HMS Triton was a 12pdr-armed, 32-gun, Fifth Rate Frigate, built under Navy Board contract at the shipyard owned by Mrs Frances Barnard at Deptford, at the time in the County of Kent. She was an experimental vessel, the only ship built to that design.
HMS Triton was unusual for a number of reasons. Firstly, she was built from fir rather than oak. Secondly, she was designed by a serving officer rather than a professional naval architect. Thirdly, her shape was also unusual and groundbreaking. Her bows were much finer and more sharply raked and her sides were much more square than was usual for a ship of the time. In addition to this, her stern under the transom (where the windows are) was square rather than rounded. She was designed for speed and manoeuvrability over anything else and could outsail any other frigate in the fleet in any weather once a problem with the placement of her fore mast had been resolved. The ship could make over 11 knots close-hauled under double-reefed topsails, significantly faster in this, the slowest point of sailing, than anything other than a fore-and-aft rigged vessel such as a schooner. The ship was designed for rapid construction and she was not intended to have a long service career. In this respect, she was similar in concept to the emergency ships produced in vast numbers during the Second World War. The reason for the hurry was because the Royal Navy's fleet of frigates was for the most part, obsolete when the French Revolutionary War had broken out in 1793. On the outbreak of the war, the bulk of the Royal Navy's frigates were 9pdr-armed 28-gun ships and 12pdr-armed 32 gun ships. During the American War of Independence (1775 - 1784), the French had built large numbers of 36, 38 and 40-gun frigates carrying 18pdr long guns. Although the British had started building 18pdr-armed frigates during that war, there were nowhere near enough of them in service by the start of the war in 1793. HMS Triton was intended also to carry the larger guns.
The ship was designed by Captain James Gambier. He had been appointed to the Board of the Admiralty under Lord Spencer in the Government of William Pitt the Younger on the 7th March 1795. Already a successful commander, he had distinguished himself during the Battle of the Glorious First of June while in command of HMS Defence (74) and had come in for particular praise from Admiral Lord Howe as a result of his actions in that battle. A deeply religious man, he had preferred life ashore to that at sea and in the 18 years between passing his examination for Lieutenant in 1777 to his appointment to the Admiralty in 1795, he had only spent five years at sea. He saw no problem with imposing his own religious views and standards on his men, going so far as fining officers he caught swearing and making seamen caught swearing to walk around the decks of the ship wearing a 32lb round shot in a harness. He also forbade women coming aboard his ships when in port unless they were in possession of a marriage certificate and forced his men to sing hymns instead of the more traditional sea shanties when working. For these reasons, he was known throughout the fleet as 'Dismal Jimmy'.
The contract for the construction of HMS Triton was signed on the 7th April 1796. Her first keel section was laid later that month. The use of fir rather than oak with a design optimised for rapid construction mean that Mrs Barnard's men were able to complete the hull and launch the ship in six months. HMS Triton was launched on the 5th September 1796 and was taken to the Deptford Royal Dockyard to be fitted with guns, masts and rigging. On fitting out starting, the Navy Board was not convinced that the ship would be strong enough to carry 18pdr guns, so they ordered instead that HMS Triton be fitted with lighter 12pdr guns.
HMS Triton commissioned for the Channel Fleet under Captain John Gore during fitting out and was declared complete at Deptford on the 31st October 1796. Captain John Gore was aged 34 when he was appointed to command HMS Triton and at this age, he was already an experienced and successful commander. Born in 1772, he had entered the Royal Navy as Midshipman-in-Ordinary at the age of 12 in August of 1781. He had passed his examination for Lieutenant on the 26th November 1789 and gained his first command appointment on the 24th May 1794 when he was made Master and Commander in the ex-French Brig-rigged Sloop of War HMS Fleche of 14 guns. He had first been Posted or promoted to Captain in November of that year when he had been appointed to command the 98 gun Second Rate ship of the line HMS Windsor Castle. That appointment had been made when HMS Windsor Castle's crew had mutinied and had refused to serve under her previous commander, Captain William Shield. Captain Gore had been appointed to the ship by Vice-Admiral Sir William Hotham, the then-new Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean as part of the peaceful settlement of the mutiny. After HMS Windsor Castle, he had been appointed to command the recently captured French 74 gun ship of the line Le Censeur when that ship had been taken during the Battle of Genoa on 14th March 1795. Badly damaged in the battle, the now-HMS Censeur had been stripped of her guns to lighten the vessel and had been sent back to the UK for repairs and was recaptured by the French on the way. After about a year as a prisoner of war, he had been appointed to command the 18pdr-armed 36 gun frigate HMS Trent after his repatriation. HMS Trent had been another fir-built ship.
