HMS Plumper (1804)
| History | |
|---|---|
 UK
|
|
| Name: | HMS Plumper |
| Ordered: | 9 January 1804 |
| Builder: | (John) Dudman & Co., Deptford |
| Laid down: | April 1804 |
| Launched: | 7 September 1804 |
| Captured: | 16 July 1805 |
| History | |
 France
|
|
| Name: | Plumper |
| Acquired: | July 1805 by capture |
| Commissioned: | 30 August 1805 |
| Renamed: | Argus (24 September 1814), Plumper (22 March 1815), and Argus (15 July 1815) |
| Fate: | Struck 1827 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Archer-class gunbrig |
| Tonnage: | 179 57⁄94 (bm) |
| Length: |
|
| Beam: | 22 ft 6 in (6.9 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 9 ft 5 1⁄2 in (2.9 m) |
| Sail plan: | Brig |
| Complement: | 50 |
| Armament: | 10 × 18-pounder carronades + 2 x 12-pounder chase guns |
HMS Plumper was a later Archer-class gun-brig of the Royal Navy, launched in 1804. The French captured her in 1805 and took her into their Navy under her existing name. Between 1814 and 1815 her name alternated between Plumper and Argus, finally settling on Argus. As Argus she sailed to Senegal in 1816 in company with Méduse, whose shipwreck gave rise to a famous painting. In 1818 Argus was assigned to colonial service. She was condemned in October 1822 at Saint-Louis, Senegal, and struck in 1827.
Plumper was commissioned in October 1804 under the command of Lieutenant James Henry Garrety.
In July 1805 Plumper, together with her sister-ship Teazer, were part of the Royal Navy force blockading the coat of northern France. On 15 July the two gun-brigs were off Granville, Manche when they became becalmed. To avoid the tide carrying them onto the coast, the two anchored in the afternoon off Chausey. A heavy fog came up and at 2:30 am on 16 July, several French vessels were seen to emerge from the darkness. Plumper attempted to get closer to Teazer so that they could support each other, but was unable to so. The French force, which consisted of six brigs, a schooner, and a ketch, stood off and battered Plumper with their guns.Plumper returned fire, but being armed primarily with cannonades, was outranged. During the exchange of fire, Garrety had an arm shot off, a leg crippled by grapeshot, and a piece of langrange lacerated his chest. Four seamen were also wounded. After an hour, Sub-Lieutenant Richards, who had taken over command after Garrety had been taken below, struck. Later, some of Plumper's crew accused Richards of having too quickly surrendered.
After daybreak, the French also captured Teazer. They then took both their prizes into Granville, with Plumper being in a sinking state.
The French commissioned Plumper at Saint-Servan on 30 August 1805. Between 1814 and 1815 Plumper underwent several name changes, ultimately becoming Argus.
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Wikipedia