HMS Sirius

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Sirius, 1797
Type: 5th rate ; Armament 36
Launched at Dudman's Yard, Deptford, in 1797 ;
Disposal date or year : 23 Aug 1810
Disposal Details : Wrecked in the harbour of Grand-Port, Isle-de-France, when advancing to the attack of a French squadron. Captain Samuel Pym
Displacement : 1049 tons (BM)
Notes:

Built of fir.

24 Oct 1798 captured the Dutch 24-gun corvette Waakzaamheid.

24 Oct 1798 later the same day, captured the Dutch 36-gun frigate, Furie, previously in company with the Waakzaamheid. The Furie was purchased into the navy under the name of Wilhelmina.

1 Jan 1799 Capt. R. King. At Sheerness.

3 Jan 1800 Plymouth, departed with the Indefatigable, and Phoebe, on a cruise.

13 Mar 1800 Plymouth, arrived from off Brest.

13 May 1800 Plymouth, departed on a cruise.

14 Jul 1800 Plymouth, arrived La Favorie, 6 guns, and 45 men, from Cayenne to Bourdeaux, with a valuablc cargo of cotton, indigo, and camphor, prize to the Sirius, 36.

14 Aug 1800 Plymouth, arrived from a long cruise off the coast of Spain. She brought with her 3 prizes to the squadron, which are hourly expected.

23 Aug 1800 Plymouth, departed with the Fisgard's prize masters of La Gironde and L'Alerte, viz. Mr. W. Pring, (one of the little heroes of the Nile, in the Majestic, 74, a prot�g� of the late lamented Captain Westcott), and two others; she joins the squadron off Corunna.

23 Aug 1800 Plymouth, letters from the fleet state, that 100 sail of transports, with troops under Lt. Gen. Sir J. Pulteney, passed through Earl St. Vincent's fleet the 14th. The men of war manned ship and cheered them as they passed, which the troops returned with great vivacity. A spectator says it was the most animating sight he ever beheld, the weather being remarkably fine, with a gentle rippling breeze.

30 Sep 1800 Plymouth, reported to be with the in-shore flying squadron in Dauarnez Bay, near Brest.

25 Oct 1800 Plymouth, arrived with the Revolutionaire, from off Ushant ; last from the squadron off the Black Rocks.

29 Oct 1800 Plymouth, departed on a cruise to the westward.

11 Dec 1800 captured the Spanish merchant brig Melchura, Sisarga bearing W. by N. three miles, bound from Corunna, for Monte Video, out of port only twenty-four hours. It is noted that she is the only Spanish vessel that has departed from Corunna since the vessel taken by the boadicea last August.

19 Dec 1800 Plymouth, came in a Spanish brig packet, with iron and bale goods, prize to the Sirius.

26-28 Jan 1801 in company with the Oiseau, Amethyst, Immortalite, Atalante, and Hired Armed Cutter Earl St Vincent at the chase and capture of the French 36-gun frigate D�daigneuse, afterwards added to the British navy under the same name.

Circa 28 Jan 1801 when in company with the Amethyst, captured the Spanish Letter of Marque Charlotta, from Ferrol, bound to Curacao, out only 16 hours, Cape Belem bearing S. by W. 6 or 7 leagues, arrived Plymouth 7 Feb 1801.

26 Feb 1801 arrived Plymouth Sound from a cruise.

20 Mar 1801 wind S.W. at Plymouth, blows a Hurricane, with Rain at Plymouth. It blew last night, and until two P.M. this afternoon, with the fury of an equinoctial gale, with a tremendous rolling sea in the Sound and Cutwater. The Santa Margaritta, 36 guns, Sirius 36, Immortalite 40, and Fisgard 48, had signals of assistance flying all the forenoon, have drove, but by getting out other anchors, and the ground in the Sound being good and firm, though they pitched and rolled most dreadfully, yet they weathered the hurricane very well.

21 Mar 1801 whilst in Plymouth Sound bad weather drove her, but by getting another anchor she was brought up.

24 Mar 1801 departed Plymouth Sound on a cruise to the Westward.

4 Jul 1801 arrived Plymouth this morning the Sirius, Capt King, from the Channel Fleet.

14 Jul 1801 departed Plymouth Sound on a cruise to the Westward.

15 Aug 1801 arrived Plymouth last evening the Danish brig Harbert, Warner, master, bound from Christiana to Bourdeaux with deals, detained in the Channel by the Sirius, and the cutter Earl Spencer.

22 Aug 1801 arrived Falmouth, the Prussian dogger, Elizabeth, Johannes, laden with timber and deals, from Embden to Bordeaux, sent in by the Sirus, Capt King.

29 Aug 1801 arrived Plymouth Sound the brig Elizabeth Nieuweakaven, of Embden, Johnson, with plank and timber, from Dantzic to Bourdeaux, detained in the Channel by the Sirius.

