HMS Charybdis (1809)
HMS Charybdis was a Royal Navy Cruizer class brig-sloop built by Mark Richards & John Davidson at Hythe, and launched in 1809.[1] She captured two American prizes during the War of 1812 before she was laid up in 1815 and sold in 1819.
Service
She was commissioned in September 1809 under Cmdr. Robert Fowler, who sailed her for the Leeward Islands on 22 January 1810. On 20 April 1811 Cmdr. James Clephan took command.[1] On 8 October 1812 Charybdis captured the brig William Rathbone. Then on 31 October she captured the American privateer schooner Blockade and her 66 man crew in the Sombrero Passage near Saba Rock.[1] During the five-hour chase Blockade threw nine of her 10 guns overboard in an attempt to gain speed.
In September Charybdis sailed from Portsmouth with a convoy for Cork, and then went on to America via Halifax. She was present at the Battle of New Orleans and then sailed back to Britain with despatches.
Fate
Charybdis sailed from Portsmouth on 10 August 1815 and shortly thereafter was paid off at Deptford in 1815. She was laid up at Deptford until 1819. She was sold to Thomas Pittman on 3 February 1819 for £1,100.[1]
References
Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth. ISBN 1861762461.
