HMS Epervier (1797)

The first HMS Epervier, sometimes spelled HMS Epervoir, was the French ex-naval brick-aviso and then privateer Épervier, launched in 1788. The British captured her in 1797 and registered her in 1798 as an 18-gun brig-sloop of the Royal Navy. The Navy never commissioned her and she was sold in 1801.

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

History
France
Name: Epervier
Namesake: The hawk
Builder: Benjamin Dubois, Montmarin (Saint Malo)
Laid down: October 1787
Launched: 23 February 1788
Captured: 12 November 1797
UK
Name: HMS Epervier
Acquired: By capture 12 November 1797
Commissioned: Never commissioned
Fate: Sold 7 September 1801
General characteristics [1]
Class and type: Expédition-class
Type: Brig-sloop
Tons burthen: 253 ​89⁄94 (bm)
Length:
  • 94 ft (28.7 m) (gundeck)
  • 76 ft 3 1⁄8 in (23.2 m) (keel)
Beam: 25 ft 0 1⁄4 in (7.6 m)
Depth of hold: 10 ft 7 in (3.2 m)
Sail plan: Brig
Complement:
  • Initially: 82 officers and men
  • Later (1794): 130
  • Privateer: 145
Armament:
  • Brick-aviso: 6 × 4-pounder guns (initially)
  • Privateer: 16 × 4-pounder guns
  • British service: 18 × 18-pounder carronades

Design

Epervier was an Expédition-class "brick-aviso" (advice brig). Benjamin Dubois built the six members of the class at Saint-Malo Montmarin to a 3 October 1787 design by Pierre-Alexandre-Laurent Forfait, and all were launched in 1788. They cost 86,000 Livre tournois each.[2]

The British captured two other members of the class, but never added them to the navy.[1] The two were Curieux (captured in June 1793),[3] and Impatient (captured in May 1803),[4] by Naiad.[5]

French service

Épervier was originally armed with six 4-pounder guns. In 1792 her armament was increased to ten 4-pounders and four 12-pounder howitzers. The next year she received six more 4-pounder guns. She was in dry-dock at Rochefort in 1795. In April 1797 she was condemned at Cayenne, but then became a privateer. Between 1794 and 1797, she carried eighteen 4-pounders and four two-pounder guns.[6]

Capture

Epervier was operating as a French privateer when HMS Cerberus, under the command of Captain John Drew, captured her. Cerberus was on the Irish station when on 12 and 14 November 1797 she captured two French privateers, Epervier and Renard. Both vessels were pierced for 20 guns, were copper-bottomed, quite new, and fast sailers. Epervier was armed with sixteen 4-pounder guns and had a crew of 145 men. Renard carried eighteen 6-pounders and had a crew of 189 men.[7] Lloyd's List reported Cerberus's capture of two privateers, one of 30 guns and one of 18, and the arrival of both at Cork.[8]

Between these two captures, Cerberus recaptured the Adelphi, prize to Epervier.[7] Adelphi, Patterson, master, had been sailing from Quebec to London when Epervier captured her; she too went into Cork.[8] Epervier arrived at Plymouth on 12 January 1798, and was registered on 14 February. However, the Navy never commissioned her.[1] The Navy did take Renard into service, retaining her name; she served until 1807.[1] Although the Navy did not commission Epervier/Epervoir, two legal notices in the London Gazette give the names of two men, one of whom is described as a master on Epervoir, and one of whom is named as having been a lieutenant on her.

Fate

The Commissioners of the Navy listed Epervoir, of 254 tons burthen, for sale at Plymouth in August 1801.[9] She was sold on 7 September 1801.[1]

Citations and references

Citations

  1. Winfield (2008), pp. 266 & 286.
  2. Demerliac (1996), p.82, #536.
  3. Demerliac (1996), p.82, #537.
  4. Demerliac (1996), p. 83, #541.
  5. "No. 15591". The London Gazette. 2 June 1803. p. 678.
  6. Demerliac (1996), p. 82, #538.
  7. "No. 14069". The London Gazette. 22 November 1797. p. 1140.
  8. Lloyd's List, no.2971, - accessed 31 January 2014.
  9. "No. 15397". The London Gazette. 15 August 1801. p. 1008.

References

  • Colledge, J.J. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of the Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy From the Fifteenth Century to the Present. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1987. ISBN 0-87021-652-X.
  • Demerliac, Alain (1996) La Marine De Louis XVI: Nomenclature Des Navires Français De 1774 À 1792. (Nice: Éditions OMEGA).
  • Winfield, Rif (2008). British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates. Seaforth. ISBN 1-86176-246-1.
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