HMS Amaranthe (1804)
| Career (United Kingdom) |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | HMS Amaranthe |
| Builder: | John Dudman, Deptford Wharf, London |
| Launched: | 1804 |
| Honours and awards: |
|
| Fate: | Sold in 1815 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Cruizer-class brig-sloop |
| Tons burthen: | 385 bm |
| Length: |
100 ft (30 m) (overall) 77 ft 3.5 in (23.559 m) (keel) |
| Beam: | 30 ft 6 in (9.30 m) |
| Depth of hold: | 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m) |
| Propulsion: | Sails |
| Sail plan: | Brig-sloop |
| Complement: | 121 |
| Armament: |
|
HMS Amaranthe was an 18-gun Royal Navy Cruizer class brig-sloop built by John Dudman at Deptford Wharf and launched in 1804.[1] She served in the Caribbean, taking part in two actions that gained those members of her crew that survived until 1847 the Naval General Service Medal. She was sold in 1815.
Service
Amaranthe entered service in January 1805 under Cmdr. Edward Pelham Brenton. She deployed to the North Sea and then sailed for the Leeward Islands on 20 April 1898. After joining a squadron gathered off Barbados for the invasion of Martinique, Amaranthe participated in blockading the French West Indian islands.
On 13 December 1808 Amaranthe joined Circe and Stork in destroying the French 16-gun schooner Cygne and two other schooners near Pearl Rock, Saint-Pierre, Martinique.[1] The French vessels had already inflicted heavy casualties on the British vessels before Amaranthe arrived. Fire from Amaranthe compelled the crew of Cygne to abandon her and Amaranthe's boats boarded and destroyed the French vessel. For her part Amaranthe lost one man killed and five wounded due to fire from batteries on the shore.
Brenton then volunteered to destroy the schooner grounded near Cygne. Amaranthe's boats, assisted by boats from the schooner Express, boarded the schooner and set fire to her too. This expedition cost Amaranthe her sailing master, Joshua Jones, who was severely wounded. The other British vessels that contributed boats also had casualties. Including the losses in the earlier fighting before Amaranthe arrived, the British had lost some 12 men killed, 31 wounded, and 26 missing (drowned or prisoners) for little gain. Brenton was promoted to Post-captain soon after the battle, with the promotion being back dated to 13 December, the date of the battle. In 1847 the Admiralty authorized the Naval General Service Medal with the clasp "OFF THE PEARL ROCK 13 DECR. 1808".
Amaranthe then took a number of prizes. However, Brenton unfortunately was cheated out of his share of the prize money by his agent. Command passed to Cmdr. George Pringle in December 1808, but he was in command of Pultask and did not actually assume command until after January 1809.
Amaranthe took part in the successful invasion of Martinique in February 1809. During this campaign Pelham served on shore with a detachment of sailors and held the temporary Army rank of Lieut. Colonel. In 1847 the Admiralty authorized Naval General Service Medal with clasp "MARTINIQUE".
Cmdr. Richard Yates assumed command in July 1814.[1]
Fate
Amaranthe saw no further significant service and was sold at Woolwich on 12 October 1815 for ₤900.[1]
References
- Ships of the Old Navy
- Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth. ISBN 1861762461.
