HMS Ambush (1814)
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States
|
|
| Name: | Gunboat No. 5 |
| Builder: | William Price, Baltimore |
| Launched: | 1 March 1805 |
| Fate: | Captured by the Royal Navy, 14 December 1814 |
 United Kingdom
|
|
| Name: | HMS Ambush |
| Acquired: | by capture, 14 December 1814 |
| Fate: | Sold, 1815 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Gunboat |
| Sail plan: | Lateen sail |
| Complement: | 36 (1813) |
| Armament: |
|
HMS Ambush, or Ambush No. 5, was the American Gunboat No. 5 , launched in 1805. She served in the Mediterranean later that year. The Royal Navy captured her at the Battle of Lake Borgne on 14 December 1814. She was sold in 1815.
Gunboat No. 5 was built in Baltimore by William Price as one of a number of gunboats that President Thomas Jefferson had built for the defense of the United States. Price built her to a design by Josiah Fox, "Head Ship Carpenter and Navy Constructor", and launched her on 1 March 1805. She may have been a double-ender, initially armed with two 32-pounder guns (one fore and one aft). She had 2,600 pounds of copper in the sheathing for her hull and in her fittings, had a single mast amidships, and was rigged with a lateen sail. Sailing Master Alexander Harrison was named to command her.
Gunboat No. 5 left Hampton Roads on 15 May and sailed to the Mediterranean, in company with Gunboat No. 10. In 1805 the navy sent eight gunboats to the Mediterranean. For the voyage across the Atlantic, the gunboats received a dandy rig, false keels, and lee boards. They stowed their guns below, but carried light guns, possibly swivel guns, in order to have some means of defense.
No. 5 arrived at Gibraltar on 14 June. She then sailed to Syracuse, staying there 8–9 July. She was at Tunis in August, and then returned to winter-over at Syracuse.
Although Gunboats No. 2 through 10 (minus No. 7) arrived in the Mediterranean too late to see action, they remained there with Commodore Rodgers's squadron until summer 1806. They then sailed back to the United States.No. 5 arrived back at Charleston on 21 July 1806. She then sailed to Gosport, Virginia, where she arrived on 30 July. There she was laid up.
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