2 Sep 1801 arrived Plymouth Sound from a cruise.

2 Sep 1801 a Court Martial was held on board the Cambridge, in Hamoaze, Plymouth, on Lieutenant Lewis, Second Lieutenant of the Sirius, of 36 guns, on a charge preferred against him, for leaving the quarter-deck, during his watch in the night, and when the Sirius was at single anchor, and the look-out frigate of the inshore squadron off Brest. The charge was fully proved, when the President and Members of the Court-Martial taking into their serious consideration the nature and consequence of the charge : and also, on the other hand, the very excellent character of Lieutenant Lewis, as an Officer and a gentleman, only dismissed him his Majesty's service.

8 Sep 1801 went up into Plymouth harbour, to go into dock.

9 Sep 1801 a Court Martial was held on board the Cambridge, in Hamoaze, Plymouth, on the Master, of the Sirius, of 36 guns, Captain King, for drunkenness and neglect of duty. The charge was fully proved, and be was dismissed the ship, and sentenced never to serve in a higher than a sixth rate.

9 Sep 1801 a Court Martial was held on board the Cambridge, in Hamoaze, Plymouth, on the Gunner of the Sirius, at the instance of the Master for drunkenness and neglect of duty ; but the charge not being proved he was honourably acquitted.

9 Sep 1801 a Court Martial was held on board the Cambridge, in Hamoaze, Plymouth, on Lieut. Rains, First Lieutenant of the Sirius, for drunkenness and leaving his quarters during the time of action. The Court, on hearing the evidence of the Prosecutor in support of the charge, found it so contradictory, vague, and ill-founded, that the President and Court unanimously acquitted Lieutenant J. Rains of the whole of the charges against him in the most honourable manner, to the great satisfaction of all present.

23 Sep 1801 went out of Plymouth dock the Sirius, who will soon be ready for sea.

5 Oct 1801 went down into Plymouth Sound, the Oiseau, and Sirius.

12 Oct 1801 departed Plymouth Sound, on a cruise.

26 Nov 1801 came into Plymouth Sound the Sirius, from a cruise.

19 Dec 1801 the Sirius, now in Plymouth Sound, received orders to repair to Torbay.

25 Dec 1801 departed Plymouth Sound for Torbay, with orders.

28 Dec 1801 remained with the Channel Fleet in Torbay with the Ville de Paris.

23 Jan 1801 now under weigh, to depart Torbay, the frigates Unicorn, Indefatigable, and Sirius, along with the sloop, understood to be the Sylph, on the proverbial cruise.

2 Mar 1802 arrived Torbay.

8 Mar 1802 arrived Plymouth Sound, from a cruise against smugglers off the Start Point.

18 Mar 1802 departed Plymouth on a cruise.

26 Mar 1802 departed Plymouth Sound with the Diamond, on a cruise.

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.

4 May 1802 arrived Spithead, the Sirius, Capt King, from Torbay.

13 Jun 1802 departed Spithead on a cruise after smugglers.

16 Jun 1802 arrived Torbay last evening from a cruise.

18 Jun 1802 departed Torbay on a cruise.

19 Jun 1802 this morning lay to off the Sound at Plymouth, and sent in a boat for fresh provisions, vegetables, and letters ; and on the return of her boat departed to continue her search for smugglers.

17 Jul 1802 arrived Plymouth Sound, the Sirius, 36, Captain King to victual and water.

22 Jul 1802 orders have been received from the Admiralty to send the frigates Glenmore, Oiseau, Fortun�e, Galatea, Amelia, Sirius and the sloop Imogene to meet the fleet due shortly from the West Indies, to instruct them to make for Plymouth, to be paid off and laid up in ordinary, rather than heading up the Channel to Spithead.

24 Jul 1802 departed Plymouth Sound on a cruise.

30 Jul 1802 departed Plymouth Sound the Peterell, 18, to recall the Sirius.

1 Aug 1802 came into Plymouth Sound from a cruise, with the Carysfort. They are to go up the harbour to be paid off, all standing, and immediately recommissioned.

Circa 21 Aug 1802 Captain Prowse, apptd to the Sirius, vice King.

28 Aug 1802 the two Boards of the Admiralty and Navy visited the Sound and Cawsand Bay and on passing through the Narrows of Devil's Point, and Mount Edgcumbe the Centaur, Courageux, Hussar, Sirius, and Carysfort manned ship and fired a 19 gun salute.

31 Aug 1802 the Sirius, 36, Captain Prowse was taken into dock at Plymouth, to have her bottom inspected.

20 Oct 1802 went into Cawsand Bay to await orders.

24 Oct 1802 departed Cawsand Bay for the Eastwards.

22 Nov 1802 Mr. Hendry, late Surgeon of the Ambuscade, is appointed to the Sirius.

4 Jan 1803 the Sirius, which had been sent to Liverpool to recruit personnel for ships commissioning at Plymouth, had recruited 200 men.

Circa 12 Jan 1803 arrived Dublin from Liverpool with a view to recruiting men.