On completion, HMS Triton was a ship of 855 tons. She was 142ft long at the gundeck and 123ft along the keel. She was 36ft 2in wide across her beams. The ship was armed with 26 x 12pdr long guns on her gundeck with 4 x 6pdr long guns and 6 x 24pdr carronades on her quarterdeck with 2 x 6pdr long guns and 2 x 24pdr carronades on her forecastle. In addition to these guns, she carried a dozen half-pounder swivel guns on her quarterdeck and forecastle handrails and bulwarks. The ship was manned by a crew of 200 officers, seamen, boys and Marines.
On commissioning a new ship, Captain Gore's first task was to recruit a crew. He didn't have to do this alone. The Admiralty appointed his commissioned sea officers into the ship. The three lieutenants were ranked in order of seniority, based on the dates on which they had passed their examinations. The First Lieutenant was clearly the most important of these as he was second-in-command of the ship and controlled the day to day operations of the ship and her crew. Each of the Lieutenants was in effect, a commander in waiting, gaining experience and patronage in preparation for the day when they would be given a command of their own.
The Warrant Officers were the ship's core craftsmen and effectively heads of departments and the most senior of them were appointed into the ship by the Navy Board. The ship's Standing Officers were those men who men who would remain with the ship whether or not she was in commission and these were:
The Carpenter - He was a fully qualified shipwright, usually appointed from amongst the men who had built the ship. He answered to the First Lieutenant and was responsible for the repair and maintenance of the hull, frames and decks. In a
32-gun Fifth Rate Frigate, he would be assisted by a single Carpenters Mate and would have a dedicated Carpenters Crew of five men.
The Boatswain - He was an experienced seaman who had worked his way up from the ranks of seamen. He also answered to the First Lieutenant and was responsible for the maintenance, operation and repair of the ship's boats as well as her masts, rigging and sails. He was assisted in this by a single Boatswains Mate. Amongst the duties of the Boatswains Mate was the administering of any floggings ordered by the Captain.
The Gunner - He was another man who had worked his way up the ranks of seamen. He also answered to the First Lieutenant and was responsible for the repair, maintenance and operation of the ship's main guns. Also amongst his responsibilities was the training of gun crews and training Midshipmen-in-Ordinary in the arts of gunnery. In action, he was responsible for the distribution of gunpowder and shot and would be stationed in the magazine. He was assisted by a single Gunners Mate and eight Quarter-Gunners, each of whom was responsible for four gun crews.
The Purser - He reported directly to the Captain and was thus entitled to a berth in the Wardroom with the commissioned officers. He was responsible for the purchase and distribution of the ship's provisions and stores.
The Cook - The least senior of the Standing Officers, his job title is self-explanatory. He was aso in overall charge of the ship's complement of servants.
In addition to the Standing Officers, there were other Warrant Officers who would only be in the ship when she was in commission. These were:
The Sailing Master - He was responsible for the day-to-day sailing and navigation of the ship and was a qualified Ships Master. If not employed by the Royal Navy, he was qualified to command a merchant vessel. He answered directly to the Captain and in addition to directing the sailing and navigation of the ship, he was also responsible for training Midshipmen-in-Ordinary in the arts of sailing and navigation. As a Warrant Officer reporting directly to the Captain, he was entitled to a berth in the Wardroom with the commissioned sea-officers. In a 32-gun Fifth Rate Frigate like HMS Triton, he was assisted by two Masters Mates. In addition to the Masters Mates, there were also three Quartermasters with three Quartermasters Mates responsible for the actual steering of the ship.
The Surgeon - Another man who reported directly to the Captain and entitled to a berth in the Wardroom, he was responsible for the day to day healthcare of the whole crew from the Captain down. Although not a doctor, a ship's surgeon had to serve and pass a seven-year apprenticeship which was overseen by the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Physicians before he would be alowed to practice unsupervised. He was assisted by an Assistant Surgeons, who was himself a part-qualified Surgeon.
