HMS Mistletoe (1809)

HMS Mistletoe was launched in Bermuda in 1809 and foundered in 1816.

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

History
United Kingdom
Name: Mistletoe
Ordered: February 1808
Builder: Hill, Bermuda
Laid down: 1808
Launched: 1809
Fate: Foundered 14 December 1816
General characteristics All measurements are design[1]
Class and type: Shamrock-class schooner
Tons burthen: 150​32⁄94, or 172[2] (bm)
Length:
  • Overall:78 ft 8 in (24.0 m)
  • Keel:60 ft 8 1⁄8 in (18.5 m)
Beam: 21 ft 7 in (6.6 m)
Depth of hold: 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m)
Sail plan: schooner
Complement:
  • Establishment:50
  • At loss:37,[3] or 42[4]
Armament: 8 × 12=pounder carronades + 2 × 6–pounder guns
Notes: Bermudan cedar

Career

Lieutenant Robert Ramsay was appointed to command of Mistletoe on 12 November 1808 and fitted her out.[5]

Mistletoe was employed in protecting the British interests in the Rio de la Plata.[5]

From 25 May 1809, Mistletoe was in company with Agamemnon, Mutine, Foudroyant, and Brilliant, escorting a convoy. On 8 June they entered Moldonado Bay at the mouth of the Río de la Plata.

On 16 June Agamemnon struck an uncharted shoal near Gorriti Island. She couldn't be gotten off and on 17 June, with the ship listing heavily to starboard, Agamemnon's stores and all her crew were taken off by boats from other vessels in the squadron; the following day Captain Rose and his officers left the ship. Mistletoe was one of the vessels coming to Agamemnon's assistance.

Mistletoe, Mutine, Nancy, and the hired armed brig Pitt were anchored in the harbour of Buenos Aires on 25 May 1810 during May Week, when the revolution broke out in the city.

On the deposition of the Brazilian Viceroy, consequent on the revolution of 25 May 1810, Lieutenant Ramsay took charge of his Excellency's family, and, as he did of that of another ex-Viceroy, conveyed them, with several persons of distinction, at his own expense, to Montevideo.[5]

Mistletoe departed for England for the purpose of being paid off in the early part of 1811.[5]

Between 12 April and 29 October 1811 Mistletoe was at Portsmouth, undergoing fitting. In 1812–1813 she was in the Channel under (temp) Lieutenant Joseph Williams.[1]

Fate

Mistletoe was serving as a tender to the flagship at Portsmouth and was stationed at Brighton Roads to cruise against smugglers. She was under the command of Lieutenant Wade Blake. He was ordered to cruise between Beachy Head and the Isle of Wight. On 14 December 1816 HMS Algerine sighted Mistletoe some eight miles from Dunnose in a storm of wind. She was never seen again. It was presumed that Mistletoe had foundered soon after.[2]

In early January 2017 a wreck was discovered that was initially believed to be that of Mistletoe,[4] but it turned out to be that of a merchantman.[3]

Citations and references

Citations

  1. Winfield (2008), pp. 262–263.
  2. Hepper (1994), p. 155.
  3. "(untitled)". The Times (10050). London. 21 January 1817. col D, p. 3.
  4. "Ship News." Times, 15 Jan. 1817, p. 3. The Times Digital Archive. Accessed 24 October 2019.
  5. Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Review, Vol. 196, November 1854, p.514.

References

  • Hepper, David J. (1994). British Warship Losses in the Age of Sail, 1650–1859. Rotherfield: Jean Boudriot. ISBN 0-948864-30-3.
  • Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 1-86176-246-1.
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