HMS Ramillies (1785)
| History | |
|---|---|
 UK | |
| Name | HMS Ramillies |
| Ordered | 19 June 1782 |
| Builder | Randall, Rotherhithe |
| Laid down | December 1782 |
| Launched | 12 July 1785 |
| Fate | Broken up, February 1850 |
| General characteristics [1] | |
| Class and type | Culloden-class ship of the line |
| Tons burthen | 1677 17⁄94 (bm) |
| Length | 170 ft 4 in (51.92 m) (gundeck); 1,390 ft 9 in (423.90 m) (keel) |
| Beam | 47 ft 6 in (14.48 m) |
| Depth of hold | 19 ft 11+1⁄2 in (6.083 m) |
| Propulsion | Sails |
| Sail plan | Full rigged ship |
| Armament | list error: <br /> list (help) Gundeck: 28 × 32-pounder guns |
HMS Ramillies was a 74-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched on 12 July 1785 at Rotherhithe.[1]
In 1801, she was part of Admiral Sir Hyde Parker's reserve squadron at the Battle of Copenhagen, and so did not take an active part in the battle.[citation needed]
War of 1812
In August 1812, Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy took command of Ramillies and was sent to North America at the outbreak of the War of 1812. Hardy, in Ramillies, led the fleet that escorted and transported the army commanded by John Coape Sherbrooke which captured significant portions of eastern coastal Maine (then part of Massachusetts), including Fort Sullivan, Eastport, Machias, Bangor, and Castine.[2]
However, on 10 August 1814, a landing party from Ramillies was defeated at Stonington, Connecticut. The party was to have burned Stonington Borough and the shipping, but was repulsed.
During the Battle of North Point, a composite battalion of Royal Marines, from HMS Tonnant, HMS Ramillies, HMS Albion and HMS Royal Oak were landed, under the command of Brevet Major John Robyns.[3] The two fatalities were from HMS Ramillies. [4] [5]
Post-war
In June 1815 Ramillies was under the command of Captain Charles Ogle. In November, Captain Thomas Boys replaced Ogle, while Rear-Admiral Sir William Hope raised his flag in her at Leith.[6]
In June 1818 Ramillies was at Sheerness, being fitted as a guardship. Captain Aiskew Hollis took command in September as Ramillies took up a post as guardship at Portsmouth.[6] While at Portsmouth she employed a HMS Viper as a tender. On 30 November 1820 and the 6 February 1821, Viper made some captures, presumably of smugglers, that resulted in a payment of prize money not only to the officers and crew of Viper, but also of Ramillies.[Note 1]
In August 1821, Ramillies came under the command of Captain Edward Brace and served in the Downs on the Coastal Blockade.[6] She then underwent repairs between May 1822 and June 1823, and was fitted for a guardship at Portsmouth again. In May 1823 Captain William M'Cullock took command. In November 1825 Captain Hugh Pigot replaced M'Cullock. The Admiralty ordered Ramillies to the Reserve for Harbour Service in 1830, and Ramillies was on harbour service from 1831.[6]
In June 1831 Ramillies was at Chatham Dockyard, being fitted as a lazarette. She then moved to Sheerness to serve in that capacity. Ramillies was eventually broken up at Sheerness in February 1850.[6]
Footnotes
- Notes
- ^ The Flag officers share was worth £43 8s 5¾d. A first-class, i.e., Hollis's share, was worth £165 7s 2½d. A sixth-class share, that of an ordinary seaman on Ramillies, was worth £2 9s 7¼d. For Viper's crew, a second-class share, that of her commanding officer, was worth £37 2s 2¾d; a sixth-class share was worth £4 0s 9¾d.[7]
- Citations
- ^ a b Lavery, Ships of the Line, vol. 1, p. 180.
- ^ Maine League of Historical Societies and Museums (1970). Doris A. Isaacson (ed.). Maine: A Guide 'Down East'. Rockland, Me: Courier-Gazette, Inc. p. 336.
- ^ Crawford, p273 with reference to Rear Admiral Codrington's memo dated 11 September 1814
- ^ "War of 1812 Casualty Database [of Crown Forces]". Retrieved 18 February 2013.
- ^ "No. 16947". The London Gazette. 17 October 1814.
- ^ a b c d e Winfield (2008), pp.60-1.
- ^ "No. 17705". The London Gazette. 12 May 1821.
References
- Crawford, Michael J. (Ed) (2002). The Naval War of 1812: A Documentary History, Vol. 3. Washington: United States Department of Defense. ISBN 9780160512247
- Lavery, Brian (2003) The Ship of the Line - Volume 1: The development of the battlefleet 1650-1850. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-252-8.
- Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth. ISBN 1-86176-246-1.