The Master at Arms - Responsible to the First Lieutenant, he was in effect, the ship's policeman, responsible for the day-to-day enforcement of discipline amongst the crew. In a 32-gun Fifth Rate Frigate like HMS Triton, he was assisted by two Ship's Corporals.
The Armourer - Answerable to the Gunner, he was a fully qualified blacksmith and was responsible for the maintenance and repair of the ships stocks of small arms and bladed weapons. He could also manufacture new bladed weapons as required. On a 32-gun Fifth Rate frigate, he was assisted by a single Armourers Mate.
The Sailmaker - Answerable to the Boatswain, he was responsible for the repair and maintenance of the ships sails, the storage of spare sails as well as the ships stocks of flags. He was assisted by a single Sailmakers Mate with a dedicated crew of one man.
The Caulker - Answerable to the Carpenter he was responsible for making sure the ship's hull and decks remained watertight. He was assisted by seamen as directed by the First Lieutenant.
The Chaplain - An ordained Church of England priest, he was responsible for the spiritual well-being of the crew. He was answerable to the Captain. In action, the Chaplain would assist the Surgeons crew with the care of wounded men. In deference to his ordained status, he was entitled to a berth in the Wardroom.
The Schoolmaster - Answerable to the First Lieutenant, he was responsible for teaching the Midshipmen in Ordinary the theory and mathematics behind navigation. With the Captains agreement, he also taught the ship's Boys the basic '3rs'.
The Clerk - Answerable to the Purser, he was responsible for all the record keeping aboard the ship and making sure that the ships books were sent to the Admiralty.
The ship had a complement of six Midshipmen. These young men were in effect, commanders in training and their job was to assist the ships Lieutenants in their day to day duties. Only the most senior of the ship's Midshipman had a specific job, in charge of signals. The Midshipmen were appointed into the ship by the local Commander-in-Chief. In addition to the Midshipmen, there were Midshipmen-in-Ordinary, also known as Quarterdeck Boys. These young men, at the beginning of their careers as officers in the Royal Navy, wore the uniform and performed the role of a Midshipman. They were usually related to the Captain, one of his friends or somebody the Captain either owed a favour to or was doing a favour for. They were on the ship's books as Captains Servants and were paid at the same rate as an Able Seaman. In a ship like HMS Triton with a crew of 220, the Captain would be entitled to have up to eight servants or four per hundred of her Company. Unless the Captain was particularly extravagant, he wouldn't require anything like this number of servants, so the remaining positions on the ship's books were taken up with the Midshipmen-in-Ordinary.
In addition to these men, HMS Triton's crew would have been made up of Petty Officers in charge of specific areas of the ship or specific tasks to be carried out by the seamen. The seamen themselves would have been rated according to their experience at sea.
In addition to the seamen and in common with all Rated ships, HMS Triton carried a complement of Marines. In a 32-gun Fifth Rate frigate, there was a Lieutenant of Marines in command, assisted by a Sergeant, a Corporal, a Drummer and 30 Marine Privates. These men would have come aboard as a pre-existing unit.
Plans of HMS TritonOrlop Plan:
Berth or Lower Deck Plan:
Gundeck Plan:
Forecastle and Quarterdeck Plans:
Framing Plan:
Inboard Profile and Pan:
Sheer Plan and Lines. Notice that the repositioned fore mast is shown in green:
The Navy Board model of HMS Triton, held in the collection of the National Maritime Museum. The model is devoid of deck fittings, but shows the shape of the hull. Broadside view:
Port Bow view:
Starboard Quarter view:
A painting by Nicholas Pocock of HMS Triton at sea, showing the ship from different angles. Thos painting was commissioned by James Gambier himself:
After taking the ship to sea, there were problems with her handling in heavy weather. Although she sailed well and was particularly fast, she tended to slam into waves rather then just riding over them. As a result, her stern would sink into the trough of the wave before the bow had fully recovered, which made her vulnerable to being swamped by a hevy following sea. This problem was resolved by moving her fore mast forward a few feet.
