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{{short description|Ship of the line of the French Navy}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
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|Ship honours=
|Ship honours=
|Ship Handed over= 29 August 1793 at Toulon
|Ship Handed over= 29 August 1793 at Toulon
|Ship fate=
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=title
|Hide header=title
|Ship country=[[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|UK]]
|Ship country=Great Britain
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Kingdom of Great Britain|naval}}
|Ship flag=[[File:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|60px|Royal Navy Ensign]]
|Ship name=''Puissant''
|Ship name=''Puissant''
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched=
|Ship acquired=29 August 1793 by surrender
|Ship acquired=29 August 1793 by surrender
|Ship commissioned=
|Ship commissioned=
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|Ship captured=
|Ship captured=
|Ship fate=Sold 1816
|Ship fate=Sold 1816
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Header caption=<ref name=Winfield/>
|Header caption={{sfnp|Winfield|2008|p=69}}
|Ship class=[[Pégase class ship of the line|''Pégase'' class]]
|Ship class=[[Pégase class ship of the line|''Pégase'' class]]
|Ship type=[[Third rate]]
|Ship type=[[Third rate]]
|Ship tonnage=1799 <small>{{fraction|49|94}}</small> ([[Builder's Old Measurement|bm]])
|Ship tons burthen=1799{{small|{{fraction|49|94}}}} ([[Builder's Old Measurement|bm]])
|Ship length=*{{convert|178|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}} (overall)
|Ship length=*{{convert|178|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}} (overall)
*{{convert|146|ft|5+1/2|in|m|abbr=on}} (keel)
*{{convert|146|ft|5+1/2|in|m|abbr=on}} (keel)
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''Puissant'' was built in 1781-82 to a design by [[Antoine Groignard]] as a [[Pégase class ship of the line|''Pégase'' class]] [[74-gun]] ship of the line. Her captain handed her over to the British at Toulon on 29 August 1793. She arrived at Portsmouth on 3 May 1794. She then remained there as an unarmed receiving ship, sheer hulk, and flagship until her sale in 1816.
'''''Puissant''''' was built in 1781-82 to a design by [[Antoine Groignard]] as a [[Pégase class ship of the line|''Pégase'' class]] [[74-gun]] ship of the line. Her captain handed her over to the British at Toulon on 29 August 1793. She arrived at Portsmouth on 3 May 1794. She then remained there as an unarmed [[receiving ship]], [[Hulk (ship type)#Sheer hulk|sheer hulk]], and flagship until her sale in 1816.


==British career==
==British career==
On 28 August 1793, Admiral [[Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood|Lord Hood]] of the [[Royal Navy]] and Admiral [[Juan de Lángara]] of the [[Spanish Navy]], committed a force of 13,000 British, Spanish, [[Kingdom of the Two Sicilies|Neapolitan]] and [[Piedmont]]ese troops to the French royalists' cause at [[Siege of Toulon|Toulon]]. The next day, the royalists handed over a number of their vessels to the British.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=13613|startpage=44|endpage=45|date=17 January 1794}}</ref>
On 28 August 1793, Admiral [[Samuel Hood, 1st Viscount Hood|Lord Hood]] of the [[Royal Navy]] and Admiral [[Juan de Lángara]] of the [[Spanish Navy]], committed a force of 13,000 British, Spanish, [[Kingdom of the Two Sicilies|Neapolitan]] and [[Piedmont]]ese troops to the French royalists' cause at [[Siege of Toulon|Toulon]]. The next day, the royalists handed over a number of their vessels to the British.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=13613|pages=44–45|date=17 January 1794}}</ref>


''Puissant'' was under the command of Mon. Ferrand. After her hand-over to British control she spent several weeks laying opposite and firing on a shore battery of 24-pounders at the head of La Seine in Toulon harbor. She then sailed to Portsmouth, arriving there on 3 May 1794. The British government awarded Ferrand a pension of £200 per annum for his services.<ref>''Naval Chronicle'', Vol. 2, p.199.</ref>
''Puissant'' was under the command of Mon. Ferrand. After her hand-over to British control she spent several weeks laying opposite and firing on a shore battery of 24-pounders at the head of La Seine in Toulon harbor. She then sailed to Portsmouth, arriving there on 3 May 1794. The British government awarded Ferrand a pension of £200 per annum for his services.<ref>''Naval Chronicle'', Vol. 2, p.199.</ref>


