HMS Andromache (1781)
 Inboard profile plan of Andromache
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Great Britain | |
| Name | HMS Andromache |
| Namesake | Andromache |
| Ordered | 1 February 1780 |
| Builder | William Barnard, Deptford |
| Laid down | June 1781 |
| Launched | 17 November 1781 |
| Completed | 4 January 1782 |
| Fate | Broken up in 1811 |
| Notes |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | 32-gun Amazon-class fifth-rate frigate |
| Tons burthen | 68412⁄94 (bm) |
| Length |
|
| Beam | 35 ft 2 in (10.7 m) |
| Depth of hold | 12 ft 2 in (3.71 m) |
| Sail plan | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement | 220 |
| Armament |
|
HMS Andromache was a 32-gun Amazon-class fifth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy.[1] She was launched in 1781 and served for 29 years until she was broken up in 1811.[2]
Construction[edit]
Andromache was ordered on 1 February 1780 and was laid down on June 1780 by William Barnard of Deptford Dockyard. She was launched on 17 November 1781 and was completed by February of the following year. The ship is named after Andromache in Greek mythology.[3]
Career[edit]
West Indies[edit]
In 1782 under the command of Captain George Anson Byron, Andromache headed a look-out squadron during the Battle of Saintes. Alongside HMS Agamemnon and HMS Magnificent, they provided vital information to Admiral Sir George Rodney by reporting all of Comte de Grasse's movements at Fort Royal.[4]
Thirteen years later in 1795, Andromache sailed through a hurricane off Bermuda where she was completely dismasted and suffered severe damage.[5]
Mediterranean[edit]
In 1796 under the command of Charles Manfield, Andromache engaged a 24-gun Algerine corsair after it mistook her for a Portuguese frigate. The corsair lost 64 crew before the vessel surrendered.[4]
North America[edit]
In 1799, Andromache sailed to North America where she would patrol the coast. Two years later in 1801, Andromache and another Amazon-class frigate, HMS Cleopatra, carried out an attack on a 30-ship Spanish convoy in the Bay of Levita, Cuba. On approach, both vessels were heavily damaged by grapeshot but they were able to successfully capture a single Spanish gunboat.[2][4]
Fate[edit]
After serving for nearly 30 years, Andromache was broken up in 1811 at Deptford Dockyard.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ "Sailing Ships of the Royal Navy, A3". 11 March 2007. Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ a b c Trew, Peter (2006). Rodney and the Breaking of the Line. Pen & Sword Military. p. 227. ISBN 1844151433.
- ^ Winfield, Rif (2007). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1714-1792: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Pen and Sword. pp. 1780–1781. ISBN 9781783469253.
- ^ a b c "British Fifth Rate frigate 'Andromache' (1781)". threedecks.org. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Climatic Research Unit Research Publication 12". p. 69. Archived from the original on 23 September 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2020.