Ramillies *, 1785
Type: 3rd rate ; Armament 74
Launched : 1785 ; Disposal date or year : 1850
BM: 1677 tons
Complement: 594
Notes:

*Spelling : it is noted that the Ramillies was invariably spelt Ramilies during much of the 18th and early 19th Century, but until education became general for everyone, the spelling of many words appears to have been optional, despite Samuel Johnson's dictionary being published in 1755, but with few people being able to read and write, let alone afford a dictionary, a joy to come, depending on one's point of view ;-) Ed.

14 Jul 1793 departed with the Channel fleet from St. Helen's. On the 18th the Bellerophon was in collision with the Majestic, causing some damage, resulting in the Ramillies, 74, having to tow the Bellerophon to Plymouth. The Ramillies rejoined the fleet on the 20th.

31 Jul 1793 briefly sighted, but was unable to close the French fleet ; returned to Torbay on 10 Aug.

23 Aug 1793 the Channel Fleet departed to escort the Newfoundland trade, West Indian convoys in home waters.

27 Oct 1793 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.

7-21 Sep 1794 the Channel Fleet departed from Torbay to cruise off the coast of France, but as a result of bad weather returned to Torbay.

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

21 Apr 1798 previously in company with the Mars and Jason when the former captured the French 74-gun ship Hercule.

16 Jan 1799 Plymouth, arrived Bellona, Ramillies and Megaera, from Torbay.

8 Mar 1799 Plymouth, 2 seamen of the Ramillies, 74, were tried for mutiny, and received sentence of death, but the Court recommended one to his Majesty's mercy.

14 Mar 1799 Plymouth, orders came down for the execution of George Gear, found guilty of mutiny on board the Ramillies.

27 Mar 1799 Plymouth, in Hamoaze, fitting for sea.

19 Apr 1799 Plymouth, nearly ready for sea.

24 Apr 1799 Plymouth, went down into Cawsand Bay.

2 May 1799 Plymouth, departed to join Lord Bridport.

4 Jun 1799 arrived off Basque road.

1 Jul 1799 departed from off Basque road.

12 Jul 1799 Plymouth, arrived from off the Isle of Aix the Mars, Ramillies, Ajax ; also the Volcano, Explosion, and Sulphur, gun and bomb vessels, with the Speedwell and Bilboa tenders to the bombs.

10 Aug 1799 Plymouth, departed for Torbay with the Temeraire and Russell.

13 Dec 1799 Portsmouth, arrived from the Channel fleet.

8 Feb 1800 Portsmouth, this afternoon the following ships, under the command of Admiral Whitshed, went down to St. Helen's, viz. Temeraire, London, Pompee, Venerable, Ramillies, and Montague.

20 Feb 1800 St. Helen's, departed for Torbay : Temeraire, London, Pompee, Venerable, Hector, Ramillies, and Montagu.

22 Feb 1800 Plymouth, an express arrived from Torbay to the Victualling Office, to send over craft with beer to complete the following men of War arrived there, viz. Temeraire, London, Venerable, Hector, Ramillies, Pompee, and Montagu.

24 Apr 1800 Torbay, the Channel Fleet departed.

11 May 1800 Plymouth, arrived from off Brest, to refit.

30 May 1800 Plymouth, departed to join the fleet.

5 Jun 1800 joined the Impetueux, at Quiberon bay and the Morbihan to aid the royalists.

8 Sep 1800 Plymouth, arrived from the Channel fleet.

9 Sep 1800 in Cawsand Bay.

16 Sep 1800 Plymouth, departed to join Earl St. Vincent.

8 Oct 1800 Plymouth, departed for Portsmouth with sick men.

13 Nov 1800 Plymouth, letters from Torbay state that in the late gale the Ramillies, 74, after parting her cables, was driven out to sea, without a rag of sail set, but the wind shifting she put back again without damage.

