HMS Royal Oak (1809)
| History | |
|---|---|
 UK
|
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| Name: | HMS Royal Oak |
| Builder: | Dudman, Deptford Wharf |
| Laid down: | December 1805 |
| Launched: | 4 March 1809 |
| Fate: | Broken up, 1850 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Fame-class ship of the line |
| Tons burthen: | 1759 (bm) |
| Length: | 175 ft (53 m) (gundeck) |
| Beam: | 47 ft 6 in (14.48 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 20 ft 6 in (6.25 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Full rigged ship |
| Complement: | 650 officers and men (inc. 60-80 marines) |
| Armament: |
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HMS Royal Oak was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 4 March 1809 at Dudman's yard at Deptford Wharf. Her first commanding officer was Captain Pulteney Malcolm.
In 1812 Royal Oak was under the command of Captain Thomas George Shortland, who was superseded by Captain Edward Dix in 1813. During this time she was the flagship of Rear-Admiral Lord Amelius Beauclerk, off the Texel.
Royal Oak shared with other vessels in the proceeds of the capture on 17 December 1813 of the American vessel Maria Antoinette.
On 1 June 1814 Rear-Admiral Pulteney Malcolm, who had hoisted his flag aboard Royal Oak, proceeded with troops under Brigadier-General Robert Ross to North America. Malcolm accompanied Sir Alexander Cochrane on the expedition up the Chesapeake and regulated the debarkation and embarkation of the troops employed against Washington and Baltimore.
In December Royal Oak was with the fleet under Cochrane preparing for the attack on New Orleans. Before the attack, her boats participated in the Battle of Lake Borgne.
On 8 December 1814, two US gunboats fired on Sophie, Armide and the sixth-rate frigate Seahorse while they were passing the chain of small islands that runs parallel to the shore between Mobile and Lake Borgne.
Between 12 and 15 December 1814, Captain Lockyer of Sophie led a flotilla of some 50 boats, barges, gigs and launches to attack the US gunboats. Lockyer drew his flotilla from the fleet that was massing against New Orleans, including the 74-gun Third Rates Royal Oak and Tonnant, and a number of other vessels including Armide, Seahorse, Manly and Meteor.
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Wikipedia