HMS Minerva (1780)
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom
|
|
| Name: | HMS Minerva |
| Operator: | Royal Navy |
| Ordered: | 1778 |
| Builder: | Woolwich Dockyard |
| Laid down: | 1778 |
| Launched: | 3 June 1780 |
| Commissioned: | 6 July 1780 |
| Honours and awards: |
Naval General Service Medal with clasp "Egypt" |
| Fate: |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Minerva-class frigate |
| Tons burthen: | 940 (bm) |
| Length: | 141 ft 0 in (42.98 m) |
| Beam: | 38 ft 10 in (11.84 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 13 ft 9 in (4.19 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sail |
| Complement: | 270 (raised to 280 on 25 April 1780) |
| Armament: | |
HMS Minerva was a 38-gun fifth-rate Royal Navy frigate. The first of four Minerva-class frigates, she was launched on 3 June 1780, and commissioned soon thereafter. In 1798 she was renamed Pallas and employed as a troopship. She was broken up in 1803.
Captain Charles Fielding commissioned Minerva in April 1780, for the Channel. At some point Minerva captured the French brig Jupiter. Between 24 and 27 December 1780, Minerva captured the Thomas en Jank, the Yonge Frone Teglaar, and the Zeepost.
On 11 April 1781, Minerva was serving with Vice-Admiral George Darby's Channel Fleet off Cape St Vincent when the British spotted three vessels. Darby sent Alexander , Foudroyant, and Minerva in pursuit, but the three vessels, which turned out to be enemy frigates, made it safely to Cadiz. Some time thereafter vessels of the Fleet made attacks on some gunboats, during which Minerva had some men badly wounded.Minerva was among the many ships of Darby's Fleet that shared in the prize money for the capture of Duc de Chartres, the Spanish frigate Santa Leocadia, and the French brig Trois Amis.
The next day, Darby's squadron of 29 ships of the line, and the 100 store ships from England laden for the relief of Gibraltar that they were escorting, entered the bay there. Later, on 9 June Minerva sailed with the Lisbon trade.
On 9 October 1781, Minerva, Monsieur, Flora, and Crocodile captured the American privateer Hercules. The next day Minerva and Monsieur captured the American privateer Jason.
In early 1782 Captain the Honourable Thomas Pakenham assumed command of Minerva. On 11 March 1782, Minerva and Daphne captured the brig Pearl off Oporto.
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Wikipedia