HMS Southampton (1757)
| History | |
|---|---|
 Great Britain
|
|
| Name: | HMS Southampton |
| Ordered: | 12 March 1756 |
| Builder: | Robert Inwood, Rotherhithe |
| Laid down: | April 1756 |
| Launched: | 5 May 1757 |
| Completed: | 19 June 1757 at Deptford Dockyard |
| Commissioned: | April 1757 |
| Fate: | Wrecked in the Bahamas, 27 November 1812 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Southampton-class fifth-rate frigate |
| Tons burthen: | 671 64⁄94 bm |
| Length: |
|
| Beam: | 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 12 ft 1 in (3.68 m) |
| Sail plan: | Full-rigged ship |
| Complement: | 210 officers and men |
| Armament: | |
HMS Southampton was the name ship of the 32-gun Southampton-class fifth-rate frigates of the Royal Navy. She was launched in 1757 and served for more than half a century until wrecked in 1812.
In 1772, Southampton – at the time commanded by the capable John MacBride, destined for a distinguished naval career – was sent to Elsinore, Denmark, to take on board and convey to exile in Germany the British Princess Caroline Matilda, George III's sister, who had been deposed from her position as Queen of Denmark due to her affair with the social reformer Johan Struensee.
On 3 August 1780, Southampton captured the French privateer lugger Comte de Maurepas, of 12 guns and 80 men, under the command of Joseph Le Cluck. She had on board Mr. Andrew Stuart, Surgeon's Mate of HMS Speedwell, "as a ransomer." She had suffered shot holes between wind and water and sank shortly thereafter. Southampton shared the head money award with Buffalo, Thetis, and Alarm.
On 10 June 1796, Southampton captured the French corvette Utile at Hyères Roads, by boarding. Utile was armed with twenty-four 6-pounder guns and was under the protection of a battery. She had a crew of 136 men under the command of Citizen François Veza. The French put up a resistance during which they suffered eight killed, including Veza, and 17 wounded; Southampton had one man killed. The Royal Navy took her into service as HMS Utile. Gorgon, Courageux, and the hired armed cutter Fox were in company at the time, and with the British fleet outside Toulon. They shared with Southampton in the proceeds of the capture, as did Barfleur, Bombay Castle, Egmont, and St George.
...
Wikipedia