HMS Topaze (1793)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Topaze.

HMS Topaze was a Royal Navy 32-gun frigate, originally built in 1791 as a French Magicienne class frigate. In 1793 she was captured by Lord Hood's fleet off Toulon and taken into British service under the same name.

British service

In 1796, Topaze was under the command of Captain S. G. Church, operating out of Portsmouth. In 1800 she captured a few small prizes and in 1801 sailed to the Mediterranean under the command of Captain Willoughby Lake. In 1804 and 1805, Lake captured two privateers, the Minerve and the General Augereau. On 7 May 1805, Lake and Topaze captured the Napoleon at sea. Napoleon was armed with 20 guns and had a crew of 108 men. Then on 20 May, Topaze captured the brig Felix. Felix armed with 14 guns and had a crew of 85 men.

In 1808, Topaze sailed to the Mediterranean and in 1809 she joined the forces operating in the Adriatic campaign of 1807-1814. Off Albania, Topaze captured a French coastal convoy in a boat action.

In 1809, Captain Henry Hope took command of Topaze and operated off the coast of Spain. In October she chased a convoy into Rosas Bay and captured the ships, using her boats to seize them and drag them out. She also was involved in the Battle of Fuengirola in October 1810.

Fate

In 1812, HMS Topaze was laid up at Portsmouth, and she was broken up in 1814.

Notes

• Ships of the Old Navy