Once the modification to HMS Triton were complete, it didn't take long for the ship and her crew to get into the action of shutting down French shipping in the Bay of Biscay and the Western Approaches. In February of 1797, HMS Triton was operating in company with HMS Phoenix (18pdr, 36) and HMS Stag (18pdr, 32). In the words of Captain Lawrence William Halsted of HMS Phoenix in his letter to Evan Nepean, Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty:
Phoenix
At Sea
February 11 1797
Sir,
Be pleased to acquaint their Lordships, that the Jeune Emilie, a French Privateer Brig, of Ten Guns and Sixty-two Men, was captured by His Majesty's Ship Triton this Evening. She has been only Forty Days from St. Maloes, has taken an English Sloop called the Friendship, from Lisbon to Liverpool, with Fruit, and an English Ship Letter of Marque, (privateer)
of Ten Nine-Pounders and Twenty-one Men, called the Battalion, from Liverpool to Jamaica, after an Action of Three Quarters of an Hour.
I have also to acquaint you, for their Lordships further Information, that the Triton captured the French Privateer Cutter Recovery, of Fourteen Guns and Forty-six Men, on the 10th Instant, which had been a few Days from Havre, and had taken an English Smuggler, and an American Ship bound to Bombay the - latter was retaken a few Hours afterwards by the Stag.
I have the Honor to be, &c &c
L W HALSTEDThe following day, HMS Triton in company with HMS Phoenix, and the 6pdr-armed ex-French Sloop of War HMS Scourge (18) captured the French privateer cutter La Difficile of 18 guns. By agreement between the commanders, the prize money for this capture was also shared with the crews of HMS Stag and the ex-French HMS Unité (12pdr, 32) as they were in sight when the privateer was taken.
On the 12th June, HMS Triton was in company with the ships of the line HMS Impeteux, HMS Mars and HMS Marlborough (all of 74 guns) together with the frigate HMS Phaeton (18pdr, 38) when they captured La Zoee.
By August, HMS Triton was part of the famous Falmouth-based Western Squadron of frigates under Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren, flying his command Broad Pennant in the ex-French 24pdr-armed Heavy Frigate HMS Pomone of 44 guns. On the 11th August, HMS Triton was in company with HMS Pomone, HMS Jason (18pdr, 38) and the 32pdr carronade-armed brig-sloop HMS Sylph. In Commodore Warren's own words in his report to Admiral Sir Alexander Hood, the Lord Bridport, Commander-in-Chief Channel Fleet:
La Pomone, at Sea, August 12, 1797
My Lord,
I Beg Leave to inform your Lordship, that on the Morning of the 11th Instant, a Convoy of the Enemy, with a Ship Corvette, a Brig and Schooner, Gun-Boats, Two armed Luggers, several Chasse Marees and Brigs, were discovered Handing to Sea,
out of the Pertuis de Breton, from Rochfort:
I attempted to cut them off or destroy them with La Pomone and Jason, who attacked a Fort, in order cover the Sylph, who was anchored near the Two Corvettes, having left the Triton in Chace to Windward ; the Enemy, perceiving our Intention, anchored at the Entrance of the River of Sable D'Olonne, close under the Fort, the Ship Corvette and Gun-Boat with Springs upon their Cables.
At Eleven, being near enough, the Firing commenced and continued for an Hour, when the GunBoat slipped her Cables to run on Shore, but sunk before she got into the River, near the small Vessels, and the Corvette remained fast aground, but
deserted by her People and much damaged : As I did not think it possible to set her on Fire with the Boats of the Squadron, there being little Wind, and the Tide of Flood setting us upon the Coast, we hauled our Wind to the Southward.
I have the Satisfaction of acquainting your Lordsliip that it has occasioned a Delay for some Time of the Enemy's Supplies arriving at Brest, as one of the Vessels is destroyed, and it is doubtful if the other can be repaired so as to be of any Use in future.
The Ships of the Squadron have sustained very trifling Damages. A Return of the Killed and Wounded in each Ship is inclosed.
I have only to lament that a more favorable Moment did not present itself to afford the Officers and Men an Opportunity of distinguishing themselves but the Enemy must have suffered considerably on Board the Vessels and in the Fort, from the
Number of Shot that struck them.
Some hot Shot were fired from a Battery of Five Guns, which set Fire to the Sylph, but any ill Effects were prevented by the Exertions of the Officers and Men of that Vessel, who cut them out, and behaved otherwile with much Spirit aud Zeal.
I have the Honor to remain,.
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient humble Servant,
JOHN WARREN.