2 Dec 1800 Portsmouth, arrived the St George, Defence, Ramillies, Robust, Mars, and Saturn, from the Channel Fleet.

13 Dec 1800 Portsmouth, a Court-Martial was held on board the Gladiator, for the trial of Jeremiah Croning, a seaman belonging to the Ramillies, was also tried, for insolent and contemptuous behaviour to the first Lieutenant of that ship, and taking him by the collar. The charge being proved, the Prisoner was sentenced to receive one hundred and fifty lashes, to forfeit all his pay, and to suffer two years solitary confinement in the Marshalsea.

Circa Jan 1801 came into Portsmouth harbour to refit.

9 Feb 1801 taken out of dock.

1 Mar 1801 appointed at Portsmouth, to form a part of the North Sea Fleet, St George, London, 98 ; Bellona, Ganges, Warrior, Ramilies, Russell, Saturn, and Defence, 74 ; Agincourt, 64, Harpy, 18, Alecto, Otter, fire ships ; Discovery, bomb.

3 Mar 1801 departed Spithead with a squadron bound for the Downs, Yarmouth Roads and Copenhagen.

5 Mar 1801 departed the Downs for N. Yarmouth the Ramillies, Saturn, Bellona, Ganges, Alecto, and Discovery.

10 Mar 1801 the North Sea Fleet has come together at N. Yarmouth, and consists of the London, and St George, 98 guns, Adm. Sir Hyde Parker having transferred his flag from the Ardent to the St George ; Monarch, Bellona, Saturn, Ramilies, Ganges, Warrior, Russell and Defence, 74 ; Veteran, Ardent, Polyphemus, Raisonable, Agamemnon, 64 ; Glatton, 54 ; Isis, 50 ; Desiree, Blanche, and Amazon frigates ; Pylades, Hyaena, Dart, and Arrow, sloops ; Harpy ; Biter, Blazer, Bruiser, Tigress, Pelter, Teazer, Hasty, Force, Sparkler Brigs ; Terror, Volcano, Explosion, Hecla, Zebra, Albion, Sulphur, and Discovery bombs ; Eling, schooner ; cutters Fox and Hazard ; and luggers Rover and Lark.

Circa 12 Mar 1801 fleet under Admiral Sir Hyde Parker and Lord Nelson, consisting of 17 ships of the line, 3 frigates, 10 gun-brigs, nearly as many bomb-ketches, with smaller vessels usually attendant on a fleet, making in the whole nearly 50 sail, got under weigh from Yarmouth Roads at the break of day, and by eight o'clock had cleared the Sands ; they directed their course to the northward, wafted by a fine breeze at S.W. as departed from Yarmouth roads for Copenhagen (Naval Chronicle). 31 Mar Copenhagen : remained anchored off the Middle Ground with Admiral Parker whilst Nelson departed with the rest of the fleet for the forthcoming engagement. 2 Apr moved closer to Copenhagen and subsequently detached as a reinforcement to Nelson ; the truce : the casualties : the wash-up :

12 Apr 1801 the fleet departed from Copenhagen into the Baltic.

9 Aug 1801 arrived Spithead, form the North Sea, the St George, Adm Pole ; London, R.-Adm Totty ; Prince George, Warrior, Saturn, Ramillies and Elephant.

C 17 Aug 1800 Capt Osburne apptd to the Ramillies.

19 Aug 1801 departed Spithead as a part of a squadron under the command of Vice-Admiral Pole for a cruise off Cadiz, including the St George, Dreadnought, Zealous, Ramillies, Vanguard, and Powerful.

21 Aug 1801 last evening hove in sight off Plymouth Sound, at 8 P.M. the Dreadnought, with 5 sail of the line, and lay to till dark.

21 Aug 1801 last evening stood in off Plymouth Sound the Zealous, hoisted a Dutch ensign, reversed, and fired three guns to leeward, as a signal for the Goliath to join the squadron from Cawsand Bay ; she immediately warped out to the bite of the bay, and this morning at day-break, the whole squadron made sail to the westward, with a fine wind at E.S.E. blowing fresh.

31 Aug 1801 arrived off Cadiz, to join Sir James Saumarez's squadron, Adm Pole in the St George, with the Dreadnought, Ramilies, Vanguard, Powerful and Zealous.

