HMS Express (1800)
| History | |
|---|---|
 UK
|
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| Name: | HMS Express |
| Ordered: | 24 May 1800 |
| Builder: | John Randall & Co., Rotherhithe |
| Laid down: | July 1800 |
| Launched: | 30 December 1800 |
| Honours and awards: |
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| Fate: | Sold May 1813 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Express class |
| Tonnage: | 178 48⁄94 (bm) |
| Length: |
|
| Beam: | 21 ft 6 in (6.6 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 13 ft 1 in (4.0 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | |
| Complement: | 30 |
| Armament: | 6 x 12-pounder carronades |
HMS Express was the name-ship of a class of two schooner-rigged advice-boats of the Royal Navy. Express was launched in 1800 and served until she was sold in 1813. During her career she served in one action and one campaign that in 1847 qualified her surviving crew members for clasps to the Naval General Service Medal.
In January 1801 Lieutenant Robert Sayer commissioned Express for Jersey. Then in August 1802 he sailed her for Trinidad. She spent several years there as a tender with no fixed commanding officer.
In July 1805 Express was in the Leeward Islands under the command of Lieutenant William Swiney. His replacement was Lieutenant George Spearing. In July and early August, Express was part of a squadron that included Attentive and Prevost, and that was under the command of Commander Donald Campbell (acting), in Lilly. Together, they supported General Francisco de Miranda in his quixotic and unsuccessful attempt to liberate the Viceroyalty of New Granada from Spain.
In September 1806, Lieutenant Humphrey Fleming Senhouse was appointed to command Express. In March 1808, he joined HMS Belleisle. His replacement as commander of Express was Lieutenant William Dowers.
On 27 February 1807 the sloop Port d'Espagne and Express captured the brig Altrevido, Nichola Valpardo, Master. Ballahoo shared by agreement in the prize money due Express.
On 2 March 1807 Express and Ballahoo captured the sloop Endeavour. three weeks later, on 20 March, Express and Ballahoo captured the sloop Two Friends, Antonio, master.
A year later, on 29 March 1808 Cerberus, in company with Lilly, Pelican, Express, Swinger and Mosambique, sailed from Marie-Galante to attack the island of La Désirade. They arrived on 30 March and sent in a landing party of seamen and marines from the vessels of the squadron, all under the overall command of Captain Sherriff of Lily. As the boats approached they exchanged fire with a battery of 9-pounder guns covering the entrance to the harbour. The ships' guns silenced the battery and the French surrendered.
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Wikipedia