P. S. Since I began this Letter, not having an Opportunity of sending it to your Lordship I have received Information from Three Vessels who had left Sable D'Olonne subsequent to the above Affair, and the following is the Result os these Reports:
The Ship Corvette is in the Harbour, but so damaged as to be unfit for Service.
The Gun-Boat remains sunk and destroyed.
The Enemy lost several killed and wounded in the Two vessels.
In the Fort Five Soldiers were killed and Two Guns dismounted, and some wounded Two or Three Houses much shattered.
We were off Sable D'Olonne on the 26th, and saw the Ship in the harbour.The French ship-corvette mentioned in Commodore Warren's letter was La Reolaise of 20 guns.
On 6th September 1797, Commodore Warren wrote to Lord Bridport again:
La Pomone, at Sea, September 6, 1797
My Lord,
I Beg Leave to inform your Lordship that I continued steering for the Mouth of the Garonne, and on the 27th Ultimo, being to the Southward of the River, a Number of Vessels were seen in the South West Quarter. I made the Signal for a general Chace, and continued until Night, when, from the Triton being far advanced a-head, and the Jason to Windward, the Ships kept the Enemy in Sight after the Approach of Night. Owing to the Exertions of Captains Gore and Stirling, Five of them
were captured.
At Two A. M. being near the Shore, a Cutter was seen at Anchor, that had accompanied the Convoy, and One of the Boats of this Ships was sent to her but being ordered to keep off, and seeing she was a Vessel of Force, returned. I stood in after
her, and upon our firing a few Shot, One of which cut away her Mast, she slipt her Cable, and run among the Breakers upon the Coast of Arcasson, and into a most tremendous Surf that broke on Board her, and must have stove her to Pieces, She at last drove through, and I fancy several of her Crew were drowned, and, as the Tide left her, she fell over; the Remainder of her Men, about 90 in Number, got on Shore. She was called Le Petit Diable, a very fine Vessel, pierced for 18 or 20 Guns, and 100 Men Complement.
Thc Prizes are laden with Ship-Timber, Rosin and Tar, and were intended to fit-out Privateers from the Enemy's principal Ports upon the Coast.
I have the Honor to be, &c.
JOHN WARRENSir John Warren also enclosed a list of the vessels taken and destroyed by the squadron including HMS Triton between the 17th July and the 6th September 1797. It was quite long and included vessels listed in previous letters:
Vessels of War captured.
L'Egalue, Chasse Maree, 50 Tons, 3 Guns and 20 Men, captured August 23, 1797, at L'lsle Dieu.
Vessels of War destroyed.
Le Calliope, Frigate, 36 Guns and 250 Men, captured July 17, 1797, in Hodierne Bay; bilged and sunk.
La Freedom, Ship, 300 Tons, 8 Guns and 47 Men, captured July 17, 1797; burnt.
A Ship Corvette, 22 Guns and 200 Men, captured August 11 , 1797, at Sable D'Olonne; on Shore, and bilged.
A Brig Gun-Vessel, 12 Guns and 70 Men, sunk.
Le Petit Diable, Cutter, 18 Guns and 180 Men, captured August 29, 1797, on the Coast of Arcasson; on Shore, bilged, and fell over.
Merchant Vessels captured.
La Thalia, Ship from Nantz to Brest, laden with Naval Stores and Provisions, captured July 17, 1797; sent to Falmouth
A Brig, from Nantz to Brest, laden with Naval Stores and Provisions, captured July 17, 1797 sent to Falmouth.
A Brig, from Nantz to Brest, laden with Naval Stores and Provisions, captured July 17, 1797 sent to Falmouth.
A Brig, from Nantz to Brest, laden with Naval Stores and Provisions, captured July 17, 1797 sent to Falmouth.
A Chasse Maree, from Nantz to Brest, laden with Naval Stores and Provisions, captured July 17, 1797: sent to Falmouth.
A Chasse Maree, from Nantz to Brest, laden with Naval Stores and Provisions, captured July 17, 1797; sent to Falmouth.
A Chasse Maree, from Nantz to Brest, laden with Naval Stores and Provisions, captured July 17, 1797; sent to Falmouth.
St. Rene Chasse Maree, from Nantz to Breff, laden with Naval Stores and Provisions captured July 17, 1797; sent to Falmouth.
L'Arche de Flotte, Chasse Maree, from Bourdeaux to Morlaix, laden with Wine and Soap, captured July 28, 1797; distributed to the Squadron.