19 Jan 1803 arrived Plymouth Sound from Liverpool with 100 seamen for the fleet fitting out in Hamoaze.

15 Feb 1803 in Cawsand Bay and is ordered to store ship &c., for 6 months and will then depart for a destination unknown.

14 Mar 1803 went into Plymouth Sound and made a signal for sailing, and is understood to be under orders to be departing with sealed orders for abroad.

16 Mar 1803 went down into Cawsand Bay, the Sirius, Capt Prowse, to await orders.

17 Mar 1803 departed Plymouth for Liverpool to press men.

31 Mar 1803 arrived Plymouth from Liverpool with pressed men and volunteers.

10 May 1803 arrived Plymouth from a cruise.

6 Jun 1803 sent into Plymouth the French ship Aigle, from the Isle de France, for Bordeaux, and apart from a valuable cargo, has many passengers going to France for their education ; a prize to the Sirius.

31 Jul 1803 went into Barn Pool, from the Sound, to get a new set of rigging.

15 Aug 1803 departed Plymouth on a cruise, the Sirius, victualled for 4 months.

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.

7 Nov 1803 arrived Plymouth the Perseverance, of London, from the South Seas, recaptured by the Sirius.

18 Nov 1803 departed the squadron off Ferrol.

29 Nov 1803 arrived Plymouth Sound with dispatches from Commodore Sir E Pellew, in command of the squadron operating off Ferrol and Corunna.

6 Dec 1803 departed Plymouth on a cruise, but appears to have returned due to the reportedly awful weather in the Channel.

10 Dec 1803 departed Plymouth on a cruise.

12 Dec 1803 would appear to have returned to Plymouth due to the bad weather being reported in the newspapers, as she is noted as remaining in Plymouth Sound.

13 Dec 1803 before departing Plymouth on a cruise the men were paid prize money, reportedly amounting to �15 for each man, including the marines.

Circa 29 Sep 1804 the Naiad, Sirius, Aigle, and Diamond, frigates, and Hazard, sloop, are reported at Portsmouth to have departed Plymouth for cruises to the Westward.

May 1805 Cruising, Channel.

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.

Circa 1 Oct 1805 the arrival of the additional frigates Naiad, Phoebe, Sirius, Juno, and Niger off Cadiz allowed Nelson to detach them to disrupt local shipping supplying provisions for the joint fleet in Cadiz.

20 Oct 1805 watching manoeuvres of the combined fleet, following its departure from Cadiz. Warned Agamemnon, with a brig in tow, that she was heading into the midst of the enemy fleet.

10 Oct 1805 off Cadiz - the tactical preparations etc. for the forthcoming battle. 20 Oct combined fleet departed Cadiz, fleet manoeuvres.

21 Oct 1805 England expects�.. &c. signalled, the first shots of the Battle of Trafalgar are fired. Nelson shot. Resum� of what had taken place. Individual ship actions and losses. The post-mortem commences ; Summary of British casualties ; Death of Nelson ;

22-30 Oct 1805 losses amongst the prizes due to bad weather etc: Redoutable, Rayo, Monarca (sank) ; Fougueux, Bucentaure, Indomptable, San-Francisco-de-Asis, Aigle, Berwick (wrecked) ; Alg�siras (taken into Cadiz) ; Santa-Ana, Neptuno (recaptured) ; Santisima-Trinidad (scuttled) ; Achille, Intr�pide, San-Augustin (burnt) ; the washup ; burial of Nelson ;

15 Dec 1805 a convoy under the charge of Polyphemus and Sirius was attacked by a French squadron and the Sirius chased away.

17 Apr 1806 in action, within two leagues of the Tiber, with a heavily armed French flotilla, during which she captured the ship-corvette Berg�re.

16 Sep 1809 a part of a squadron which landed troops and a naval unit on the Isle Bourbon on the 21st to disable the shore batteries so that an attack may be made on shipping in St.-Paul, resulting in stores and batteries etc. being destroyed, the recovery of 2 captured East Indiamen, and capture of a French frigate, Caroline (renamed Bourbonaise), the brig Grappler, and other vessels.

May 1810 Boadicea and Sirius had replaced the Leopard off the Isle of France, which in turn had replaced the Raisonable at the Cape, which had departed for England.

7-8 Jul 1810 operation to take the Isle of France. 21 Aug 1834 second and final payment of prize money for the Isle of Bourbon due to be paid.

9 Jul 1810 ship's boats of the Sirius chased and captured the French brig-privateer Edward, of Nantes, off St. Paul, shortly due to arrive at the Isle of France with despatches from the government at home.

10-13 Aug 1810 expeditions to capture of the Isle de la Passe.

21 Aug 1810 unarmed ship's boats recaptured the former HEIC ship Windham off the Isle de France.

23 Aug 1810 action with a French Squadron in the harbour of Grand-Port, during which the frigate N�r�ide was captured and the Magicienne and Sirius went aground and were burnt.