In February and March 1796 ''Puissant'' was fitted as a receiving ship (at a cost of £10,044) and was commissioned in April under Commander David Hotchkiss.<ref name=Winfield>Winfield (2008), p.69.</ref> From March 1798 she was under the command of Lieutenant R. Allen, in March 1799 under Lieutenant J. Baker, and then between October 1799 and 1801 under Commander William Syme.<ref name=Winfield/>
In February and March 1796 ''Puissant'' was fitted as a receiving ship (at a cost of £10,044) and was commissioned in April under Commander David Hotchkiss.{{sfnp|Winfield|2008|p=69}} From March 1798 she was under the command of Lieutenant R. Allen, in March 1799 under Lieutenant J. Baker, and then between October 1799 and 1801 under Commander William Syme.{{sfnp|Winfield|2008|p=69}}


In 1803 Lieutenant James Bowen recommissioned her as a receiving ship. Later that year she became a sheer hulk under Commander James Irwin who remained her captain through 1810. Captain Charles William Paterson succeeded Irwin in 1811 and remained in command until 12 August 1812. In September 1812 Captain Benjamin Page became her captain and she served as the flagship for Admiral Sir [[Sir Richard Bickerton, 2nd Baronet|Richard Bickerton]]. She was paid off (decommissioned) in October 1815, and sold on 11 July 1816 (for £2,250) to be taken to pieces.
In 1803 Lieutenant James Bowen recommissioned her as a receiving ship. Later that year she became a sheer hulk.{{sfnp|Winfield|2008|p=69}}

Captain Robert Hall assumed command in 1809.<ref>{{cite book|author=Sylvanus Urban (pseud. van Edward Cave.)|title=Gentleman's Magazine, Or Monthly Intelligencer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bPRfAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA207|volume=53|year=1842|publisher=Edward Cave|page=207}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Salisbury and Winchester Journal|issue=3772|page=4|date=5 June 1809}}</ref> Later that same year James Nehemiah Taylor, surgeon of HMS ''Jamaica'', was held prisoner on board ''Puissant'' while awaiting execution for the crime of [[buggery]]. The sentence was carried out shortly before 11 o’clock on 30 December 1809 on board HMS ''Jamaica''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sun (London)|issue=5400|page=4|date=2 January 1810}}</ref>

Commander James Irwin replaced Captain Hall in April 1810, who moved to HMS ''[[HMS Prince (1670)|Royal William]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Star (London)|issue=7202|page=3|date=3 April 1810}}</ref> Captain [[Charles William Paterson]] succeeded Irwin in 1811 and remained in command until 12 August 1812. In September 1812 Captain [[Benjamin William Page]] became captain of ''Puissant'' and she served as the flagship for Admiral Sir [[Sir Richard Bickerton, 2nd Baronet|Richard Bickerton]]. She was paid off (decommissioned) in October 1815, and sold on 11 July 1816 (for £2,250) to be [[Ship breaking|broken up]].


==Prize-money==
==Prize-money==
Although ''Puissant'' was unarmed and confined to port, her crew did earn prize money on three occasions.
Although ''Puissant'' was unarmed and confined to port, her crew did earn prize money on three occasions.
On 26 October 1807, Tsar [[Alexander I of Russia]] declared war on Great Britain. The official news did not arrive there until 2 December, at which time the British declared an embargo on all Russian vessels in British ports. ''Puissant'' was one of some 70 vessels that shared in the seizure of the 44-gun Russian frigate ''Speshnoy'' (''Speshnyy''), then in Portsmouth harbour. The British seized the Russian storeship ''Wilhelmina'' (''Vilghemina'') at the same time.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16276|startpage=1129|date=15 July 1809}}</ref> The Russian vessels were carrying the payroll for Vice-Admiral [[Dmitry Senyavin]]’s squadron in the Mediterranean.<ref>Tredea & Sozaev (2010), p. 198 & p.391.</ref>{{#tag:ref|An able seaman on any one of the 70 British vessels received 14[[shilling|s]] 7½[[pence|d]] in prize money.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16195|startpage=1460|date=25 October 1808}}</ref>|group=Note}}
On 26 October 1807, Tsar [[Alexander I of Russia]] declared war on Great Britain. The official news did not arrive there until 2 December, at which time the British declared an embargo on all Russian vessels in British ports. ''Puissant'' was one of some 70 vessels that shared in the seizure of the 44-gun Russian frigate ''Speshnoy'' (''Speshnyy''), then in Portsmouth harbour. The British seized the Russian storeship ''Wilhelmina'' (''Vilghemina'') at the same time.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16276|page=1129|date=15 July 1809}}</ref> The Russian vessels were carrying the payroll for Vice-Admiral [[Dmitry Senyavin]]’s squadron in the Mediterranean.{{sfnp|Tredrea|Sozaev|2010|p=198 & p.391}}{{efn|An able seaman on any one of the 70 British vessels received 14[[shilling|s]] 7½[[pence|d]] in prize money.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=16195|page=1460|date=25 October 1808}}</ref>}}


