Adèle (1800 brig)
| History | |
|---|---|
 France
|
|
| Name: | Adèle |
| Builder: | Nantes |
| Commissioned: | May 1800 |
| Captured: | November 1800 |
| History | |
 England
|
|
| Name: | Waller |
| Namesake: | Captain William Waller |
| Operator: | East India Company (EIC), 1801-1804 |
| Acquired: | 1801 by purchase post-capture |
| Fate: | Sold August 1804 |
 UK
|
|
| Name: | HMS Firebrand |
| Acquired: | 1804 by purchase |
| Fate: | Wrecked 1804 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 120-140 tons (French) |
| Tons burthen: | 140 (bm) |
| Length: | 80 ft 2 in (24.4 m) (overall); c. |
| Sail plan: | Brig |
| Complement: | 60 (Adèle) |
| Armament: |
|
Adèle was a French privateer brig commissioned in 1800 that the British Royal Navy captured later that year. The British East India Company's government in India purchased her in 1801 for service as an armed brig in the Bay of Bengal and along the Coromandel Coast. In 1804 she sailed to Britain where the Admiralty purchased her for use as a fire ship, and named her HMS Firebrand. She was wrecked in 1804.
In May 1800, Nicholas Surcouf commissioned Adèle. She was described as a "beautiful little vessel (….) recently fitted out at Nantz, well found, and in every respect qualified for the service she was intended to perform".
Adèle sailed from Mauritius on the evening of 25 August, in company with the privateer Gloire.
Adèle and Surcouf captured eight small prizes, four of which he permitted to go on their way after Surcouf had plundered them of what he had thought necessary. However, on 13 November 1800 he encountered a British brig-sloop man-of-war.
HMS Albatross, Captain William Waller, captured Adèle (or Adel) at 18°N 91°E / 18°N 91°E. Adèle was armed with 10 guns and had a crew of 60 men.
Albatross had left Bombay and near the Point de Galle encountered a Danish vessel that informed him that the French privateers Confiance and Malartic were in the Bay of Bengal preying on British commerce. Waller therefore sailed north to attempt to find them.
At about 00:45 hours on the 13th, Albatross was well into the Bay of Bengal when she encountered a strange vessel. The size and behavior of the strange vessel suggested that she might be Malartic; however, she might also be HMS Mongoose. As the strange vessel approached Albatross cleared for action. The stranger fired two shots and when asked if she was Mongoose, replied, "French privateer Adèle. Heave to and send your boat on board." Albatross immediately fired a broadside that Adèle returned. The two vessels exchanged fire at close range for about half an hour until Adèle attempted to board. Albatross repelled the attempt and Adèle, now aware that she was not dealing with a merchant vessel, started to flee. Albatross gave chase and within another half an hour, caught up. The two vessels exchanged broadsides with the muzzles of their cannon touching when Adèle struck, and a British boarding party took possession of her.
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Wikipedia