HMS Orestes (1805)
| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom
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| Name: | HMS Orestes |
| Ordered: | 16 July 1805 |
| Builder: | Jaabez Bailey, Ipswich |
| Laid down: | August 1805 |
| Launched: | 23 October 1805 |
| Fate: | Sold for breaking up 1817 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | 16-gun brig-sloop |
| Tons burthen: | 284 8⁄94 bm |
| Length: |
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| Beam: | 26 ft 6 in (8.1 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 12 ft 0 in (3.7 m) |
| Sail plan: | Sloop |
| Complement: | 95 |
| Armament: |
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HMS Orestes was a 16-gun brig-sloop of the Seagull class of the British Royal Navy, launched in October 1805. She served during the Napoleonic Wars, primarily in the North Sea and the Channel, where she captured two privateers. The Navy sold her in 1817.
Commander George Poulet commissioned Orestes in January 1806. In October Commander John Richards Lapenotiere replaced Poulet. On 2 October Orestes was among the three British warships that were in company when they captured the Elonara Wilhelmina, Zimmerman, master. Four days later Lapenoitiere and Orestes captured two Dutch fishing vessels, the Jonge Classina and Hoop Van Winsl.
On 19 January 1807, Orestes recaptured the Ant. Three months later, on 16 April, Orestes captured the Sophia. Then on 26 May, Orestes was in company with the third rate Resolution and the hired armed cutter Lord Keith when they captured the Hoppet and the Neptunus.
During the summer, Orestes was in the North Sea as part of the fleet under Admiral Gambier that engaged in the second battle of Copenhagen. After the evacuation of Zeeland, Orestes remained as part of the squadron protecting merchant shipping in the Sound. On 16 November Orestes was off Elsinore, engaging in an exchange of fire with some shore batteries while attempting to recapture a British vessel the Danes had captured. Unfortunately, sparks from the guns ignited a small magazine of gunpowder, which exploded. The explosion burnt off all the skin on Lapenoitiere's face, ears and neck, and all his hair, and caused some other injuries as well.
After her service in the North Sea, Orestes served on the Plymouth station until 1810. On 18 June 1808, Orestes captured the Spanish lugger Concepcione.Concepcion was a 12-gun letter of marque. Orestes also recaptured an American ship sailing to Plymouth with timber.
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