Then on 27 August 1808, ''Puissant'' and the "armed cutter" {{HMS|Linnet|1806|2}} shared in the detention of the Danish ship ''Deodaris''.<ref>{{London Gazette|startpage=531|issue=16465|date=19 March 1811}}</ref> At the time, ''Linnet'' may have been acting as a tender to ''Puissant''.
Then on 27 August 1808, ''Puissant'' and the "armed cutter" {{HMS|Linnet|1806|2}} shared in the detention of the Danish ship ''Deodaris''.<ref>{{London Gazette|page=531|issue=16465|date=19 March 1811}}</ref> At the time, ''Linnet'' may have been acting as a tender to ''Puissant''.


Lastly, when news of the outbreak of the [[War of 1812]] reached Britain, the Royal Navy seized all American vessels then in British ports. ''Puissant'' was among the Royal Navy vessels then lying at Spithead or Portsmouth and so entitled to share in the grant for the American ships ''Belleville'', ''Janus'', ''Aeos'', ''Ganges'' and ''Leonidas'' seized there on 31 July 1812.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=17124|startpage=327|date=2 April 1816}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|A first-class share was worth £20 19s 0d; a sixth-class share, that of an ordinary seaman, was worth 4s 1d; the Commander in Chief received £230 10s 8d.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=17135|startpage=880|date=30 October 1821}}</ref>|group=Note}}
Lastly, when news of the outbreak of the [[War of 1812]] reached Britain, the Royal Navy seized all American vessels then in British ports. ''Puissant'' was among the Royal Navy vessels then lying at Spithead or Portsmouth and so entitled to share in the grant for the American ships ''Belleville'', ''Janus'', ''Aeos'', ''Ganges'', and ''Leonidas'' seized there on 31 July 1812.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=17124|page=327|date=2 April 1816}}</ref>{{efn|A first-class share was worth £20 19s 0d; a sixth-class share, that of an ordinary seaman, was worth 4s 1d; the Commander in Chief received £230 10s 8d.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=17135|page=880|date=30 October 1821}}</ref>}}


==Fate==
==Fate==
''Puissant'' was paid off in October 1815. She was then sold on 11 July 1816 for £2,250.<ref name=Winfield/>
''Puissant'' was paid off in October 1815. She was then sold on 11 July 1816 for £2,250.{{sfnp|Winfield|2008|p=69}}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of ships captured in the 18th century]]
*[[List of ships captured in the 18th century]]


==Notes, citations, and references==
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
'''Notes'''

{{reflist|group=Note}}
'''Citations'''
==Citations==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}

'''References'''
==References==
*Tredrea, John and Eduard Sozaev (2010) ''Russian Warships in the Age of Sail, 1696-1860''. (Seaforth). ISBN 978-1-84832-058-1
*{{cite book |first=Rif|last=Winfield|title=British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793&ndash;1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates|publisher=Seaforth|year=2008|isbn=1-86176-246-1}}
* {{cite book |first1=John|last1=Tredrea|first2=Eduard|last2=Sozaev|title=Russian Warships in the Age of Sail 1696–1860|publisher=Seaforth|year=2010|isbn=978-1-84832-058-1}}
* {{cite book |first=Rif|last=Winfield|title=British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates|publisher=Seaforth Publishing|year=2008|isbn=978-1-86176-246-7}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Puissant (1782)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Puissant (1782)}}

Latest revision as of 18:32, 20 August 2024

History
French Royal Navy Ensign French Navy EnsignFrance
NamePuissant
BuilderLorient
Laid downAugust 1781
Launched13 March 1782
Great Britain
NamePuissant
Acquired29 August 1793 by surrender
FateSold 1816
General characteristics [1]
Class and typePégase class
TypeThird rate
Tons burthen17994994 (bm)
Length
  • 178 ft 9 in (54.48 m) (overall)
  • 146 ft 5+12 in (44.641 m) (keel)
Beam48 ft 0+34 in (14.649 m)
Depth of hold21 ft 4 in (6.50 m)
PropulsionSails
Armament
  • French service:
  • Lower deck: 28 × 36-pounder guns
  • Upper deck: 28 × 18-pounder guns
  • QD: 14 × 8-pounder guns
  • Fc: 4 × 8-pounder guns
  • British service: Not armed

Puissant was built in 1781-82 to a design by Antoine Groignard as a Pégase class 74-gun ship of the line. Her captain handed her over to the British at Toulon on 29 August 1793. She arrived at Portsmouth on 3 May 1794. She then remained there as an unarmed receiving ship, sheer hulk, and flagship until her sale in 1816.