2 Sep 1801 the St George, Dreadnought, Ramilies, Vanguard, Powerful and Zealous, in company with Sir James Saumarez's squadron, consisting of the Defence, Warrior, Spencer, Superb, Audacious, ships of the line ; and Caroline, Thames, frigates ; and sloop Peterell, began cruising before Cadiz. The Bellona was reported to be at Gibraltar fishing her main-mast.

2 Dec 1801 arrived Spithead the Ramillies, V.-Adm. Sir C. M. Pole, Captain Nicholls, from off Cadiz.

29 Dec 1801 newspapers of the day report that Earl Northesk has resumed command of the Prince, vice Loring, who is apptd to the Bellerophon ; and Capt S Osborne has taken command of the Ramilies, vice Nicholls.

3 Jan 1802 V.-Adm. Sir C. M. Pole, arrived Spithead from London and hoisted his flag on board the Ramillies.

2 Mar 1802 dropped down to St Helen's from Spithead.

4 Mar 1802 departed St Helen's the Ramillies, 74, to join the Channel Fleet.

5 Mar 1802 arrived Torbay and transferred stores to the boats of vessel belonging the the Channel Fleet, at anchor in Torbay, and then departed for Plymouth.

7 Mar 1802 arrived Cawsand Bay from Spithead, last from Torbay, the Ramillies, 74, and Namur, 98, to refit and victual for five months.

14 Mar 1802 remains in Cawsand Bay.

26 Mar 1802 having been paid departed Cawsand Bay the Ramillies, 74, Capt S. Osborne, for Torbay, last night.

3 May 1802 the Barfleur, London, Irresistible, Ramillies, Magicienne, and Sirius, departed Torbay yesterday evening with a light air, to be paid off at Plymouth and Portsmouth, leaving just the fire ship Magaera, and sloops Childers, Atalante, and Sylph off Brixham.

16 May 1802 arrived at Sheerness, to prepare to be paid off, and will depart for Chatham the first fair wind to be paid off.

26 May 1802 paid off at Chatham.

23 Jul 1802 head money for those present at the Engagement at Copenhagen, on the 2d April 1801, due for payment.

22 Nov 1802 Mr. Allen, late of the Ramillies, is appointed Surgeon of the Venerable, 74, Captain Searle.

Circa 15 Dec 1804 Capt Pickmore of the Utrecht apptd to the Ramilies.

May 1805 Channel Fleet.

7 Jul 1805 Ramillies and Illustrious captured the French privateer Josefine.

3 Jan 1806 Sir J.B. Warren's squadron at St. Helen's, adverse winds preventing him sailing. 12 Jan departed for Madeira to gain intelligence of the French squadron under V.-adm. Leissegues.

4 Jun 1806 having returned from his first cruise departed from Spithead for the West Indies arriving Barbadoes 12 Jul with the Fame in lieu of the Repulse.

Torbay 29 Dec 1806 Remains.

Portsmouth 8 Dec 1812 arrived with a convoy from the Downs.

Falmouth 14 Dec 1812 arrived to take the outward-bound West India convoy, which has now departed.

1 Feb 1813, the Ramillies, in company with the Acasta, Martin and Dotterell, the latter having been chased into Bermuda 4 days earlier, spoke to the Nymphe.

Bermuda 7 Feb 1813 departed in search of an American frigate reported to be on the coast.

Bermuda 18 Feb 1813 arrived from a cruise.

20 Mar 1813 captured the American ship Maddison.

25 Mar 1813 captured the American sloop Margaret : burnt.

28 Mar 1813 captured the American schooner Syren : burnt.

30-31 Mar 1813 captured the American ships America and Franklin : sent to Halifax.

4-6 Apr 1813 captured the American sloops Fox and Rosamond : burnt.

