 40 leagues off Finisterre to intercept Franco-Spanish fleet from the West Indies. 22nd sighted each other. Signal made to engage the enemy - the engagement. The damage ; subsequent manoeuvres by the two fleets ; the wash-up ; 26 Jul 1805 movements of the fleet following the battle.

29 Jul 1805 sent in to reconnoitre Ferrol. 9 Aug reconnoitred Ferrol and Corunna, and at the latter found M. Villeneuve's fleet.

14 Aug 1805 Naiad was joined by the Iris off Cape Ortugal, in sight of which was the Dragon, accompanied by the Phoenix and prize, the late French frigate Didon.

9 Aug 1805 fell in with the �olus, then en route to finding Sir Robert Calder.

Falmouth 31 Dec 1806 arrived from off Rochefort.

Bermuda 4 Jan 1813 departed for England with a convoy.

Bermuda 13 Feb 1813 arrived from the coast of America. [One would assume she only accompanied the convoy part way.]

Bermuda 18 Feb 1813 departed on a cruise to the coast of America.

19 Jun 1813 departed Bermuda for Halifax.

25 Jun 1813, arrived Halifax, and anchored at the Beach.

1 Aug 1813, departed Halifax, on a cruise.

Winter 1813-14 command of the British forces in the Chesapeake intrusted to Captain Robert Barrie, of the 74-gun ship Dragon.

latter end of May 1814 Rear-admiral Cockburn in the 74-gun ship Albion (into which he had shifted his flag from the Sceptre), Captain Charles Bayne Hodgson Ross, arrived in the bay and relieved Captain Barrie, Dragon.

1 Jun 1814 St.-Lawrence and ships' boats of the Albion and Dragon in action with a US flotilla of gun boats in Chesapeake bay.

6 Jun 1814 the Loire and Jasseur join the St.-Lawrence and ships' boats of the Albion and Dragon, but having retreated in to shallow water US flotilla remained safe.

15 Jun 1814 Narcissus joined the squadron in Chesapeake bay and various boats expeditions were carried out.

4 Jul 1814 the Severn arrived in Chesapeake bay. 19 Jul-12 Aug the arrival of a battalion of marines, and a detachment of marine artillery enabled the squadron to mount further expeditions ashore using the ships' boats of the Albion, Dragon, Loire, Jasseur, Narcissus, Severn and St.-Lawrence.

30 Jul 1814, arrived Halifax, from the Chesapeake.

30 Jul 1814, arrived Halifax, 3 sloops and a schooner, prizes to the Dragon.

4 Aug 1814, arrived Halifax, the schooner Bussy, in 7 days from the Chesapeake, prize to the Dragon.

26 Aug 1814 Dragon, R.-Adm. Griffith, Endymion, Bacchante, Sylph and 10 transports with about 3000 troops, departed from Halifax, Nova-Scotia, for the river Penobscot. The expedition was joined on the 31st, off the Metinicus islands, by the Bulwark, Tenedos, Rifleman and Peruvian.

1-3 Sep 1814 the fleet came to anchor off the fort and town of Castine and on the 2nd the Peruvian, Sylph and ships' boats headed up the up the Penobscot looking for the frigate Adams, at Hamden, which was set on fire by the defending US forces before they escaped inland.

Halifax 18 Sep 1814 arrived from New London.

Dec 1814 Albion and Orlando arrived in the Chesapeake, from Bermuda, and departed on the 14th for Amelia Island, in East Florida, leaving left orders for the Dragon, Hebrus, and Regulus to follow.

16 Mar 1815, wind and weather etc. was supposed to be departing Charleston for Bermuda, but did she ?

1824 Harbour Service

1830 Quarantine Service, Milford

Feb 1842 Marine Barrack Ship, Pembroke.

1842 Renamed Fame, hulk

20 Dec 1848 Marine Barrack Ship, Pembroke.