HMS Unicorn (1794)
'Engagement between the Unicorn Frigate Capt Williams and the Tribune French Frigate near Waterford', an 1801 engraving depicting the capture of the Tribune by HMS Unicorn
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| History | |
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 UK
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| Name: | HMS Unicorn |
| Ordered: | 9 December 1790 |
| Builder: | M/Shipwright John Nelson (died March 1793; completed by Thomas Pollard, Chatham Dockyard |
| Laid down: | March 1792 |
| Launched: | 12 July 1794 |
| Honours and awards: |
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| Fate: | Broken up in March 1815 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | 32-gun Pallas-class frigate |
| Tons burthen: | 791 3⁄94 bm |
| Length: | 135 ft 8 3⁄4 in (41.4 m) |
| Beam: | 36 ft 2 3⁄4 in (11.0 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 12 ft 5 3⁄4 in (3.8 m) |
| Sail plan: | Full-rigged ship |
| Armament: |
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HMS Unicorn was a 32-gun fifth-rate Pallas-class frigate of the Royal Navy, launched in 1794 at Chatham. This frigate served in both the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars, including a medal action early in her career. She was broken up in 1815.
Unicorn entered service in 1794 under the command of Captain William Cayley, who was followed in 1795 by Captain Thomas Williams. Under Williams, Unicorn served in the Western Approaches, operating from Cork. On 31 May, Unicorn, Scipio and Latona shared in the capture of the Dutch schooner Mary, Captain Pierce.
On 28 August 1795, Unicorn was in company with Diana and Seahorse, when Unicorn captured the Dutch East Indiaman Cromhout or Crumhout.Cromhout's capture resulted in at least £40,000 in prize money to be distributed among her captors.
Then Unicorn parted company with the rest of the squadron and after a chase of 13 hours captured the Dutch brig Komeet (or Comet), which was under the command of Captain-Lieutenant Mynheer Claris. Comet was only four years old, in excellent condition, and armed with 18 English 9-pounder guns. She was sailing from the Cape of Good Hope to the Texel and was provisioned with water and food for 110 men for a nine-month cruise. The Royal Navy took her into service as HMS Comeet.
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