7 Apr 1813 watering at Block Island with the Valiant, Hogue, Shannon, Nymphe and Orpheus.

10 Apr 1813 captured the American schooners Akros and Freedom : sent to Bermuda.

11 Apr 1813 captured the American sloop Randolph and schooners Fanny and Paulina : sent to Halifax.

16 Apr 1813 captured the American schooner Ploughboy : sent to Halifax.

20 Apr 1813 captured the American brig Ulysses : sent to Halifax.

26 Apr 1813 captured the American brig Cornelia : sent to Bermuda.

6 May 1813 the Orpheus and Ramillies captured the Schooner Emperor.

19 May 1813 the Orpheus and Ramillies captured the Ship Fidelia.

25 Jun 1813 the schooner Eagle, laden with gunpowder, sent out from New York to blow up the Ramillies.

29 Jul 1813 the Loire arrived Halifax, N.S., from New London, reported that the Orpheus and Ramillies remained N.L., with 8 prizes.

5 Sep 1813, arrived Halifax from the Chesapeake.

24 Sep 1813 departed Halifax with the Ramillies.

7 Dec 1813, arrived Halifax, the American schooner Gen. Marion, from N. Bedford, bound to Charleston and Bordeaux, with provisions, prize to the Ramillies and Loire.

30 Apr 1814 arrived Halifax, 11 days from Bermuda with a number of American prisoners.

30 Apr 1814 arrived Halifax, 11 days from Bermuda with a number of American prisoners.

Circa 9 Jul 1814 Ramillies arrived Shelburne, N.B., with the Spencer, Terror, bomb, and 2 transports with the 102nd Regt.

Aug 1814 a portion of the prize money resulting from the various actions in the Chesapeake became due for payment on 1 May 1835 : namely a dividend from the estate of the bankrupt agent Henry Abbott : no doubt one of the many fraudsters who ripped off matelots in those days : both officers and ratings being fair game.

19 Sep 1814 the fleet, including the Royal-Oak, Asia, Ramillies and �tna remained at anchor in the river Patuxent until 27th when it moved to the Potomac where shore operations were re-commenced from 3rd to 14th Oct., following which the fleet departed for Negril bay, Jamaica.

Jamaica 31 Oct 1814 arrived.

Jamaica 12 Nov 1814 Remains.

14 Dec 1814 distribution of head-money arising from the capture of American gun-boats and sundry bales of cotton, [per London Gazette of 26 Jun 1821].

Portsmouth 24 Jun 1815 departed to Ostend, for sick, wounded and prisoners.

Deal 25 Jun 1815 arrived from Portsmouth.

Deal 26 Jun 1815 Embarked French prisoners of war and departed to Portsmouth.

Portsmouth 28 Jun 1815 departed with French prisoners bound for Plymouth.

Plymouth 18 Oct 1815 Fitting as guardship.

Leith 16 Aug 1817 resumed her station as flag ship in Leith Roads in the afternoon.

Jersey 15 May 1818 departed, but the wind changing was obliged to drop her anchor, and remains.

Portsmouth 8 Aug 1818 arrived from a 2 month cruise and exercises in the Channel.

Portsmouth 9 Aug 1818 Is to be 1 of three guard-ship here for the next three years.

27 Nov 1821 Is in commission and based on Portsmouth.

March 1823 relieved the Severn as the base ship for the coast blockade for Kent & Sussex.

17 Jan 1824 employed on the coast blockade, the prevention of smuggling.

March 1825 coast blockade of Kent, only.

15 Sep 1826 At Deal.

15 Feb 1827 Lieut Chas A. Johnston, of the Ramillies detained the Mary, smuggling boat of Dover, Wm. Poskett, master and owner, with 30 tubs of foreign spirits attached to her sides, and having on board 6 men, all of whom have since been convicted.

Downs 5 July 1828 Coast Blockade (Eastern) service.

Portsmouth 19 Sep 1829 Is to be replaced as Coast Blockade for the Downs, requiring repairs.

Mar 1830 relieved by the Talavera.

Jul 1830 Chatham.

25 May 1831 Ramillies, Creole, Iphigenia, Dartmouth, and Hussar, are ordered to be fitted at Chatham as temporary lazarettos, in consequence of the recent quarantine order.

20 Dec 1848 Quarantine service. Standgate Creek.