A Brig, from Bayonne to Bourdeaux, laden with Rosin and Naval Stores, captured August 14, 1797; sent into Falmouth.
A Chasse Maree, from L'Orient to Nantz, ladenwith Rosin, captured August 23, 1797 sent into Falmouth.
La Republicaine, brig, from Bayonne to Bourdeaux and Nantz, 150 Tons and 8 Men, laden with Rosin and Naval Stores, captured August 29, 1797 ; foundered at Sea September, 1 the People saved.
Le Sardine Fraiche, Brig, from Bayonne to Bourdeaux and Nantz, 150 Tons and 8 Men, laden with Rosin and Naval Stores, captured August 29, 1797; foundered at Sea September 1; the People saved.
A Brig, from Bayonne to Bourdeaux and Nantz 75 Tons and 7 Men, laden with Rosin and Naval Stores, captured August 29, 1797; sent to Falmouth.
Le Dauphine, Brig, from Bayonnne to Bourdeaux and Nantz, 200 Tons and 9 Men, laden with Timber for Ship-Building sent to Falmouth.
Les Trois Soeurs, Chasse Maree, from Bayonne to Bourdeaux and Nantz, 74 Tons and 7 Men; sent to Falmouth.
Merchant Vessels destroyed.
Le name unknown
, Brig, from Nantz to Brest, 120 Tons and 14. Men, laden with Naval and Ordnance Stores, captured July 17, 1797; sunk in Hodierne Bay.
Le Henrie, Sloop, from Nantz to Bourdeaux, 60 Tons and 8 'Men, laden with Tar and empty Calks, captured July 17, 1797; burnt in Hodierne Bay.
Le Fidelle, Brig, from Nantz to Brest, 150 Tons and 12 Men, laden with Wine and Wads, captured July 22, 1797; burnt in Hodierne Bay.
L'Anne, Chasse Maree, from Bourdeaux to Noirmontier, 20 Tons and 5 Men, laden with Wine, captured July 30, 1797; sunk off L'lsle Dieu.
La Marie Anne, Sloop, from L'Orient to Bourdeaux, 45 Tons and 7 Men, in Ballast, captured August 23, 1797; sunk in Quiberon Bay.
Le Pierre, Sloop, from Rochfort to Brest, 75 Tons and 8 Men, laden with Cord Wood, captured August 23, 1797; burnt at L'lsle Dieu.
JOHN BORLASE WARRENOn the 23rd October 1797, Captain Gore wrote to Lord Bridport as follows:
My Lord,
I Have the Honor to inform your Lordship, that I this Day chased and captured, close in with Abbruaak, the Furet French Schooner Privateer, mounting 4 Guns, Four-Pounders, but pierced for 14, having 53 Men on Board; Twenty-three Days out
from Treguier, and had only taken the Denton English Brig, laden with Coals, which was retaken the next Day by His Majesty's Ship Jason.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN GOREOn 29th June 1798, the 12pdr-armed 32-gun frigate HMS Mermaid was patrolling near Belle Isle in company with HMS Jason (18pdr, 38) and HMS Pique (18pdr, 36), when they spotted the large French frigate Seine of 38 guns. The enemy ship was returning home from Mauritius with 400 soldiers aboard. The Seine was attempting to make landfall when she spotted the British frigates, which immediately gave chase. HMS Mermaid and HMS Jason headed inshore to prevent the Seine from heading into Lorient while HMS Pique continued after the French ship. At 21:00, HMS Pique opened fire. The two ships then engaged in a running fight until Pique came alongside the Seine at 23:00. The Pique and the Seine then fought it out at point blank range until 01:30 when the British ship's main topmast was shot away. HMS Jason joined the fight, taking over from HMS Pique which was ordered to anchor as she was in danger of drifting ashore. This order was disobeyed and as a result, HMS Pique ran aground. A short while later, HMS Jason also ran aground. On striking the shore, HMS Jason's stern swung around and faced the enemy's broadside, leaving her vulnerable to be raked. At the same time, the Seine also ran aground and came under fire from HMS Pique. Captain James Newman of HMS Mermaid, seeing that HMS Jason and HMS Pique were in serious trouble, approached the scene and on seeing the British frigate approaching, the Seine struck her colours and surrendered. The Seine was taken by HMS Mermaid and although HMS Jason was refloated, HMS Pique was damaged beyond repair and was abandoned. On the 30th June, on seeing that two large French frigates, a brig-corvette and gunboats were coming out of La Rochelle intent on driving away the British frigates and retaking the Seine, Captain James Stirling of HMS Jason signalled the rest of the squadron for help. When HMS Phaeton, HMS San Fiorenzo and HMS Triton sailed into view, the French thought better of engaging the British and returned to La Rochelle. La Seine was taken into the Royal Navy under her French name and the prize money was shared between the whole squadron by agreement amongst the commanders.