British career

[edit]

On 28 August 1793, Admiral Lord Hood of the Royal Navy and Admiral Juan de Lángara of the Spanish Navy, committed a force of 13,000 British, Spanish, Neapolitan and Piedmontese troops to the French royalists' cause at Toulon. The next day, the royalists handed over a number of their vessels to the British.[2]

Puissant was under the command of Mon. Ferrand. After her hand-over to British control she spent several weeks laying opposite and firing on a shore battery of 24-pounders at the head of La Seine in Toulon harbor. She then sailed to Portsmouth, arriving there on 3 May 1794. The British government awarded Ferrand a pension of £200 per annum for his services.[3]

In February and March 1796 Puissant was fitted as a receiving ship (at a cost of £10,044) and was commissioned in April under Commander David Hotchkiss.[1] From March 1798 she was under the command of Lieutenant R. Allen, in March 1799 under Lieutenant J. Baker, and then between October 1799 and 1801 under Commander William Syme.[1]

In 1803 Lieutenant James Bowen recommissioned her as a receiving ship. Later that year she became a sheer hulk.[1]

Captain Robert Hall assumed command in 1809.[4][5] Later that same year James Nehemiah Taylor, surgeon of HMS Jamaica, was held prisoner on board Puissant while awaiting execution for the crime of buggery. The sentence was carried out shortly before 11 o’clock on 30 December 1809 on board HMS Jamaica.[6]

Commander James Irwin replaced Captain Hall in April 1810, who moved to HMS Royal William.[7] Captain Charles William Paterson succeeded Irwin in 1811 and remained in command until 12 August 1812. In September 1812 Captain Benjamin William Page became captain of Puissant and she served as the flagship for Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton. She was paid off (decommissioned) in October 1815, and sold on 11 July 1816 (for £2,250) to be broken up.

Prize-money

[edit]

Although Puissant was unarmed and confined to port, her crew did earn prize money on three occasions. On 26 October 1807, Tsar Alexander I of Russia declared war on Great Britain. The official news did not arrive there until 2 December, at which time the British declared an embargo on all Russian vessels in British ports. Puissant was one of some 70 vessels that shared in the seizure of the 44-gun Russian frigate Speshnoy (Speshnyy), then in Portsmouth harbour. The British seized the Russian storeship Wilhelmina (Vilghemina) at the same time.[8] The Russian vessels were carrying the payroll for Vice-Admiral Dmitry Senyavin’s squadron in the Mediterranean.[9][a]

Then on 27 August 1808, Puissant and the "armed cutter" Linnet shared in the detention of the Danish ship Deodaris.[11] At the time, Linnet may have been acting as a tender to Puissant.

Lastly, when news of the outbreak of the War of 1812 reached Britain, the Royal Navy seized all American vessels then in British ports. Puissant was among the Royal Navy vessels then lying at Spithead or Portsmouth and so entitled to share in the grant for the American ships Belleville, Janus, Aeos, Ganges, and Leonidas seized there on 31 July 1812.[12][b]

Fate

[edit]

Puissant was paid off in October 1815. She was then sold on 11 July 1816 for £2,250.[1]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ An able seaman on any one of the 70 British vessels received 14sd in prize money.[10]
  2. ^ A first-class share was worth £20 19s 0d; a sixth-class share, that of an ordinary seaman, was worth 4s 1d; the Commander in Chief received £230 10s 8d.[13]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Winfield (2008), p. 69.
  2. ^ "No. 13613". The London Gazette. 17 January 1794. pp. 44–45.
  3. ^ Naval Chronicle, Vol. 2, p.199.
  4. ^ Sylvanus Urban (pseud. van Edward Cave.) (1842). Gentleman's Magazine, Or Monthly Intelligencer. Vol. 53. Edward Cave. p. 207.
  5. ^ "Salisbury and Winchester Journal". No. 3772. 5 June 1809. p. 4.
  6. ^ "Sun (London)". No. 5400. 2 January 1810. p. 4.
  7. ^ "Star (London)". No. 7202. 3 April 1810. p. 3.
  8. ^ "No. 16276". The London Gazette. 15 July 1809. p. 1129.
  9. ^ Tredrea & Sozaev (2010), p. 198 & p.391.
  10. ^ "No. 16195". The London Gazette. 25 October 1808. p. 1460.
  11. ^ "No. 16465". The London Gazette. 19 March 1811. p. 531.
  12. ^ "No. 17124". The London Gazette. 2 April 1816. p. 327.
  13. ^ "No. 17135". The London Gazette. 30 October 1821. p. 880.

References

[edit]
  • Tredrea, John; Sozaev, Eduard (2010). Russian Warships in the Age of Sail 1696–1860. Seaforth. ISBN 978-1-84832-058-1.
  • Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-86176-246-7.