HMS Alligator (1787)
| History | |
|---|---|
 Great Britain
|
|
| Name: | HMS Alligator |
| Ordered: | 7 May 1782 |
| Builder: | Philemon Jacobs, Sandgate |
| Laid down: | December 1782 |
| Launched: | 18 April 1787 |
| Completed: | By 18 July 1790 |
| Honours and awards: |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Egypt" |
| Fate: | Sold on 21 July 1814 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | 28-gun Enterprise-class sixth rate frigate |
| Tons burthen: | 599 42⁄94 bm |
| Length: |
|
| Beam: | 33 ft 7 1⁄2 in (10.2 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 11 ft (3.35 m) |
| Sail plan: | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement: | 200 |
| Armament: |
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HMS Alligator was a 28-gun Enterprise-class sixth rate frigate of the Royal Navy. She was originally ordered during the American War of Independence but was completed too late to see service during the conflict. Instead she had an active career during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
Commissioned during the last few years of peace prior to the outbreak of war with France, Alligator served in British waters, making trips as far afield as the Mediterranean and the North American coast. During the period of conflict that began in 1793, Alligator spent a considerable amount of time in the West Indies under a number of commanders, and was effective in anti-privateer operations. Despite this she was laid up for a period starting in 1795, and was reduced to a 16-gun troopship in 1800. Further service followed in the West Indies, supporting the fleet and army movements around the islands, and taking part in the capture of several French frigates. She was again laid up, and as the end of hostilities approached, was deemed surplus and was sold in 1814.
Alligator was one of the third batch of Enterprise-class ships to be ordered by the Admiralty, with the contract to build her being awarded to Philemon Jacobs, of Sandgate on 7 May 1782. She was laid down there in December 1782 and launched on 18 April 1787. With there being no immediate need for a large number of ships in the navy after the end of the war with America, Alligator was gradually completed between 20 April 1787 and 18 July 1790, at first at Deptford Dockyard and then at the civilian yards of Randall & Co, at Rotherhithe. She cost a total of £2,771 with £4,330 spent on fitting costs and expenses incurred at Deptford. She commissioned under her first commander, Captain Isaac Coffin in June 1790.
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