On the 11th and 12th December 1798, HMS Triton was in company with the ex-French HMS San Fiorenzo (18pdr, 38) when the following vessels were taken and sent into Plymouth with prize crews. From the letter from Captain Sir Harry Neale of HMS San Fiorenzo to Lord Bridport:
St. Joseph, Spanish Privateer, mounting 4 long Brass Six-Pounders, Complement 64 Men.
La Rusee, French Brig, coppered, just off the Stocks, and in every Respect fit for His Majesty's Service, mounting 14
Four-Pounders, Complement 60 Men.
Recaptured, The George Brig, of London, from Bristol bound to Lisbon, loaded with Coals, Copper, and Bottles.At dawn on the 16th October 1799, HMS Triton was patrolling off Cape Finisterre when they sighted sails in the distance. On closing the range to investigate, the group of sails turned out to be three British frigates chasing a pair of Spanish frigates. The British frigates were identified as being HMS Naiad (18pdr, 38), HMS Ethalion (18pdr, 38) and HMS Alcmene (12pdr, 32) and they were chasing the Spanish frigates Santa Brigida and Thetis (both of 34 guns). On realising that they were now being chased by four British frigates, the Spanish split up. At 07:00, Captain William Pierrepont of HMS Naiad as the senior commander on the scene ordered that HMS Ethalion pass the sternmost enemy frigate, the Santa Brigida and head after the Thetis. At 09:00, HMS Ethalion, coming within range of the Santa Brigida, fired a few guns at her in passing, and compelled her to steer a course still further from her consort. The Ethalion then, as she had been ordered, continued in chase of the Thetis, and owing to her good sailing caught up wih her so that at 11:30 the Thetis, having no other alternative, bore up across the bows of HMS Ethalion, at a distance of only about 50 yards. The British frigate quickly wore ship (changed tack by passing the stern of the ship through the eye of the wind), and fired two broadsides at the Spanish frigate. At length, after a running fight of about an hour, the Thetis struck her colours in surrender.
The Thetis had on board specie or coin to the following amount:
333 boxes containing each 3000 silver dollars,
four boxes containing each 2385 dollars,
93 boxes containing each 4000 dollars,
one box containing, besides 4000 dollars, two doubloons and 90 half-doubloons, of gold
making altogether, 1,385,292 dollars, equal at the then exchange rate of 4s and 6d to the dollar, to £311,690 sterling.
The Santa-Brigida, when she altered her course, as related above, bore up to the southward, and early on the morning of the 17th, succeeded by her fast sailing in rounding Cape Finisterre. To accomplish this, the Santa-Brigida had run so close to the rocks off Monte Lora, that at 05:00 HMS Triton, which was leading the chase, ran aground on the rocks. HMS Triton however, soon freed herself from the rocks and at 07:00 caught up and commenced an intense bombardment at the Spanish frigate and was soon joined in this by HMS Alcmene, and steering so as to cut off the Santa-Brigida, who had just before thrown overboard her anchors and boats, from Port de Vidre. At 08:00, the three British frigates closed with the Spanish frigate amidst the rocks of Commarurto at the entrance of Muros. After putting up a fierce fight against the three British frigates, the Santa Brigida also surrendered.
HMS Triton had one seaman wounded, and received considerable damage from striking on the rocks. The Alcmène had one seaman killed, and one petty officer and eight seamen wounded. The Naiad did not get near enough to sustain any loss ; nor had the Santa-Brigida herself any more than two seamen killed and eight wounded.
All four ships were over foul ground and with a breeze springing up from the shore, they were enabled to head out to sea. While the prizes and prisoners were being secured, four large ships, one with a Commodore's broad pendant, came out of Vigo, as if with the intention of attacking the British frigates. The latter immediately got ready to receive them but the Spaniards, suddenly put back to their port.
