Venturer / Venturier, 1797
Type: Cutter ; Armament 14
Purchased as Ranger 1787 ; Taken by the French 1794 ; Re-taken 1797 ;
Disposal date or year : sold at Gibraltar 1803
Notes:

14 Oct 1797 Indefatigable captured the late cutter Ranger, that Colledge notes as being renamed Venturer on this date ? Although I note that some sources suggest that this vessel appears to have been re-taken from the French on more than one occasion before being renamed Venturer ?

22 Jan 1799 Plymouth, undocked.

30 Jul 1799 Plymouth, arrived with the loss of her main and foretop-mast ; went between the island and main to refit.

5 Jan 1800 Plymouth, arrived the Venturer, 18, Lt. Bardward, (aka Burwood, and Birdwood), from the westward.

5 Feb 1800 Plymouth, departed the Triton, 32 guns, and Venturer, 18, on a cruize.

13 Mar 1801 arrived Plymouth Sound a valuable Spanish packet, prize to the Argo, 44, captured some weeks ago. She was convoyed by La Venturier, 16, Lt Birdwood, from Milford.

16 Mar 1801 departed Plymouth Sound with a convoy for Milford.

18 Apr 1801 departed Plymouth Sound with a convoy for the Westward.

Feb 1802 re-commissioned by Lt Rob. Jump, late of the cutter Sprightly.

13 Mar 1802 in Hamoaze.

16 Mar 1801 departed Plymouth Sound with a convoy for the Downs.

16 May 1802 arrived Falmouth, from a cruise.

11 Jul 1802 Venturer, Lt Jump, departed Plymouth with discharged seamen for Cork.

8 Sep 1802 came into Cawsand Bay, forced in by contrary winds, the merchant vessel Thomas, Guineaman, Captain Martin, bound to Senegal and Goree, with a cargo, and for slaves. Captain Martin went ashore in the afternoon of Sunday to procure fresh beef and vegetables. Whilst absent, six of the sailors, (lately paid off from a man of war,) being rather in liquor, refused to furl the sails or go aloft, on which Mr Scott, chief mate, remonstrated. Fup and Arthur, two of the ringleaders, and the most active in the mutiny, with the others, rushed aft, knocked down Mr. Scott, and used him very roughly indeed, till rescued by the better disposed part of the crew. During the mutiny, Captain Martin came on board, and ordered them to their duty, which they refused, and Fup gave the Captain so violent a blow on hi? neck as brought him to the deck ; on this they kicked him as he lay senseless. The Mate being on the forecastle, hailed La Venturer, 18, lying abreast of the Thomas, when a boat well manned and armed with Royal Marines, with a Midshipman, pushed off, and got alongside the Thomas, when the mutineers took shot and axes, and swore they would sink the boat before any marine should come on board the ship, swearing they would have their blood for supper, and that of their Captain and his Mate. By this time the gallant Royal Marines and the young Midshipman rushed up the side, boarded, and charged bayonets on the mutineers, who were soon overpowered, handcuffed, and sent on board the flagship in Hamoaze, and put in irons for the night, but still behaved very disorderly and riotous. In the morning they were sent on board the Spider cutter. The mutineers were this morning handcuffed and well guarded, brought to the Guildhall, where the depositions of Captain Martin, Mr. Scott, and the Midshipman, were taken before the Mayor and Deputy Town Clerk. It is supposed they will be committed for trial at the Admiralty Sessions.

14 Oct 1802 came in the Glenmore, 36, from a cruise, and anchored in Cawsand Bay ; she, the Oiseau, 36, Venturer, 18, and Childers, 14, are to take on board for Leith, as soon as the 9th Regiment arrives from the Nore, the 26th, or Camerons Regiment of Foot, now in the Dock Line Barracks.

20 Oct 1802 having been victualled for four months, and dispatches from the Admiralty put on board, along with sealed orders regarding her destination, not to be opened until they were at least 20 leagues S.W. off Scilly ; meanwhile she awaits orders to sail.

21 Oct 1802 went from Stonehouse Poole into the Sound and sailed immediately : however the article noted that following the departure of the Venturer it blew a hurricane as S.S.W., and she was unlikely to have made much headway, if any, and it was also conjectured that the Childers, which had departed earlier, may also be in the same situation.

13 Nov 1802 arrived Gibraltar in 26 days with dispatches 16 Feb 1803 the schooner Pickle, Lt. Lepenotiere (sounds familiar), arrived Plymouth, from Malta and Gibraltar, with despatches for the Admiralty, and the officers and men of the late RN vessel Venturer, which had been sold as unfit for Service at Gibraltar. Lt. Jump, late of the Venturer / Venturier, took the despatches to London.

With thanks to British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793-1817 by Rif Winfield 2005.