On the 21st the Thetis, and on the following day the Santa-Brigida, in company with the frigates which had captured them, arrived at Plymouth. The cargo of the Santa-Brigida consisted of two bales or serons of indigo, 26 of cochineal, 23 of cocoa, and 16 of sugar, of the estimated value, altogether, of about £5000. This frigate had also 446 boxes, containing each 3000 dollars, 59 bags of dollars, and many others of uncertain number, and three kegs likewise uncertain. Neither the Santa-Brigida nor the Thetis were considered eligible to be taken into the Royal Navy, the only interest the British had in them was their cargoes, the total value of which £311,690 in 1798 money. This was one of the largest hauls of prize money ever awarded for a single action. Today, it would have been worth over £40M. This was divided up according to the Prize Money rules as follows:
Captains - £40,730 18s or about £5.25M each in todays money
Lieutenants - £5091 7s 3d or about £653,000 each in todays money
Warrant Officers - £2468 10s 9d or about £320,000 in todays money
Midshipmen - £791 17s 0d or about £101,300 in todays money
Seamen and Marines - £182 4s 9d or about £23,500 in todays money.
For the common seamen, this huge sum, plus years worth of accumulated wages and prize and head money from other captures would have made them relatively wealthy men when they were eventually paid off.
The Action of the 16th of October 1799 by Thomas Whitcombe. In this painting, HMS Ethalion is engaging the Spanish frigate Thetis:
Despite the vast riches waiting for them when they paid off, the war and the never-ending blockade duty continued for HMS Triton and her crew. By September 1799, Captain Gore and his ship was still under the orders of Sir John Borlase Warren, by now a Rear-Admiral and on the 13th, Captain Gore wrote to his admiral as follows:
Triton, at Sea, September 13, 1799
SIR,
THIS Morning a Lugger came out of L'Orient, which, on coming near endeavoured to escape, but I got up with and captured her.
She is called Le St. Jacques, mounts Six Four-Pounders, and Sixteen Men, bound to Rochefort with a Cargo of Shells, consisting of Six Hundred and Sixty-two of Thirteen Inches, with other Things. She belongs to the Republic, is new, and in good Condition.
I remain, &c. &c. &c.
JOHN GORE.On the 10th February 1800, HMS Triton claimed another scalp when she captured the French privateer brig Vedette of 14 guns and 84 men off the Black Rocks. The Vedette was sent into Falmouth with a prize crew and was later purchased by the Navy Board and commissioned as the 14-gun Brig-sloop HMS Vidette.
On 12th March 1801, HMS Triton was off the Penmarks in chase of a French privateer cutter. At the time, Captain Gore was in his quarters, dining with Lieutenants Alford (Second), Thompson and the Purser. The gun captains on the port side had just declared themselves ready to fire and had just that instant been given the order to fire. At that point, Mr Alford got up to leave the cabin. As he opened the door, gun number 10 on the port side exploded. The explosion was so severe, that it ripped up the deck above, killed Mr Alford and a Gunners Mate, wounded 18 seamen and marines and blew Mr Thompson into the quarter gallery. By some miracle, the gun captain who fired the gun was unhurt. The following day, after the ship's return to Plymouth, the wounded were taken to the Naval Hospital and the dead were taken to the Stonehouse Chapel yard and were buried with full military honours in the presence of Captain Gore and the officers of HMS Triton. The service was conducted by the Reverend J. Bidlake, Chaplain to Rear-Admiral HRH the Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence.
Shortly after this incident, Captain Gore was replaced in command of HMS Triton by Captain Robert Lewis Fitzgerald.
On 27th March 1802, the Treaty of Amiens was signed, ending the war and in April, the ship paid off at Plymouth. Fourteen months later, the Peace of Amiens ended and what is known as the Napoleonic War began. In July 1803, HMS Triton recommissioned, but not in a sea-going role. The ship was, after all, lightly built from fir and was not expected to have a long career. Despite only being seven years old, HMS Triton was to be recommissioned as Guardship at the port of Waterford in Ireland.
After service as Guardship at Waterford for the rest of the war, HMS Triton was sold for breaking up in 1820. Although the design of HMS Triton was not used again, some of her groundbreaking features such as the shape of her bow and her sheer sides and square stern would be used in ship design much later on.
